24 Jun Volunteer On The CT
Volunteer on July 14 ! . . . . . . Multiple Trail Building opportunities ! . . . . . . . . Hike Safe This Summer . . . . . . . Take A Map . . . The CTC and CTSST difference is ?
The Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail is working on new section of trail that will connect the Morgan County Visitor Center in Wartburg, TN to the top of Bird Mountain, headed north toward Frozen Head State Park & State Natural Area.
Weather permitting; volunteers are invited to assist with construction. Tools and training are provided and no experience is required.
Dates for this event are: This monthly event concludes on Saturday July 14.
Volunteers will meet at the Morgan County Visitor Center at 10:00am for an orientation/safety meeting. Work will conclude by 3:30pm.
Bring lunch, water and extra water. Please dress in layers for the weather, including long pants and long sleeves. Bring a rain jacket, and wear closed-toe shoes. If you have your own work gloves, bring them, otherwise tools and gloves will be supplied by the park.
*Volunteer hours can fulfill Tennessee Promise Scholarship requirements.
*Volunteers under the age of 18 must have a parent/guardian present.
The Morgan County Visitor Center is located at 3804 Morgan County Hwy (at the junction of US-27 and TN-62).
Hiking clubs, church groups and civic groups welcome !
*To RSVP or for questions, contact Ranger Ingram at 423-419-9516
Volunteer For Soak Creek
The Cumberland Trail Conference professional crew moves continues to make way along Soak Creek in Rhea County this summer. In April alone they added another 3,000 feet of trail. Soak Creek is in The Falls Segment of the Cumberland Trail.
New trail leads north and east from The Falls along the south bank of Soak Creek, a designated State Scenic River.
Hiking clubs, church groups and civic groups welcome !
Volunteers are always welcome! Contact Crew Boss Shauna Wilson directly at: 931 414 0661. Voice or text for best time and place to meet.
HIKE SAFE THIS SUMMER
It seems obvious to say “Take Plenty of Water” when hiking in the summer, but many casual hikers don’t. Younger hikers underestimate the amount of water the will need on a short five or six mile hike. This is partially because their thirst response is suppressed. Same with hikers over about age 60.
Absolute minimum should be a half liter per hour. Leave extra in the car. Long distance hikers should consider carrying a water filter straw or purification tablets. Water is part of your first aid kit too. You may need clean water to wash out a scrape or wound.
Shelter can be more important than water. Carry a poncho or good quality light weight thermal blanket. The average person can go for two or three days without water but only a few hours without shelter. Especially of you get wet and then get lost.
Take a Map. Maps are provided on this site HERE. An interactive real-time map is provided HERE. Even on a short hike take a map. Old trails and old logging roads frequently cross the CT. Hiking back out you may see a fork that was not noticed on the way in.
Also carry a bandanna, first aid kit, bug repellent, a wide brim hat, snacks and a whistle. For details on the Ten Essentials see HERE.
I’m Confused. CTC and the CTSST are the same?
The site you are reading is the Cumberland Trails Conference (CTC). A 501c(3) organization founded in 1996. The mission of the CTC is to help acquire land, design trail and handle the bulk of construction for the Cumberland Trail. About 25% of the open 210 miles was built buy the CTC and college volunteers during the annual Alternative Spring Break event. Our professional crew has built much more. Once a new section is approved by the State, it is turned over to the CTSST to manage the trail.
CTSST is the Cumberland Trail State Scenic Trail. Which sounds redundant, but to call it a “park” would place the land in a different land management category. It’s a legal language thing . . .
Anyway, the CTSST manages the trail, provides Rangers for enforcement, has its own professional construction crew and also sponsors volunteer and cultural events.
At a finished length of 310 miles, plus side loops, it takes a cooperative effort of several agencies and groups to build and maintain the trail. Hike safe out there.