trail maint.

trail flowers - spring
-- blue.
-- orange.
-- pink.
-- purple.
-- red.
-- white.
-- yellow.
-- critters.
-- misc.

trail flowers - fall
-- blue.
-- orange.
-- pink.
-- purple.
-- red.
-- white.
-- yellow.
-- critters.
-- misc.

trail geology.
trail history.
trail lakes.
trail maps.
trail measurement-alabama.
trail re-supply.
trail safety.
trail seasons.
trail shelters.
trail shuttles - hostels.
trail signs.
trail stewardship.
trail summits.
trail towers.
trail towns - mail drops: ala.
trail users.
trail water sources.
~~~~~~~~~
this n that.
alabama ycc.
an appalachian trail.
as the crow flies.
at connector.
backpacker magazine.
black bear safety.
bluffton al.
buffalo.
building section 4.
bull - bulls gap.
cave spring, ga.
cellphone service.
dehydration.
dr, tom mcgehee.
edward abbey.
forever wild.
future section 14.
hancock trg.
hiking the pinhoti.
horn mountain tower.

horn mountain trail club
-- hmtc.
-- activities.
-- base camp.
-- tool safety.
-- trail crew.
-- trail maint.

leave no trace.
moon names.
outdoor alabama.
panoramas.
peace signs.
pinhoti trail project.
pinky burns.
prescribed burns: fs.
pta formation.
rainbow family.
rebecca mountain: 1.
rebecca mountain: 2.
ridges and highlands.
rock n roll.
section re-du.
shoal creek church.
sister ridge.
skyway lodge.
smokey bear.
snake bites.
soul of a hiker.
the ten bulls.
the ramen chronicles.
trail running.
tri training.
ultralight gearlist: 2021.
ultralight gearlist: 2008.
wildlife - eco restore.
zen running.
~~~~~~~~~

pinhoti national recreation trail / pinhoti millennium legacy trail

a 337.1 mile southern region appalachian trail connector

In case of emergencies, dial 911. This is the only public service that will know your exact location

Do phone reset first ~ go to settings / go to privacy / turn on location services

visit the georgia pinhoti trail association for the georgia section trail guides and trail info

(4400)

the pta's busiest month to date ~ feb 2016 ~ 40,168 web hits

current weather @ pinhoti trail mid-point ~ s14 - 7.3 ~ cave spring trailhead

hmtc maintenance guidelines.
(hmtc is no longer active)

maintenance guidelines for volunteers.

All trail maintenance is done in accordance with the
Appalachian Trail Conservancy standards.The "Appalachian
Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance" manual can be
purchased through the ATC Ultimate Trail Store for about $15.

trail maintenance categories.
1. Cleaning Drainage Channels
2. Clearing Trees, Branches, Annual Grasses, Brush
3. Clearing Blowdowns
4. Painting Blazes

1. Cleaning Drainage Channels
As you travel along the trail, you will quickly notice that there are very few level sections.
The rolling, weaving nature of the trail is an intended design feature developed through
the accumulation of generations of trail construction experience (what works and what
doesn't). The biggest threat to a trail is erosion and what you can expect to see alot are
series of rolling dips spaced about 30' to 50' apart whose sole purpose is to drop water
off the trail. During the year, loose dirt, rocks, sticks and leaves will wash down and
settle at the bottom of the dip and form a berm that blocks the natural flow of water
off the trail. Maintenance of these dips will require these berms to be raked back up on
the trail, minus the sticks and trash, and then packing it down with your feet.

2. Clearing Trees, Branches, Annual Grasses, Brush
The following standards are condensed highlights that have been taken directly from the
Appalachian Trail Design, Construction and Maintenance manual provided by the
Appalachian Trail Conservancy, ATC.

The ATC Clearing Standard
The trail shall be kept clear of vegetation and obstructions that unnecessarily impede
foot travel. It shall be cleared to such a width and height that a hiker with a pack can
walk the trail without undue difficulty.

