Members
Note: This section is for members only of the Trails Committee. This page is hidden from search engines and there are no links to it. Please do not share this link with anyone outside the committee. Keep checking this page, to stay on top of new information and links.
See the current roster if you need to contact a trail overseer. You can sort the sheet by right-mouse clicking the top of a column and then selecting “sort sheet A-Z”.
“Walking the trails in Big Canoe always lifts my spirits and energizes me. I joined the Trails Committee to enjoy time on the trails, and to keep them in good shape to help encourage and welcome other people to get out and experience them as well.”
Report trail inspections and issues:
When you submit a trail report with the form, it will appear in a spreadsheet. See the spreadsheet entries:
“We moved to Big Canoe in Aug. 2016 and joined the Trails Committee in September the same year. Having been the Public Health Officer in Grand Teton National Park it only seemed natural to me and my wife Diane to join the Committee. Serving brings us unparalleled joy to work on the trails with Mother Nature ”
“When I moved here in 2011 (part time) I hiked up Nancy Womack Trail (right next to my house) and it just stopped at the falls. The I ran into Mo and he invited me to join the committee, I asked if there were plans for connecting NWT through to the top and he told me it was their number one priority. So I joined to lend a shoulder. We made sure we were in Big Canoe for every work weekend so I could go play in the woods with the other boys.”
Tools
Watch videos on tool use here.
We have a few shovels, pulaskis, mattocks and a rock bar at our stash at the Borrow Pit.
Also the Corona Tools donation of limb saw, big loppers, pruners, machete, folding saw and cane knife, which are at Liz’s place, so call her (770-778-2369) when you need to use any of them.
Mitch also has additional tools available for us, like mattocks, sledgehammers, loppers, a huge crowbar and many more, courtesy of his company. Contact him to borrow tools: mwaldman41@gmail.com, (678) 343-5733.
“A primary reason we selected Big Canoe to be our home is to have the ability to walk out our front door and enjoy nature. We can walk to trails, or take a short drive and have an assortment of trails to enjoy without having to leave our neighborhood. Now that we are semi-retired, we want to give back to our community and help maintain the trails we’ve been enjoying for years. ”
“A good way to make friends is to work with them. I joined for that reason, and because I wanted a change from having spent my working life indoors. I also enjoy seeing something done well: the high standard of the construction and maintenance of the trails.”
Resources
Guidelines for Blazing Trails in Big Canoe
Ga Appalachian Trail Club trail maintenance guide
Appalachian Trail Training Videos
Produced by the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club
Jeff Marion: Trail Design and Management
Morgan Sommerville: Trail Construction and Maintenance (starts late)
Mike Cordisco: Introduction to Crosscut Sawyering
“I have hiked all of my life (70 years) and love being outdoors, on trails and meeting new people with shared interests. Whether the BCTC or the GATC I feel good seeing people enjoying trails that I have helped to maintain or improve, or to serve through sharing what I have learned. And it gives me an excuse to get out, get exercise, form new friendships and hopefully leave this earth a little better than when I arrived.”
“I was recruited to the Trails Committee by Clardy shortly after moving to Big Canoe. As an avid hiker, I felt it was important to help maintain a resource that I used on a regular basis.”
Member Duties
“One of the top amenities that drew us to Big Canoe over 4 years ago was all the outdoor activities available with the trail system being right up at the top. We have been frequent users of the trails but honestly had no idea how they were maintained (and the word “maintained” doesn’t do it justice as they are in great shape with so much creativity on many of them). I believe the work done on the High Gap trail is when we realized it was Big Canoe residents involved. Then, our dear friends, the Waldmans, asked if we were interested in helping them out on the Lake Trail. We enthusiastically said YES. We consider it a privilege to have such an amazing trail system in this community and are happy to do our share to see it continue. We hope it brings tp others as much pleasure, joy, relaxation, gratitude, etc. that it has brought us.”
Members typically get assigned a trail to maintain. Some are easy, such as a paved trail at Wildcat, and others are hard, like Nancy Womack, which has 4 people assigned to it. Most trails have one overseer. That’s not cast in stone. Trails like John Williams, Covered Bridge or Upper Falls are good candidates to have an additional person assigned to them, if the current overseers so wish it, for example.
