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Benton MacKaye |
Activities Calendar "...leaving a footpath for generations to follow." |
A History of Openness
The BMTA has always welcomed everyone on every activity.
| Year 2008 Events | ||
| Month | Date | Location & Details |
| January | January 12 | Tennessee/North Carolina Work Trip: If the weather cooperates, we will be sidehilling on a 1/4-mile stretch of section 16a (parking at Sandy Gap and walking north). Pulaskis and fire rakes will be supplied. Please contact leader Eric Eades, 706-313-0873, for meeting arrangements. |
| January 26 | Georgia Work Trip: The main job is to refresh sidehilling on Section 6 between Scroggin Knob and Rocky Mountain. Meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM. Or meet at the Weaver Creek Road trailhead at 8:45 AM. Trip leaders are Ralph Heller, 770-235-9760 (c), 706-636-3497 (h); and Tom Keene, 770-422-4838 or, the night before only, 770-722-6016. | |
| February | February 9 | North Carolina/Tennessee Work Trip: Location to Be Announced. For information, please contact Bill Lundin, 423-344-0823. |
| February 23 | Georgia Work Trip: We will again work on the Great Wallalah-Licklog reroute on Section Three, but will walk in from the other direction, from Skeenah Gap. Meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM. Or meet at the trailhead at Skeenah Gap Road at 9:00 AM. Trip leaders are George Owen, 706-374-4716; or Tom Keene, 770-422-4838 or, the night before only, 770-722-6016. | |
| March | March 8 |
(3/7/08) - The TN-NC March work trip has been
cancelled due to anticipated bad weather. Tennessee/North Carolina Work Trip: We will work section 17d, Mud Gap - Beech Gap, Nantahala NF. Activities will include brush-out work and fix side-hill tread where needed. Meet at Hardees at 0800, in Tellico Plains. We will leave Hardees at 0830 and drive to trailhead (Mud Gap). Michael Harwood will lead this work trip. For information, please contact Michael at 828-735-9396 or Bill Lundin, 423-344-0823. |
| March 22 | Georgia Work Trip: We will again work on the Great 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 9:00 AM. Trip leaders are George Owen, 706-374-4716; or Tom Keene, 770-422-4838. | |
| April | April 12 | North Carolina/Tennessee Work Trip: We will be cleaning up some blow downs and some light brush on section 17d, from Mud Gap trailhead on the Cherohala Parkway, south. Eric Eades, 706-313-0873, and Mike Harwood will lead the work trip. |
| April 26 | Annual Walk-Thru: Start the hiking season out right with a spring jaunt on the BMT. This annual tradition keeps us on top of what needs tending to in the southern 200 miles of trail. Hikers can choose one or more sections to walk, or have one assigned (two hikers-per-section for safety). Shuttle drivers are needed also. Please contact Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, for trail in Georgia and Bill Lundin, 423-344-0823, for Tennessee and North Carolina. Or email using the Contact Form. | |
| May | May 10 | Tennessee/North Carolina Work Trip: Location to Be Announced. For information, please contact Bill Lundin, 423-344-0823. |
| May 24 | Georgia Work Trip: We will again work on the Great Wallalah-Licklog reroute on Section Three. Meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM. Trailhead meeting place to be named after the February trip. Trip leaders are George Owen, 706-374-4716; or Tom Keene, 770-422-4838 or, the night before only, 770-722-6016. | |
| June | June 7 | National Trails Day - June 7th: Come join us in celebrating National Trails Day with a work trip on the John Muir Trail / Benton MacKaye Trail. We will be working on constructing a new trail segment that fixes several long standing problem areas on the existing trail. The work will consist of digging in the dirt with pulaskis and mattocks in an area close to Towee Creek and the Hiwassee River. This event is sponsored by the Ocoee / Hiwassee Ranger District of the Cherokee National Forest, Hiwassee Hiking Club, Cherokee Hiking Club, Chattanooga Hiking Club, and the Benton MacKaye Trail Association. Tools and safety gear will be provided, but remember to bring plenty of food and water. T-shirts will be awarded to the first 24 participants, and there will be other door prizes available to everyone who helps make this event a success. Meet at the intersection of US 411 and Tennessee Highway 30 in the vacant lot across from the store at 9 AM. |
