PMTA Volunteer Pruners Adopt A Trail Section
Several years back the PMTA requested volunteers who would look after a specific section of the trail system to check for blowdowns and trail conditions (along with prune as needed depending on section.) We have folks signed up to check on various backcountry campsites also. . Some areas likely need more attention due to 2011 tornado damage (muscadine vines and weeds growing in these) and additional work depending on weather conditions affecting them. Since 2017, we have had a huge increase in dead trees (long dry spell fall of 2016 and in 2019. ) As of February 2022 sections of the trails like Sawtooth Trail and White Candle have a bunch of dead trees down all the time.
Below are the trail sections (with Backcountry Campsites located along the route that have short access trail to them.) These sections are divided out in about 2 miles segments areas.) Noted are folks who have volunteered already to be responsible for a particular section. If you’d like to take one of the sections shown not taken/vacant, email us back through Jim Hall pinemttrailassoc._jim@msn.com or call him at 706-569-0497 .
Jim can tell what needs to be done each pruning, as he gets reports from folks hiking that may affect a section. He and others can tell and show how to prune properly and when suggested on checking a section, and tell about tools to take on a "pruning hike" like hand pruners, small folding saw, notepad and phone to note blow-down or problem trail areas (wash outs, needs more blazes, sign missing etc.) If trail maintainers encounter a blow-down that they cannot cut up with hand saw, they let us know (with as exact location as possible and take photos )
Below are the trail sections (with Backcountry Campsites located along the route that have short access trail to them.) These sections are divided out in about 2 miles segments areas.) Noted are folks who have volunteered already to be responsible for a particular section. If you’d like to take one of the sections shown not taken/vacant, email us back through Jim Hall pinemttrailassoc._jim@msn.com or call him at 706-569-0497 .
Jim can tell what needs to be done each pruning, as he gets reports from folks hiking that may affect a section. He and others can tell and show how to prune properly and when suggested on checking a section, and tell about tools to take on a "pruning hike" like hand pruners, small folding saw, notepad and phone to note blow-down or problem trail areas (wash outs, needs more blazes, sign missing etc.) If trail maintainers encounter a blow-down that they cannot cut up with hand saw, they let us know (with as exact location as possible and take photos )
The most labor intensive area is the tornado-damaged area Mile 12-13. That area takes 5-8 volunteers to cover twice a year minimum. We set up work days to cover that section.