When:  August 2-4 (work on August 3)
Where:  Sections 16a-b Sandy Gap >> Beaver Dam Bald – (Heart of Darkness second try)
When:  8:00 AM
Meeting Location:  Big Oak Cove Campground on Tellico River Road where the side road goes to Beaverdam Bald

https://maps.app.goo.gl/iY8ZbfR3sBZKp1Kq5

Because of the distances involved on USFS roads,
camping is available free of charge at Big Oak Cove Campground on
Friday night as well as Saturday night if desired.

Ending Location:  Sandy Gap – meal will be served by Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen, compliments of BMTA.

Extra Help:  Thru hiker, Luke Collins from Atlanta and manager of soccer clinics in Atlanta, has volunteered to provide several of his high school soccer players to help out. Their plan is to come up Friday, August 2 and camp at the Big Oak Cove Campground Friday and Saturday nights.

Plan for the Day:  Trail workers who were on the June work trip to the Heart of Darkness are aware that trip was rained out by a severe thunderstorm. Some work was done from Sandy Gap (north to Moss Gap and south to Six Mile Gap) but we still need to log and brush out the section from Sledrunner Gap to Moss Gap.

We will meet the soccer team on Saturday at 8:00 AM at the Big Oak Cove Campground for the tailgate safety meeting as well as to distribute tools/PPE and to go over the plan for the day. Workers will be shuttled up to Beaverdam Bald and work with the soccer players to clear the trail of briars. One or more chainsaw logging crews will clear trees off the trail. Blaze teams may refresh the blazes as well.

Shuttle Drivers Needed:  Meet at Big Oak Cove Campground at 8:00 AM on Saturday to shuttle workers to the top of Beaverdam Bald (recommend high clearance 4WD), then drive to Sandy Gap for dinner. Finally, folks will be shuttled back to Big Oak Cove Campground after the meal.

At the end of the day, Southern Appalachian Back Country Horsemen will serve burgers, hot dogs and all the trimmings at Sandy Gap. The soccer team will return to the campground and they will return to Atlanta Sunday morning.

What to Bring/What to Wear:  Plenty of water, food/snacks, gloves, long pants and boots with non-slip soles. Bring safety glasses, hard hats and hand tools if you have them. PPE will be provided for those without. If you have one, bring a gas-powered brushcutter with extra gas.

The Heart of Darkness is remote, typically occupied by
rattlesnakes and briars in excess of 6′!

— Snake gators highly recommended —

When You Sign Up, Please Advise Where You Can Help:

• • • • Saw Crews
      • Bring gas-powered brushcutter with extra gas
      • Swingblades and loppers
      • Blaze Crews (to come in from each end)
      • Shuttle Drivers