30 Dec New Year 2019 !
HIGHLIGHTS – New Soak Creek Section . . . BreakAway Registration . . . Laurel-Snow Bridge . . . Build a Foot of Trail for $4 ! . . . Former WagonMasters and new Local Volunteers for BreakAway Welcome . . ! . . . Kudos for the Crew . . .
The Falls Segment Gets Its First Section
For hikers new to the Cumberland Trail an explanation. The CT is divided into 12 SEGMENTS. Each Segment may have one or more SECTIONS.
For years the the only constructed trail in The Falls Segment in Rhea County was a 1.1 mile trail to Stinging Fork Falls in the Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area.
Since 2015 work has been progressing in various parts of this corridor. Most of 2018, the CTC professional trail crew has been working south from Stinging Fork Falls to a new trailhead on Shut In Gap Road.
Trailhead parking will be available at both ends of the roughly 6 mile section.
The Stinging Fork Falls Section will be the first of two Sections in the Falls Segment and should open this spring.
The second section, called Head of the Sequatchie Section, will bring the CT north around the southwest slope of Hinch Mountain toward Jewett Road. Below is a planning map of the new section. Detailed point by point trail description is in the works.
To keep up to date with trail construction activities, check our Facebook page HERE.
Sting Fork Section map. Southern part of The Falls Segment.
Volunteer for BreakAway 2019
March 3 to 30, 2019
ASB 2017 Michigan State students work on the trail south of McGill Creek. (Deakins)
BreakAway this year continues the link between Black Mountain and Ozone Falls in Cumberland County. If you have never volunteered during BreakAway, consider making the time this year. Over 160 college students will join the paid crew and a dozen local volunteers to make the connection happen!
Never built trail before? Not sure what this is all about ? No problem. You will be assigned to a crew led by a Wagon Master (crew leader) and learn along with the students. Tools and meals provided too. Workdays are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Sunday after dinner is the orientation, introductions and safety demonstration.
Call the CTC Office and let them know what day – or days – you expect to be there. They will provide directions and information on accommodations.
931 456 6259 or email: ctcoffice2014@gmail.com
Returning WagonMasters –
We look forward to seeing you again ! Please call or email the office and let them know which days or weeks you plan to volunteer. This helps with figuring meals and accommodations and well as crew assignments.
931 456 6259 or : ctcoffice2014@gmail.com
Modular bridge in Laurel-Snow SNA. (Deakins)
Laurel_Snow Bridge Replacement
The long awaited replacement of the damaged bridge in the Laurel_Snow Section opened in December. It is the second modular aluminum bridge that was jointly designed and funded by the CTC, Cumberland Trail State Park and TDEC. The first one was assembled over McGill Creek in 2017.
Kudos to Our Professional Trail Crew
Our professional trail builders were all over the map this year. From Catoosa to Ozone to Soak Creek and back. In addition to working with 165 college students and volunteers from the American Hiking Society, they labored on to complete the 6 mile Stinging Fork Falls Section in the Falls Segment. They completed over 11 trail miles in 2018. You may never see them, but their work makes your journey through the woods possible.
Lunch on the trail with the 2018 CTC Professional Trail Crew. L to R; Our Trail Boss Shauna along with Savannah, Dusty, Jesse and Danny. And Sade not pictured.
Just $4 a Foot to Build the CT
You can help build the CT for just $4 a foot ! The Cumberland trail is built on donations, grants and foundation assistance. Donations from individuals are critical to the construction process. Donations help cover the many expenses that grants do not, including office expenses, printing, postage and mundane things like new tires for the truck.
If you hike the CT or take part in construction as a trail volunteer, please take a moment to make a donation and help build another few yards of trail.
Make your check to:
Cumberland Trails Conference
and mail to:
409 Thurman Avenue, Suite 102, Crossville, TN 38555