Trail Maintenance on the AT at Hawk Mountain, and hike to Long Creek Falls

Find out the tasks Don Norton and I do to maintain this valuable National Resource, the Appalachian Trail. The 70 plus miles in Georgia from Springer Mtn to the border are split up into 1 mile sections, with each having a shelter, as ours, having 2 people to maintain the trail, shelter and privy. This time of year, even with the drought, the weeds seem to be happy and like to overgrow the trail borders which so many use in hiking, backpacking as recreation.

Other tasks include cleaning out several water bars that drain the trail efficiently, clean off small branches, saw dead limbs that fall in the trail path and clean the water source trail; and my task of maintaining the new mouldering privy-this will be my task alone; unless anyone else wants to join me in my sacred duty.

When we get to Hightower Gap, everyone will be asked to use a swing blade to help cut the weeds, including myself and Don Norton, my trail partner in this undertaking. We are asked to maintain a 4' x 8' 'window on the trail, so people may pass undisturbed with their backpacks, not snagging on branches or brushing weeds on their way.

With 8 of us and two leaders; we should make quick work of this. For some small scenic reward afterwards we can drive to a nearby waterfall on Long Creek and do the relatively easy 2 mile hike (1 mile each way) and sit and enjoy the cooling mist and temps around the waterfall.
Those who want can enjoy barbeque at the Pink Pig in Cherry Log afterward; this is optional-but fun to enjoy comaraderie after the event. They also make a killer burger and good garlic salad, besides pulled and chopped barbeque, their specialty.