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Benton MacKaye
Trail Assn.

Activities Calendar

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Overview

Below are listed scheduled activities of the BMTA, current and past, for 2009.  This year work trips will be held on the second Saturday of the month in Georgia and on the fourth Saturday in Tennessee/North Carolina.  Recreational outings (Fun Hikes) are planned on other weekends to avoid scheduling conflicts and are set up as hike leaders become available.

All Are Welcome

The BMTA welcomes all who would like to participate in any scheduled activity. Members and non-members alike are encouraged to join in; no experience is necessary.

Notes

  • Be sure to confirm event details with the activity leader in advance.
  • If you would be interested in leading, or learning how to lead an activity, please contact us.
  • Email addresses of event leaders can be found in the monthly newsletter (free with membership) but are not listed here so as to avoid spammers.

 

Current Events 2009
MonthDateLocation & Details
January January 10 GEORGIA WORK TRIP:  Georgia work-trips return to the 2nd Saturday after a four year hiatus.  We work on Section Seven refreshing side-hilling several places through the Sisson Property.  This worksite allows us to avoid early morning driving on back roads during January, aka Black Ice Month. We meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:30AM (note the later start) or at the Sisson Pavilion (aka The World Headquarters) at 9:15AM. After the trip, for those who wish, Jane Keene’s Semi-Legendary Hearty Vegetable Chowder will be served at the Keene’s cabin, near our worksite.  Trip leader is Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, or, the night before only, 770-722-6016.
 January24

TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP:  BMT Section 12d - McFarland Road (FS 23) to White Oak Flats Road (FS 103) at Lost Creek Campground (Distance 3.9 miles).  We will go in from the McFarland Road trail crossing and log out and cut brush to standards with chain saws and gas-powered brush cutters as far down the trail as possible, hopefully all the way to White Oak Flats Road.  Much of this section is on an old gated forest service road which will probably need little work, so we should be able to make it all the way through.  We will also hope to put in a sign post at a frequently missed right turn in a clearing about half way down this trail.

MEETING LOCATION:  We will meet at the entrance to the Lost Creek Campground on White Oak Flats Road at 8 AM but will park our shuttle cars where the trail leaves the road about a half mile west of the campground.  We will then carpool to the McFarland Road trail crossing.  We may be able to have some people meet us at McFarland Road trail crossing at 9 AM without first going to Lost Creek.  We will work this out once we know who is coming.

LEADER:  Rick Harris, 423-253-6358 (home); 513-260-1184 (cell).  Please notify Rick in advance of the work trip of your plans to come and what tools you will be bringing.  The section maintainer is Bill Lundin.

BRING:  We need gas powered brush cutters as well.  Also, loppers and swing blades can be used.  Bring gloves and safety glasses and a helmet if you have one.  We have a few helmets to loan out.  Bring lunch and water.
FebruaryFebruary 14 GEORGIA WORK TRIP:  We will work on beautiful, isolated Section 8 between Double Hogpen and Halloway Gaps.  We will refresh side-hilling on the Dominy Knob relo of a couple of years ago and clear the new growth from the campsite at Halloway Gap.  Meet for breakfast at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8AM or at the Dyer Gap trailhead at 9:20am.  We will carpool from Dyer up FS64A to the Flat Top Mountain trailhead.  Trip leader George Owen, 706-897-3366.
 February 28

TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP: BMT Section 12e - White Oak Flats Road (FS 103) near Lost Creek Campground to near Reliance (Total distance about 4.0 miles, but only about 2.7 miles will require maintenance).  We will go in from the White Oak Flats Road trail crossing near Lost Creek Campground and log out and cut brush to standards with chain saws and gas-powered brush cutters as far down the trail as possible, hopefully all the way to the point where we meet the forest service road near Reliance, a distance of about 2.7 miles.  The first 0.3 miles along White Oak Flats Road and the last mile along FS 173 will not require any work since it follows a roadbed which is kept clear for vehicles.  Much of this section is on an old unmaintained roadbed along the banks of Lost Creek which horse riders often help clear out for their use, so we should be able to make it all the way through.  We will end our day at the maintained forest service road 173 near Reliance where we will have shuttle cars parked.

MEETING LOCATION:  We will meet at the railroad trestle by the canoe livery in Reliance at 8 AM and park some cars as far up FS 173 as we can go, then shuttle to the Lost Creek Campground on White Oak Flats Road, arriving there about 9 AM.  We may be able to have some people meet us at the Lost Creek Campground at 9AM without first going to Reliance.  We will work this out once we know who is coming.

