Sixty students from 6 universities joined more than 40 TTA/CTC volunteers to
complete the revitalization of the Tennessee River Gorge Segment and revitalize
the Bowater Stinging Fork and Piney River gorges. In the Gorge, students
and volunteers constructed 3 bridges in Richie Hollow on the Pot Point Loop Trail
and completed the Signal Point Trailhead restoration, including a 25-ft ramp with
platform stairs and trail- and bluff-side surface restoration. Further efforts
saw the reconstruction of a 20-ft suspension bridge located between Signal Point
and the Middle Creek suspension bridge. A new switchback was built from the North
Suck Creek suspension bridge up to Musroom Rock. It will provide easier access for
the hiker and solve the erosion problem of the old switchback. Further trail
revitalization saw the reconstruction of a 1-mile rock stretch on Short Creek on
the Mullens Cove Loop Trail and the restoration of an original spur trail to the
CT from Hwy 27, including the construction of a rock staircase at the entrance on
Hwy 27. The trail tread within the Stinging Fork and Piney River gorges was rebuilt,
including the construction of a set of falling stairs within the Stinging Fork gorge
that had recently been destroyed by winter ice storms.
Students came from the University of Vermont, University of South Carolina, East Illinois University, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and Washburn University. We salute their dedication and hard work, and we continue to be inspired by these students!
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