| June 14 | North Carolina/Tennessee Work Trip: Location to Be Announced. For information, please contact Bill Lundin, 423-344-0823. | |
| June 28 | Georgia Work Trip: We will work on Section 10b in the Cohutta Wilderness. It’s a beautiful section, from the crossing of Jacks River Trail to the Spanish Oak Gap (aka the intersection with the Hemptop Trail.). Meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00 AM or meet at the trailhead, Dally Gap on FS 22 at 9:40am. We will walk down the Jacks River Trail to hit the BMT, then work up toward Spanish Oak Gap, then walk back to Dally via Hemptop Trail. Mostly swingblade work, but refreshing some sidehilling. FYI, it takes close to an hour to drive from Blue Ridge to Dally Gap. Trip leader is Tom Keene 770-422-4838 or, the night before only, 770-722-6016). | |
| July | July 12 | John Muir / BMT Reroute Work Trip: We will continue with trail construction, digging the trail in on some steep side slopes. We will walk in about ¾ mile from the Towee Creek Picnic Area with one crossing of an almost dried up Towee Creek. Bring lots of water as this work trip is liable to be hotter than a firecracker on the 4th of July! Meet at the vacant lot across from the store at the intersection of US 411 and TN Highway 30 at 9:00 am. We might have a photographer from the Polk County News present to take pictures for an upcoming article. Contact Ken Jones at 423-745-2451 for further information about this trip. |
| July 26 | Georgia Work Trip: This is a joint trip with the Forest Service and Cohutta Wilderness Area volunteers. On Section Ten (Section Eleven in Homan’s guide) from Spanish Oak Gap to Hemp Top Mountain. We’ll be mostly over 3000’ and, we trust, enjoying those famous “ridgeline breezes.” The effort will be mostly swingblade work. We meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 7:15AM. Note the time; it’s 45 minutes earlier than usual. We must depart the restaurant at 8:00 AM sharp to keep our rendezvous with the Forest Service group. The trailhead meeting at Dally Gap will be at 8:50 AM. Trip leaders are Bill Ross, 404-234-6488, and Tom Keene 770-422-4838, or the night before only, 770-722-6016. See you there! | |
| August | August 9 | John Muir / BMT Reroute Work Trip: We will continue with trail construction, digging the trail in on some steep side slopes. We will walk in about ¾ mile from the Towee Creek Picnic Area with one crossing of an almost dried up Towee Creek. Bring lots of water as this work trip is liable to be hot! Meet at the vacant lot across from the store at the intersection of US 411 and TN Highway 30 at 9:00 am. Contact Eric Eades at 706-313-0873 for further information about this trip. |
| August 23 |
Joint GA-TN Worktrip on the John Muir/BMT relocation:
BMT-GA Carpool
GA Directions: Carpool to the worksite from Atlanta and from Blue Ridge. Darcy Douglas will be at the wheel of her seven passenger, nitro-methane blue Toyota Pilot, departing from Town Center, Kennesaw area (I-575 exit 1 [Barrett Parkway] – Call Darcy for specific location). Breakfast at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge from 8:00. Depart for Reliance no later than 8:30am; arrive at worksite trailhead at 9:30am. Directions to TN trailhead from Blue Ridge: From Blue Ridge use Old Route 5 to McCaysville. Continue to Ducktown via TN 68. Take US 64 west from Ducktown through the Ocoee River gorge until you reach Parksville Lake on your left. You will shortly cross over the concrete bridge over Greasy Creek. You will then turn right at the next intersection on TN Highway 30, the Reliance Road. This road has plenty of curves. Follow it for about 9 miles until you reach the Hiwassee River. There will be an old church in front of you, so turn right on TN 315 toward Hiwassee Outfitters. The meeting point will be in the state parking area on your left, before you reach the railroad trestle. Meeting time is 9:30am. Trip leaders for Georgia are George Owen (706-374-4716) and Darcy Douglas (404-497-0818). TN Directions: Meet at the vacant lot across from the store at the intersection of US 411 and TN Highway 30 at 9:00 am. Or at the TN Trailhead in Reliance at 9:30 (see directions above). Trip leader for Tennessee, Eric Eades, (706-313-0873). | |