LEADER:  Rick Harris, 423-253-6358 (home); 513-260-1184 (cell).  Please notify Rick in advance of the work trip of your plans to come and what tools you will be bringing.  This section does not have a maintainer.. Once this section is cleaned up, it would be great if someone volunteered to take responsibility for it.

BRING:  Chain saw if chain saw certified.  We need gas powered brush cutters as well.  Also, loppers and swing blades can be used.  Bring gloves and safety glasses and a helmet if you have one.  We have a few helmets to loan out.  Bring lunch and water.
MarchMarch 14 GEORGIA WORK TRIP:  Side-hill improvement and other finishing work on the Wallalah-Licklog Reroute on Section Three.  Meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM.  Or meet at the trailhead, GA Hwy. 60 and Little Skeenah Creek, at 9:10 AM.  Trip leaders are George Owen, 706-374-4716; Eric Eades, 706-313-0873; or Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, or, the night before only, 770-722-6016.
 March 28-29

TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP:  BMT Section 16a - Sandy Gap to Roundtop.  We will remark sections of the 3.5 mile long section of trail in the Heart of Darkness and then log and brush out the trail over this two day worktrip which is a combined worktrip of the TN/NC and the GA work crews.  This is an area on a ridgeline mostly on the TN/NC state line which is desperately in need of maintenance.  We will spend the night at Liz Carter and Butch Horn's home on Appalachia Lake, just a few miles from Sandy Gap. Supper and breakfast will be provided.  When we run out of beds, we will use sleeping bags on their floor. So bring a sleeping bag and pad, just in case.

MEETING LOCATION:  We will meet at Sandy Gap about 9AM on both Saturday and Sunday.

LEADER:  Rick Harris, 423-253-6358 (home); 513-260-1184 (cell). Please notify Rick in advance of the work trip of your plans to come, what days you plan to work, and what tools you will be bringing.  Also let Rick know if you plan to spend the night at Liz and Butch's house. The section maintainer is Eric Eades.

GA CARPOOL:  Will meet at 7:30am Saturday at the McDonalds on the NW corner of 515/76 and Blue Ridge Drive (to McCaysville).  From there we will drop cars off at the Home Depot parking lot and then carpool to Sandy Gap.  Transportation will be available for those working Saturday only and for those staying overnight at the Carter/Horn house and working again on Sunday.  Carpool Coordinators: George Owen, 706-374-4716; or Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, or, the night before only, 678-381-4776.

BRING: Chain saw if chain saw certified. We need gas powered brush cutters as well. Loppers and swing blades can be used if you so choose.  Bring gloves and safety glasses and a helmet if you have one.  We have a few helmets to loan out.  Bring lunch and water.
AprilApril 11 GEORGIA WORK TRIP:  This has just been changed.  We will substitute doing finishing touches needed on the Wallalah/Licklog reroute (sections 3a and 3b) that weather forced us to cancel last month.  Meet at 8:00 AM in the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge or at 9:10 AM at the Little Skeenah Creek Trailhead.  Leader is George Owen, 706-374-4716 or cell 706-897-3366.
 April 18

BMT (GA) Spring Flowers Day-hike:  Falls Branch and Rich Mountain Cove
Rating:  Moderate
Distance:  5-6 miles
Leaders:  Tom and Jane Keene
Max # hikers: 10

We will meet at 10am near Blue Ridge, then carpool to the Stanley Gap Trailhead, arriving about 10:30am.  Then we hike into the Rich Mountain Wilderness and down a beautiful cove, winding up at the Falls Branch Falls on BMT Section Six for lunch.  After a leisurely lunch by the falls we continue on BMT Section Six to the junction with the Stanley Gap trail and then down to the trailhead parking.

To reserve a spot in this award-winning hike, call 770-422-4838, or (after 3pm Friday the day before) 770-722-6016.

Sign up NOW!
 April 25

TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP:  BMT Section 19c - US 129 at Deals Gap to Topoca Trailhead at the Little Tennessee River.  This 5.1 mile section of trail needs much maintenance, but thankfully about half of it is on a gravel road through the Alcoa property and won't need any maintenance.

MEETING LOCATION:  We will meet at US 129 crossing down in the Cheoah Dam Upper Parking Lot by the Little Tennessee River at 9AM.

LEADER:  Rick Harris, 423-253-6358 (home); 513-260-1184 (cell).  Please notify Rick in advance of the work trip of your plans to come and what tools you will be bringing.  The section maintainers are Dick and Margaret Evans.

