Just watched the weather report, and we are promised clear weather for Friday. And the rangers at Holmes are eagerly awaiting our arrival. Seems they have some rather large logs to assemble into an educational piece. And there is a good bit of trail work to be done as well. Meet at the Holmes ranger station at 8. Come prepared to have your picture taken at the shed we constructed (wear your best trail jeans Harvey). As always, please let me know if you will be out so I can arrange the tools. Bill

Folks, It looks like the Wednesday crew is going to get the rain this week and we get the sun. Much better than last week. Lets plan to go to Balsam Gap maintenance area and build on the new trail going South. The Parkway may be closed, but I think we can get to the new trail without going on the parkway, so we should be in good shape. Bring digging tools, fire racks and loppers. Asheville people meet at the Home Depot at exit 44 of I-40 at 8:00. Hendersonville folks at Ingles at 7:20. As always, please let me know if you plan to come.Skip

Anyone interested in joining the trail crews contact: Hendersonville area-Bill Newton, 828-693-4033, Brevard area-Dick Johnson, 828-884-3685, Asheville area-Skip Shelton, 828-891-3264 or Piet Bodenhorst, 828-298-8371

There is in fact a barrier on the NC side of the access to Street Gap in the form of a gate. It should have a Forest Service lock as well as a private landowner lock to allow dual access, both for Forest Service employees and CMC volunteers. The landowner was having trouble with unwanted access and decided to install a gate to protect his property. Anyway, it is expected the gate will remain unless the landowner decides to remove it and any work being done in the area will be granted access. Hiking trips conducted by the Carolina Mountain Club are expected to do as was done this last time, go through Tennessee to gain access. Let me know if you have any questions! Derek Ibarguen Natural Resource Recreation Manager U.S. Forest Service Appalachian Ranger District (828) 682-6146

December 20, 2003 - The Central Blue Ridge Task Force will host a workday on the Woods Mt. Trail/MST near Marion. Meet at the K-mart in Morganton at 8:30 AM sharp. All tools are provided. Camping is available on the Woods Mt. Trail as well. You MUST RSVP to Bob Benner at (828) 437-6635.

We currently have several sections on the Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) that would love to have a caring individual who can adopt a section of their very own. As a trail maintainer, you would be the MST's most important advocate and protector. In this role, you would become familiar with trail maintenance techniques so that you understand the big picture as you perform the simple, recurring maintenance and repairs necessary to keep the trail in good repair. One your most important duties would be the "eyes" and "ears" of your section. The section supervisors are responsible for all of the "heavy duty" work and should be contacted to perform trail work you would not feel comfortable doing.

Weather does not look too good for this Friday. Let's plan a close in job just in case we can get out. Weather permitting meet at the Pisgah Ranger Station at 8 and we will work Cat Gap Trail. Reports of some blow downs there, and it always seems to need some tread work near the top.

Should there be a foot of snow on the ground, and winds of 30mph or more, I likely will not be out.