Nantahala Toil and Trek, North Carolina

The Trip

Be part of the 33rd year celebration of our special lodge-based service trip in the beauty of Nantahala National Forest in the Appalachian Mountains of western North Carolina. Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and the Slickrock Wilderness, which has one of the largest tracts of old-growth forests east of the Mississippi River. The Wilderness was purchased by the Forest Service in 1926 and spared much of the logging occurring at that time. The 20-foot-circumference poplars in Joyce Kilmer are a spectacle to behold. We are sure to see beautiful budding trees (e.g., dogwood, beech, oak, sassafras and birch) and wildflowers (e.g., trillium, trout lily, dwarf iris, lily-of-the-valley, spring beauty, bloodroot, and anemone).

The Project

Supervised by U.S. Forest Service personnel and volunteers, we will develop, maintain, and enhance trails in the Cheoah District of the Nantahala National Forest. Work varies, but may involve leveling and widening trails, creating water bars, removing deadfall, building steps, or trimming vegetation. Our work over the last 30 years has included repair of trails in Joyce Kilmer Forest, recutting a 2.5 mile section of the Appalachian Trail, creating a handicappedaccessible fishing path, and re benching sections of the Benton-MacKaye trail near Lake Fontana.

It can be hard work, but there is great satisfaction and collegiality in trail building -- especially when you see the results of your labor and are thanked by passing hikers. 

NOTE: Leaders will make every reasonable effort to meet the goals outlined in the itinerary. Please keep in mind that weather or other conditions may cause us to modify the itinerary in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the group.

Arrival is on Sunday in time to unpack and have an introductory meeting, followed by dinner in the Lodge Grill, with a wonderful view of the Smokey Mountains.

Each morning we’ll meet for breakfast, pack our lunches, and then head out to our ranger-assigned worksite. We’ll work each day on the trails and gather for late afternoon snacks before eating dinner at the lodge. There will be some evening programs, including an outdoor fire under the stars and wonderful local mountain music.

One day will be free from work and we’ll plan activities for rest or adventure.

The trip ends after breakfast on Saturday.

Getting There

Fontana Village Resort is located in western North Carolina, 20 miles north of Robbinsville on Highway 28. Transportation to the Resort will be on your own. closest airports are: Knoxville (65 miles) and Chattanooga (132 miles), Tennessee; Atlanta, Georgia (190 miles); and Asheville, North Carolina (95 miles). Driving directions will be provided to registered participants. An email will be sent to all participants to see if folks want to coordinate transportation.

Accommodations and Food

We'll be staying at Fontana Village Resort whose original lodgings were built in the late 1930s to house the Fontana Dam construction workers. Beautifully situated among the lush mountains of the Nantahala National Forest, the Lodge rooms have complete bathrooms, air conditioning, and other amenities. Trip price includes rooms (shared two to a room); single rooms are available at additional cost. Breakfast and three catered dinners (which will include at least one vegetarian option, along with other choices) will be provided by the Lodge. Three dinners will be at the expense of participants, at the Lodge Grill. Lunch fixings will be laid out before breakfast by the leaders to take to worksites.

Trip Difficulty

Adults and teens are welcome. The service activities are moderately strenuous. Our work tasks may vary or we may be doing the same kind of work every day. No one is expected to exceed his/her capabilities, but everyone should be able to hike 2-3 miles on possibly uneven terrain carrying a daypack and work tools. Participants will be asked by the Forest Service to sign an additional liability waiver for activities undertaken during the outing. Having comfortable lodging and good food will lighten our workload, and allow more time for other activities.

Equipment and Clothing

Temperatures may be cool in the evening, and warm during the day; typically ranging between 60-80 degrees. The average rainfall is 80 inches per year, so be prepared and bring good rain gear. A rain suit is far superior to a poncho, especially on windy days. You will need leather gloves to protect your hands and sturdy shoes or boots that are well broken-in and waterproof. You'll also need a daypack for your lunch, rain gear and a water bottle or two. You may want to bring a camera, binoculars, or scope. If you have favorite tools (pruners, loppers), you may wish to bring them. A more complete gear list will be sent to participants.

References

• Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest: www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/joycekil.html
• NC Sierra Club: nc2.sierraclub.org/group/wenoca
• Cheoah Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest: www.main.nc.us/graham/hiking/rangerhq.html
• Western NC attractions, hikes, etc:
• www.grahamstar.com/articles/2009/08/14/outdoors/doc4a3004d0b4d19940817856.txt
• www.westernncattractions.com

Conservation

We will discuss the life of the forests and the waterways of western NC, the devastating decline of the hemlocks and pines and the effects of neighboring coal mines and processing plants.

Service outings, in particular, stand out as one of the Sierra Club’s most important “boots on the ground” conservation efforts. The work done by service trip participants in our nation’s public lands is a way of practicing conservation in the most direct way possible, whether it’s improving access while preserving wilderness values, restoring wildlife habitat, or repairing human-caused damage to a natural area. Service trips are a great way to pitch in and do something tangible to make the world a better place; they’re a way to go beyond just talking about conservation; a way to get out there and experience conservation with your whole being.

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.