Members must report their time and the work they did. It didn’t used to be this way, but we found that the POA and residents had no clue how much work we quietly put into maintaining Big Canoe’s #1 amenity. For free. Now, at the year-end report to the GM we can provide numbers and a list of accomplishments.
“I wanted to help maintain and clean up the trails. Loved hiking them, and realize it’s another opportunity to volunteer. Especially in an area many do not have the health to do it. ”
Inspect your trail
At least once a month
After heavy rain, strong winds and such
If you can’t do it contact Liz, Steve or another member to arrange for someone to go check it
“I joined the committee because the activities give me incentive and opportunities to get some exercise beyond just walking the trails. And of course it is important and personally rewarding to contribute to the general effort involved in the creation and maintenance of the trails that are such an essential value element of Big Canoe. I also enjoy meeting other residents and socializing in our outdoor environment.”
Maintain your trail
“My wife Sheila and I have been enjoying the Big Canoe Trails since we bought as weekenders in Fall of 2016.
We had no idea of what goes into maintaining these magnificent trails.
As we learned more over the years (we are now here full time since last Summer), we wanted to give back and join the BCTC.
We couldn’t be happier to have been assigned the beautiful Lake Trail to take care of.
We are elated to be a part of this well-managed, selfless group of BC neighbors.”
Cut back vegetation and weeds to keep a 3’ wide and 7’ tall corridor. It’s especially important to keep the grasses off so they don’t graze people’s legs, to avoid ticks and chiggers. Cut back branches with pointy leaves more aggresively, like hollies and pine bows. Keep briars cut back or kill if you can. Watch for poison ivy and spray it with RoundUp (Maintenance uses Roundup on all the common areas, so we follow their lead). Weed eaters can be borrowed from Maintenance (ask Liz).
Check that bridges are clear of debris and are not slippery. If slippery, use Wet & Forget, or consider using roofing material (ask Liz), or for the most durable, use diamond mesh lathing (ask Liz).
“I joined for the opportunity to help maintain and improve one Big Canoe’s best assets. ”
Watch for “toe stubbers” like a root burl sticking up or a pointy rock and either dig it up or build up the trail around it. Same thing with small roots where the ground erodes beneath it and can catch your foot. Either cut them if small or build up the trail to level off the root.
Watch for signs of erosion.
Put stepping stones in boggy spots or bog bridges.
Watch for wasp nests. Liz and Steve have wasp warning signs you can install until you can get back and spray (or ask Liz to do it). Liz has spray she gets from Maintenance.
If big jobs come up such as fallen trees, heavy erosion or other damage, report it to arrange for a work day with several members to clear or fix the issues.
“Prior to moving to Big Canoe, I spent every vacation for 30 years coming to North Georgia to hike. Whether it was the Appalachian Trail, Blood Mountain, Raven’s Cliffs, or Brasstown Bald, I was always impressed with the condition of the trails, and so thankful for the work that someone had done. Now I live in Big Canoe, and it is my turn and privilege to be a trail caretaker. It is my way of giving back to the community. It is also an opportunity to assure that the tradition of revering nature can continue for all who visit our trails”
Work days
Depending on the work at hand, bring tools such as shovels, mattocks, pickaxes, axes, chainsaws, rock bars, loppers, rakes, hand saws, straps, etc.
“I enjoy being a part of the Trails Committee because it is very satisfying to know that we are helping others to share in the beauty of these mountains that surround us. ”
Wear protective gear when using chainsaws: hard hat, eye and hearing protection, gloves, chaps.
Be sure someone brings the big first aid kit.
Take before and after pictures!
“I joined to help keep Big Canoe a beautiful place to enjoy the outdoors as we hike.”
“I joined the Trails Committee because I enjoy walking the trails and feel that I have a responsibility to help maintain the them.”
Meeting Minutes
“The Blackwell Springs Lake Trail in Waterford Park is in my back yard. We moved from a farm where maintaining trails was a constant activity. Not only does being part of the trail committee keep us engaged in trail clearing but we take personal pride in making sure it stays open for all to enjoy. We walk it almost every day.”
View the slides for the presentation to Leadership Big Canoe March 2022 by Liz and Mitch: