Women's Trail Work Day in conjunction with ATC/Wild East Women Initiative- Entry Run Tract - October 19, 2019

The Appalachian Trail Conservancy-Wild East Women all women's trail work trip was held on October 19 and Charlottesville PATC members were invited to participate.  Wild East Women is an initiative to get women out on the trails and to promote stewardship of the trails. Marit Anderson organized the event in cooperation with Mark Walkup, district manager for PATC Entry Run Tract near Stanardsville, VA at the southern border of Shenandoah National Park.  Martha Becton, Crew Lead with Potomac Crew (PATC) and Cadillac Crew member, along with Francy Rubin, trail crew member with Natural Bridge ATC, teamed up with Marit to supervise the relocation of a section of trail along John's Rest Trail that often floods during high rains. The participants also included Priscilla Roberts from Sante Fe, NM, Sandra Crawford from Barboursville, three writers for Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine - Shannon McGowan, Ellen Kanzinger, and Melissa Gessler from Charlottesville, Emily Godicke -exchange student from Germany at Charlottesville High School, Hannah Gessler from Mary Baldwin University, Marcela Liddick -trail runner from Charlottesville, and Kate Schlitz from PATC Meet Up. It was wonderful to have all twelve of these women from a variety of areas working together on building trail and learning about trail stewardship.

The day began at 9 am with all arriving at Rosser Lamb Cabin at Entry Run Tract and being introduced to the district manager, Mark Walkup.  He gave an overview of the area and then handed the day off to the ladies.  Tools and personal safety equipment were distributed to all and the group hiked down to the work site near Entry Run.  We divided into three groups with Martha, Francy, and Marit each leading a team.  Earlier in the fall Martha and Mark had discussed the location for the new trail and Martha made the final decision and flagged the route for the relocation...moving the desired trail up the hillside and away from the stream and seeps. The new trail was made from the ground up - clearing debris, rock, roots, and vegetation.  Next there was grading and rock relocation. Leaves were dispersed along the edges to create a natural looking border. Lastly, the old trail was blocked by branches and altered with leaves and sticks to camouflage it in a natural way. Everyone was happy with the results and that the project was completed by end of the afternoon.
The women had enjoyed a break and their lunches and chocolate chip cookies midway through the day.  Work ended at 3 pm and then tools were cleaned and returned to the work truck.  This was followed by a chainsawing demonstration with Martha handling the saw and Marit swamping. Things wrapped up at 4 pm with some of the participants departing for home and 7 women staying to enjoy a delicious picnic potluck dinner together.  We were lucky to have a beautiful autumn day to work and great conditions overall.  Rosser Lamb Cabin had been reserved for the weekend for lodging and Marit, Martha, Francy, and Priscilla had enjoyed both Friday and Saturday nights in the solitude and pretty scenery of this serene place.  Thanks to all the hard working participants.  We look forward to more trail work projects together ahead!

submitted by Marit Anderson