Pine Mountain Trail Association Contributions
Over the years we have had a number of members and friends of the PMT contribute to the PMTA, which is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization (IRS 509(a)(2) status). Donations are fully tax deductible under Section 170.Our goals are to maintain and expand the trail system including the existing 43 miles of trail and 14 backcountry campsites, promote the outdoors and hiking, and preserve the environment and wilderness.
How have we done?
Since 1975, 43 miles of trail have been designed and built for maximum enjoyment with many varied points of interest and the PMTA has maintained fully all the trail miles throughout the years. The main Pine Mountain Trail is 23 miles long, and the 7 connecting loop trails add an additional 20+ miles.
In 1995 the PMTA was recognized by the Department of Natural Resources with an award for the Best Volunteer of the Year for the State of Georgia Outdoor Selection.
Tools and equipment to maintain the trails during group led monthly workdays have been bought by the PMTA (including both hand tools and power tools such as brush-cutters.)
To make your hiking experience more enjoyable, the PMTA has also provided funding for equipment used by FDR State Park used in tree climbing demos and monthly hikes. This equipment is also being used with the preservation and pollination project of American Chestnut trees found near the Pine Mountain Trail.
We also have provided large trash bags to be distributed to backpackers and hikers at the park office.
The PMTA has bought safety equipment for FDR that would help in case of an emergency on the trail.
In April of 2007, the PMTA completed a new trailhead cover at Dowdell's Knob that features a 4 foot PMT map, a bench and sign-in point.
Over the last few years there has been need for a number of new bridges and walkways along the trails that have been added. New signage was also placed
at all the waterfalls too. Then in 2016, after the death of PMT founder D. Neal Wickham, the PMTA built a new trailhead kiosk entrance way at Mile 23 being
called "NEAL'S REST". All of these projects have been made possible by your contributions and labor provided by a number of volunteers working with the PMTA.
All of these projects have been made possible by your contributions.
Contributions can be made via a link to our store or mailed to:
Pine Mountain Trail Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 5
Columbus, GA 31902
Upon receipt of your contribution, we will send you a letter of thanks with a section noting our tax status, the amount and check information for your tax records.
If you have any questions, would like to make a donation in honor of someone specific, or make a donation for a specific use, please contact PMTA President Chris Largent through our website.
How have we done?
Since 1975, 43 miles of trail have been designed and built for maximum enjoyment with many varied points of interest and the PMTA has maintained fully all the trail miles throughout the years. The main Pine Mountain Trail is 23 miles long, and the 7 connecting loop trails add an additional 20+ miles.
In 1995 the PMTA was recognized by the Department of Natural Resources with an award for the Best Volunteer of the Year for the State of Georgia Outdoor Selection.
- PMTA volunteers have provided all the work not only to maintain the trails and build new connectors for loops, but also the 14 backcountry campsites which are used annually by over 3,000 registered backpackers. This amounts to nearly 2,000 man-hours of volunteer time per year.
- The PMTA has provided and placed all the wooden direction and information signs at the trailheads and intersections. The trailhead information bulletin boards have been built by and are maintained by the PMTA.
- The PMTA has also been able to work with the Georgia DOT to build and pave for FDR State Park five parking areas along GA 190. These parking areas are used by thousands of hikers each year. Each named parking area is featured on our current PMT map. In 2008, the PMTA worked with the Georgia DOT to provide road signs at each parking area.
- The PMTA has maintained an informational website that has helped those interested in FDR State Park and the PMT to see about the trails and obtain contact information if they have further questions by email or phone. Through this website, we receive questions daily about our trail. Individuals and groups have sought out information and come to the PMT for all over the U.S. Hikers on portions of the trails are now estimated at over 60,000 per year.
- The PMTA has worked with at least two Eagle Scout candidates a year who have done projects that enhance the PMT and FDR State Park. The scouts raise money for their projects and many have given their excess funds to the PMTA for projects or provided additional tools for trail maintenance.
- In 2011 The PMTA organized groups of volunteers from late April through October to reopen and clean up over 24,500' (8 places along the trails) of tornado damaged trails the tornado wiped out. Over 155 different volunteers worked some 13 Saturdays. This work to clean up after the tornado took money to purchase chainsaws and other equipment maintaining along with water and drinks for the volunteers.
Tools and equipment to maintain the trails during group led monthly workdays have been bought by the PMTA (including both hand tools and power tools such as brush-cutters.)
To make your hiking experience more enjoyable, the PMTA has also provided funding for equipment used by FDR State Park used in tree climbing demos and monthly hikes. This equipment is also being used with the preservation and pollination project of American Chestnut trees found near the Pine Mountain Trail.
We also have provided large trash bags to be distributed to backpackers and hikers at the park office.
The PMTA has bought safety equipment for FDR that would help in case of an emergency on the trail.
In April of 2007, the PMTA completed a new trailhead cover at Dowdell's Knob that features a 4 foot PMT map, a bench and sign-in point.
Over the last few years there has been need for a number of new bridges and walkways along the trails that have been added. New signage was also placed
at all the waterfalls too. Then in 2016, after the death of PMT founder D. Neal Wickham, the PMTA built a new trailhead kiosk entrance way at Mile 23 being
called "NEAL'S REST". All of these projects have been made possible by your contributions and labor provided by a number of volunteers working with the PMTA.
All of these projects have been made possible by your contributions.
Contributions can be made via a link to our store or mailed to:
Pine Mountain Trail Association, Inc.
P.O. Box 5
Columbus, GA 31902
Upon receipt of your contribution, we will send you a letter of thanks with a section noting our tax status, the amount and check information for your tax records.
If you have any questions, would like to make a donation in honor of someone specific, or make a donation for a specific use, please contact PMTA President Chris Largent through our website.