BRING:  We need gas powered brush cutters as well.  Also, loppers and swing blades can be used.  We will need to do some side hilling, thus we will be bring Pulaskis and fire rakes.  Dick Evans and Rick Harris plan to scout out the trail in advance to further determine what the needs are.  Bring gloves and safety glasses and a helmet if you have one.  We have a few helmets to loan out.  Bring lunch and water.
MayMay 9 NO GEORGIA WORK TRIP: There will be no Georgia work trip on May 9th due to Mother's Day and the Southeastern Foot Trails Association meeting.
 May 23-24 TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP:  This work trip has been rescheduled for June 27-28.
JuneJune 6 ANNUAL WALK-THROUGH: SIGN-UP NOW!  Saturday June 6th, Nation Trails Day, is the BMTA Annual Walk-through.  Go to the BMTA Walk-through Page to see what sections are already claimed.  Then line up a partner and claim yours.  Details on what’s involved and how to stake your claim are on the Walk-through webpage.
 June 13 GEORGIA WORK TRIP:  We will work on Section 9, mostly clearing growth, but also refreshing side-hilling.  Meet for breakfast at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8AM or at Watson Gap at 9:10am.  Some will work from Watson Gap, others from go to Tate Gap, and, if we have the numbers, still others from Dyer Gap.  Trip leader is Tom Keene 770-422-4838 or, the night before only, 770-722-6016.
 June 27-28

TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP: BMT Section 16b - Sledrunner Gap to Roundtop.  We will log and brush out this 2.7 mile section of trail in the Heart of Darkness over this two day worktrip which is a combined worktrip of the TN/NC and the GA work crews.  This is an area on a ridgeline mostly on the TN/NC state line which is desperately in need of maintenance.  We will spend the night at Rick and Brenda Harris's home just off the Cherohala Skyway, just a few miles from Beaverdam Bald, the access point for Sledrunner Gap. Supper and breakfast will be provided.  When we run out of beds, we will use sleeping bags on their floor.  So bring a sleeping bag and pad, just in case.

MEETING LOCATION:  We will meet at the Tellico Ranger Station about 9AM on both Saturday and Sunday. The BMTA tools are kept in a shed at the Ranger Station. The ranger station is off Tellico River Road about 3/4 mile past where the Tellico River Road leaves the Cherohala Skyway at mile post 5.

LEADER:  Rick Harris, 423-253-6358 (home); 513-260-1184 (cell). This section does not have a section maintainer. Once the trail is fixed up, it would be great is someone volunteered to take responsibility for this section. Please notify Rick in advance of the work trip of your plans to come, what days you plan to work, and what tools you will be bringing. Also let Rick know if you plan to spend the night at his house.

BRING:  Chain saw if chain saw certified. We need gas powered brush cutters as well. Loppers and swing blades can be used if you so choose. Bring gloves and safety glasses and a helmet if you have one. We have a few helmets to loan out. Bring lunch and water.
JulyJuly 18 GEORGIA WORK TRIP: The July work trip is our annual swing blade fiesta with the Forest Service. Hikers, horses, hardhats! Please note special time and date.  The trip is on July 18th, and we will meet the FS at Dally Gap at 9:00 am. BMTA workers will meet at the Villager Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 for breakfast, carpools depart at 8:30 am (or you can meet us at the Gap).  For more information or if you have questions please call the trip leader, Bill Ross, at 404-234-6488.
 July25 TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP: Six Mile Gap near Waucheesi Bald to Tate Gap, details to be provided...
AugustAugust 8 GEORGIA WORK TRIP: This trip is on beautiful Section 8.  We will mostly battle mid-summer brambles, perhaps breaking into separate crews based on reported trouble spots. We meet at the East Ellijay (not Blue Ridge) Waffle King at 8:00 AM.  No trail head meeting scheduled in case the trip shifts.  Call for update Aug. 22 or after.  Trip leader is Tom Keene.  Phone 770-422-4838 or 770-722-6016, the night before.
 August 22 TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP: TBD
SeptemberSeptember 12 GEORGIA WORK TRIP: TBD
 September 26 TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP: TBD
OctoberOctober 10 GEORGIA WORK TRIP: TBD
 October 24 TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP: TBD
NovemberNovember 14 GEORGIA WORK TRIP: TBD
 November 21 TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP: TBD
DecemberDecember 12 GEORGIA WORK TRIP: TBD
 December 19 TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP: TBD


Activities History, 2008
Activities History, 2007
Activities History, 2006
Activities History, 2005

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