Trail Work Events - Rebuilding Rock Stairway on the AT - Ivy Creek Overlook in Shenandoah National Park- 12/14/21, 11/2/21, 10/26/21

 

December 14 was the third trail work event rebuilding a rock stairway on the Appalachian Trail near Ivy Creek Overlook in Shenandoah National Park. Marit Anderson and Mark Perschel were the PATC leaders organizing the day, but Leah Cawthorn from the Appalachian Conservation Corps, Chandler Berry from Conservation Legacy, and Olivia Jackson from Student Conservation Association were the experienced rock workers, so their expertise helped guide the whole crew. Lisa Swales is the Trail Maintainer for this section and she joined the team of volunteers, including Jen Jackson, John Brandt, Peggy Byrd, Iva Gillet, and Helen-Marie Field. The crew did a variety of tasks from harvesting rock from the forest, laying down and positioning rock to rebuild a section of the stairway, to making crush to fill in the gaps and level the rock.  We also took turns building water bars on the AT going south. Mark gave tutorials and everyone got a chance to dig, grade, and create dirt berm water bars that were needed for water mitigation.  It was a beautiful day and we all were happy to be outdoors.  We ate lunch at noon and brownies, peppermint chocolates, and chocolate chip cookies were shared to top off our break.  Work continued until 2 pm, then we hiked back to Ivy Creek Overlook parking lot to clean the tools and say our goodbyes.  We hope to have one more work day to position the three very large rocks that the team moved near the trail and will be used to complete the top of the stairway.  

The two prior work days on rebuilding the rock stairway at Ivy Creek Overlook were October 26 when Lisa Swales, Marit Anderson, and Mark Perschel were joined by Leah Cawthorn and Student Conservation Association members Ian Eberly, Brad Lathrop, Rily Collins, and Annie Nelson. Much of the groundwork was begun this day because a number of the group were experienced in laying rock and building stairs.  The SCA team and Leah returned on November 2 to extend the stairs, but Marit and Mark were already committed to do chainsaw work on the Charlottesville PATC section at McCormick Gap.  It really has been a collection of days with various trail organizations lending a helping hand to rebuild this crumbling area.  Hikers will be safer for it.  Thanks to all the volunteers!

Submitted by Marit Anderson