| September | September 13 | Tennessee Work Trip: We will brush out section 11d, the Rough Creek Trail in the Cohutta Wilderness. This is hand tools only; of course bring gloves, water, personal safety gear, and lunch. We will meet at the parking area near the Thunder Rock Campground at 9:00 AM, just across the Ocoee River from US 64. Trip leader is George Owen: phone # is 706-897-3366 (cell), or 706-374-4716 (home). |
| September 13/14 |
Backpack Trip: BMT (TN) Sixmile Gap to
the Tellico River - Rated: A3C, B3B This is one of the prettiest sections of the Benton MacKaye Trail in Tennessee. It includes the Bald River Wilderness Study area. In spite of the drought, water will not be a problem as the trail parallels both Brookshire Creek and the Upper Bald River. On the first day, we will cover nine miles. After dropping a car at the finish and shuttling eleven miles, we will start with a short bushwhack from the top of Waucheesi Mountain to pick up the BMT at Sixmile Gap. From there we'll follow a primitive section of the BMT over Round Top and Rocky Top mountains, around Sled-Runner Gap and down the Brookshire Creek Trail to our campsite along the creek. On the second day, we will cover six miles continuing our descent until we reach the Upper Bald River, then following the BMT upstream along the river to cross it and hike over Sugar Mountain and down to the Tellico River. There we will pick up our cars and return to the start. Afterward, we will celebrate with Mexican food in Copperhill, TN. To register, contact Bob Ruby at or 404-252-8888 or Sandi Still at 404-248-9585. |
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| September 27 | Georgia Work Trip: | |
| October | October 11 | TN/GA BMTA Work Trip:
LOCATION: John Muir Trail from the east end of the JMT reroute to Coker
Creek (section 14a). This section needing maintenance is 3 miles
long and requires a one mile hike from the powerhouse to get to it. LEADER: Ken Jones, 423-745-2451, . PLEASE NOTIFY KEN IN ADVANCE ON YOUR INTENTION TO COME SO HE WILL HAVE ADEQUATE TOOLS AVAILABLE. WORK PLANNED: We plan to use chain saws and brush cutters as well as swing blades and loppers to remove several trees across the trail and brush out the trail. We want to get this section of trail in spiffy shape before the fun hike planned for early November. MEETING LOCATION AND TIME: US 441 and TN 30 intersection at 8 AM. Park in the lot across TN 30 from the convenience store. We will take as few cars as possible to the powerhouse parking area. BRING: Gloves, hard hat, safety glasses and whatever tools you desire. Bring your lunch and plenty of water. Only those chain saw certified by the USFS may use a chain saw. |
| October 18 | BMT (GA) Fall Color Dayhike: Dally
Gap to the Jacks River Rating: Easy or Moderate (your choice) Distance: 5-6 miles Leader: Tom Keene Co-leader: Jane Keene We will meet at 10 am near Blue Ridge, then carpool to Dally Gap, arriving about 11am. Then we hike 2.5 easy, beautiful miles down to the river via the Jacks River Trail, including about 200 yards the JRT shares with the BMT. We will walk along the river until we agree on a lunch spot. The peak fall color in north Georgia can occur between the second and fourth week in October. Here’s hoping…. We will do a leisurely lunch. Hang out; explore a little. Bring the Tevas and a walking stick if you want to ford the Jacks River. On the return hike, the ambitious will take the BMT trail north to Spanish Oak Gap and return to Dally via the Hemptop Trail. Those preferring to take it easy can go straight back to Dally Gap via the JRT, then break out the lawn chairs and await the return of the Type A folks. To reserve a spot in this award winning hike (RIP Skip Caray), call 770-422-4838, or (after 3pm Friday the day before) 770-722-6016. Max # hikers: 10 Sign up NOW! |