Width
As a general rule, clear the trail to a width of four feet. In some cases, you may want to
vary your clearing practices to prevent deterioration of the trail and it's surroundings.
On trails constructed across a slope, clear woody and annual growth on the bank above the
trail but only woody growth on the downhill side, to guide hikers to the inside of the trail
tread, which is normally stronger.

Height
Clear the trail to a height of eight feet. Remove branches that obscure the vision of
descending hikers, as well as those that will droop and block the trail when weighted down
with rain or snow.

Pruning Technique
The main thing to remember about pruning is to trim branches, brush or small trees flush.
Stumps can trip hikers. Stubs can catch on clothing, appear unnatural and slow the healing
of the tree. Cut stumps close to the ground. Prune limbs where they fork from larger
limbs or the tree trunk. If you have to remove the top of a young tree, remove the entire
tree. Just cutting the leader stem stimulates lateral growth into the trail.

3. Clearing Blowdowns
Volunteers are not permitted to use chainsaws in the Talladega National Forest unless
they have a USFS Class A, B or C Sawyer certification card.

4. Painting Blazes
The blaze system on the Pinhoti Trail follows the guidelines set by the Appalachian Trail
Conservancy, with the only exception being that we use blue for the main trail and white
for side trails.

Color
Wal Mart Exterior Latex Enamel, name of blue color - Stencil ~ main trail.
Wal Mart Exterior Latex Enamel, White ~ side trails.

Size
Blazes should be about the size of a dollar bill (appx. 2"x6").

Brush
Use a cheap 1 1/2" brush. When you press down on the brush, the bristles will spread to
2". Measure 6" along the brush, starting from the tip of the bristles, and make a mark on
the handle to use as your guide.

Preparation
Smooth bark trees are the best choice. If you need to use a rough bark tree, then you
will need to smooth off a very small section of the bark. The cheapest tool for this is a
small bow saw or a pocket saw. Be careful not to cut into the inner bark and draw sap.

Location
Try to paint blazes at eye level on hardwood trees that are at least 6" in diameter.
Sometimes when there are no trees, it may be necessary to use 4"x4" posts or paint
blazes on rocks. When using rocks, try to use a smaller rock instead of painting on the
side of a big boulder.

Distance
The standard distance between blazes is 1/10th of a mile, or 264 - two foot long steps.
In areas that may be confusing to hikers, try to paint the next blaze where you can see it
from the one you are standing beside. This is called "line of sight" or "see one from one".

Single Blaze
A standard 2"x6" vertical rectangle, which is used as the trail guide.

Double Blaze
Two standard 2"x6" vertical rectangles, which are used to make you aware of an upcoming
trail feature; side trails, road crossings, water, camps, etc.. The second blaze is set inline
above the first blaze with a 2" space between them.

Off-Set Double Blaze
Two standard 2"x6" vertical rectangles, which are used to make you aware of an upcoming
turn on the trail. The second blaze is set above the first blaze with a 2" space between
them and is also off-set either 2" to the left or 2" to the right, showing which way to turn.

Report the following problems to the PTA
Blowdowns / deadfalls / leaners / eroded trail / eroded switchbacks / washed out spring
and creek crossings / insufficient trail markings and signs / unmarked turns and road
crossings / damaged shelters, picnic tables, bridges, signs / any suspicious or illegal
activity.

Tools
Volunteers are asked to provide their own trail maintenance tools: small loppers, small
bow saw, small digging tool, gloves and safety glasses.

Volunteers should dress appropriately for trail work and use gloves, safety glasses and
other protective gear when necessary. All work shall take place during daylight hours and
be performed with safety in mind.

Do not attempt any tasks that you are not comfortable with.

HMTC
ACTIVITIES
BASE CAMP

TOOL SAFETY

TRAIL CREW
TRAIL MAINT

^ climb up.