Trail Maintenance Project on AT - Turk Gap to Crimora Lake Overlook - April 25, 2015

Jeff, Hunter, Marit, Mark, Jason, and John gather Pulaskis, McLeods, and other tools

When the trail maintenance team got up to the Shenandoah National Park it was sleeting, but fortunately it subsided and the rain held off until our projects were done and hike completed.  We spent three hours on the Appalachian Trail along the section from Turk Gap to Crimora Lake Overlook.  Co-overseers, Marit Anderson and Jeff Monroe, were joined by C. Hunter Cloud, Jason Suckow, and John Shannon.  Mark Gatewood, Deputy District Manager SNP South District AT, helped direct the installation of a check dam with a black locust log he had dropped near the trail head earlier in the week and also spearheaded the re-route of section of the trail, which had migrated downhill quite a bit. Water bar cleaning and some regrade was also done. At 1 pm we stopped for lunch and chocolate chip cookies. We got to chat with a number of section and thru-hikers who appreciated our work and the countless volunteers on the trail. After tools were reloaded in Mark's truck and various cars, the trio of Jason, John, and Marit did a speed hike to the top of Turk Mountain and made it back just before the clouds opened up.  Good job team!

John puts the finishing touches on the re-routed trail

Hunter, Mark, and Jason installing the check dam

Jason and John at the peak of Turk Mountain

submitted by Marit Anderson