Alternative Spring Break on
The Cumberland Trail
BreakAway for 2018 worked on the long awaited link between Black Mountain and Ozone Falls in Cumberland County, Tennessee. The six mile route runs along a strip of land acquired by the State in early 2017.
The CT departs from the nature loop on top of Black Mountain and tracks roughly due East. The first half mile was built during ASB 2009 and created a dead end. CTC professional crew returned to the area in 2017 and pushed another three quarters of a mile into the Sand Creek area.
Alternative Spring Break 2018 Tally
In the four weeks of ASB, students and local volunteers constructed another 1.9 miles of trail. The new section is not open and is not continuous. Work picked up from end of trail off East side of Black Mountain on Week One. By Week Three, the approach to the work site had shifted to an old access road off Renegade Mountain.
Great thanks to the 165 students, Whole Foods volunteers, local volunteers, paid crew, and the staff at Camp Ozone for making this a very successful BreakAway. In spite of the unsettled weather, only one day was lost due to rain or snow.
Colleges who participated: Boston University, Centre College, University of Colorado -Boulder, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Michigan State, University of Delaware, Pitt, and the University of South Florida.
Pitt, Boston and MSU at Black Mountain, Week 1, ASB 2018. (Wilson)
Full ASB 2018 photo albums on our Facebook page HERE.
Week One completed 4,100 feet of trail! Forty-eight students from Boston, Pitt, and Michigan State joined regular staff and local volunteers to make a big dent in the new connection ! Great thanks to all!
“I only regret that I have but one ‘love’ to give for this photo. This was such an awesome group from BU and such a real treat to work with them. I missed them before even saying ‘goodbye for now.'” Danny Smith, CTC Trail Crew
During Week 2, CTC hosted 20 students from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and University of South Florida. Florida students were very excited to be greeted by real snow on Monday morning. Almost 3/4 of an inch was just enough to make miniature snowmen. By 1 PM the wind died down – wind chills had been in the 20s – and we were able to hike and get in two solid hours of work. Along with trail crew and local volunteers the students constructed over 1,500 feet of new trail including many stone steps. Shauna says, “Thank you all for your help. You are appreciated more than you know!”
University of South Florida students were treated to a minor snow storm on Monday of Week Two. By 1 PM the wind died down – wind chills had been in the 20s – and the sun came out. By 2 PM they were in the trail for the first day of instruction and work.
University of South Florida at the end of trail work ASB 2018, Week 2. Behind them ASB Week 3 continues to the crossing of Basin Branch in the background. (Richie)
Centre College students on the rock ledge at Black Mountain on the Cumberland Trail. ASB 2018. (Wilson)
Centre College students pause from trail work during ASB 2018. (Wilson)
Week Three we were joined by students from Centre College and 20 volunteers from Whole Foods! They dodged rain and snow to complete 1,800 feet of trail.
University of Delaware students during ASB 2018 on Black Mountain, Cumberland County, Tennessee. (Wilson)
University of Colorado – Boulder students at Black Mountain, ASB 2018. (Wilson)
Week Four: University of Delaware arrived on Saturday and started work on Sunday. They were joined on Sunday by University of Colorado – Boulder on Saturday to add another 1,000 feet of trail.