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| October 25 | Georgia Work Trip: On Section One just south of Three Forks, and on Section Two, near No Name Gap. We will refresh side-hilling and perhaps create water diversions. We meet at the East Ellijay (not Blue Ridge) Waffle King at 8:00 AM, or meet at the Three Forks trailhead at 9:40 AM. Trip leader is Tom Keene, 770-423-6232 working hours, otherwise 770-722-6016. | |
| November | November 1-2 | BMT (TN) Unicoi Gap to Childers Creek Backpack
(2-day hike) Leader: Bob Ruby Co-leader: Sandi Still This is an 18-mile backpack on the Benton MacKaye Trail north of the Hiwassee river near Reliance, Tennessee. On the first day we will hike 10 miles down the Unicoi Mountain Trail from Unicoi Gap (located on the Cherokee Trail of Tears at the TN/NC border). On the second day we will follow the BMT as it joins the "other" John Muir Trail, a National Recreation Trail, along the beautiful river and in the hills above it. Afterward, we will celebrate with Mexican food in Copperhill, TN. To register, contact Bob Ruby at hikingchair@bmta.org or 404-252-8888, or Sandi Still at 404-248-9585. |
| November 7,8 & 9 |
Annual Meeting:
November 2008 - Annual Meeting Reservation Form |
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| November 15 | TN/NC BMTA Work Trip: Planned Work: Brushing out the John Muir Trail from Coker Creek to the east end of the JMT reroute (Section 14a) Leader: Richard Harris, 423-253-6358. Please notify Rick in advance so he can be sure we have adequate tools and protective equipment. Meeting Time: 8 AM Meeting Place: The parking area at the intersection of US 411 and TN 30 across from the convenience store. Description: We will go in from the Coker Creek end and brush out the trail heading west toward the powerhouse. In October we cleared out almost all of the downed trees with chain saws, though there may be some beyond about 3 miles from where we will park our cars. We may take a chain saw with us. We will need gas-powered brush cutters and weed whackers as well as swingblades and loppers. Bring: Your gloves and eye protectors and helmet, if you have them. If you own a gas-powered brush cutter, please bring this as well. |
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| November 22 | Georgia Work Trip: It
looks like we cannot meet at Dyer Gap on Saturday, or work the north end
of Section Eight. The road (FS 64) from Watson's Gap to Dyer Gap is
closed for three months while they shore it up where it slid off the
hillside near Dyer Gap. Thanks to Dennis McClure for sending along the relevant FS notice: http://www.fs.fed.us/conf/press/documents/ThreeForksRDclosurenewsrelease.pdf
We will meet at the East Ellijay (not Blue Ridge) Waffle King at 8:00 AM an updated trailhead meeting place will be given at that time. Trip leader is Tom Keene, 770-423-6232, or the night before only, 770-722-6016. |
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| December | December 13 | TN/NC BMTA WORK TRIP:
Section 12c, Kimsey Highway to McFarland Road FS 23 (2.4 miles)WHAT:
Log and brush out the trail starting from the Kimsey Highway trail
crossing. This section has many trees across the trail, especially
close to Kimsey Highway. This section is not in the wilderness, so
chain saws and gas powered brush cutters can be used. We will spot
a car at the McFarland Road trail crossing to avoid the long uphill
return to the cars. MEETING LOCATION: Leave from the Hardee's in Copper Hill on US64 west of TN68 at 8;30 AM. If you want to eat breakfast there, be there about 8AM so you can be ready to leave by 8:30 AM. Or meet at the Kimsey Highway crossing of the BMT 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. 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. AFTERWARDS: We will stop at one of the restaurants in the Copper Hill area afterwards for those who don't have to rush home. |
| December 20 | Georgia Work Trip: We will refresh side-hilling on Tipton Mountain on Section 5a (Wilscot Gap to Ledford Gap). If we have time and numbers, a group can replace some steps just east of the Brawley Mtn. fire tower. We meet at the Village Restaurant in Blue Ridge at 8:00AM and at the Wilscot Gap trailhead at 9:10AM. Trip leader is Tom Keene, 770-422-4838, or, the night before only, 770-722-6016. | |
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