Re: RC: equestrian trails partnership opportunity

[sue <drsue@timesnet.net>]

This sounds very interesting. My husband and I would like to pursue
this. We need to know more exact location(we're from Pittsburgh need to
know how long a haul) Also while in good shape I am a 51 year old
female- unable to use chain saws etc Will I be of enough help?
DrSue
Beaver Pa

"guest@endurance.net" wrote:

> Candace Bourne jeffeca@vetmed.auburn.edu
> My husband Brian and I met Dwayne Stutzman at NTS He is
> Regional Trails Specialist with NC Division of Parks &
> Recreation/Trails Program. He has an interesting proposal
> for a partnership with equestrians and hikers. PLease read
> and if you might be interested let me know and I will send you
> an application.
> _____
>
> HELP PRESERVE HORSE USE OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN THE GREAT
> SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
>
> Introducing a new Trail Maintenance Program for Equestrians who
> want to help the Appalachian Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains
> National Park remain open to equestrian use - A partnership
> between local equestrian groups, the NC Division of Parks &
> Recreation, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the Smoky
> Mountains Hiking Club and the Appalachian Trail Conference (ATC).
>
> Horse use of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) is
> unique to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  About 35 of
> the 70 miles of A.T. in the Smokies is open to horse use, the
> only equestrian section of the 2167 mile long Appalachian Trail.
> Constructed as a hiking path, most of the A.T. is not built
> to equestrian standards.  Originally, more of the A.T. in the
> Smokies was open to horse use, but A.T. sections that sustained
> significant resource damage to the footpath, due to a
> combination of sharp hooves, steep slopes and heavy rain
> were closed to horse use by the National Park Service, most
> recently in about 1978.
>
> Since then, hikers have worked intermittently to close the rest
> of the A.T. in the Smokies to equestrian use. That is until 1995,
> when hikers and riders decided to bury the hatchet and work
> together.  Now A.T. managers are working with riders to help
> assure that those sections of the A.T. open to horse use are
> put into good shape so that they may remain open to horse use.
>
> In 1995 an historic agreement was signed between horseback riders
> and hikers regarding the A.T. in Smokies.  This agreement has
> resulted in close cooperation, equestrian maintenance of some
> sections of the A.T., and several significant relocations of
> the A.T. built to equestrian standards by volunteer hikers under
> the direction of the ATC.  These hiking volunteers were members
> of ATC's volunteer Rocky Top Trail Crew, with supplies packed in
> by local equestrian groups.
>
> Volunteer trail maintainers in the Smokies, both hikers and
> riders, are in short supply, and the Park Service does not have
> the funds to hire enough people to care for all the trails in
> the Smokies, let alone the A.T. Owing to the success of the Rocky
> Top Trail Crew, equestrians suggested a similar volunteer crew
> be started for riders. The NC Division of Parks & Recreation has
> taken the lead with this new program which will be started in
> 2001.  There will be two summer trips, which will be open to
> equestrians only.  Each work trip will last for a five days.
>
> The crew will stay in the beautiful and remote Pecks corner area,
> using a NPS maintenance cabin as camp.  Led by a professional
> trail crew leader, the equestrian trail crew will  rehabilitate
> the A.T. between Peck's Corner and Tricorner Knob, all open to
> horse use.  This project will be used to provide a model for
> future equestrian maintenance programs within the Smokies.
>
> Come join us. Spend a week (or two) in one of the most beautiful
> places in the eastern US.  All you need is your horse (which must
> be in good condition) and yourself (also in good condition, as
> you will be doing fairly heavy labor.)  We will provide you with
> GREAT SCENERY, GOOD FOOD, LODGING (after you get to the trail),
> all the trail work tools and equipment needed, experienced leader
> ship and the opportunity for lots of fun and good companionship.
> No experience is necessary; only the willingness to work hard
> and get dirty.  And you will help ensure that this part of the
> A.T. in the Smokies remain open to horse use!
>
>
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