It’s not unusual for hikers out on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia to encounter a couple of GATC volunteers wearing hard hats working away with hand tools or sawing up a tree trunk blown down across the path. And often when I am out with our trail maintenance crews I get questions from hikers about who we are and what we are doing. In this Q&A I want to answer the questions I get most frequently from both hikers and new GATC members. 

If you read this post and have a question I don’t answer here, just drop me a note at    Email Us  

Helping others get involved is one of the most rewarding activities of this position, so let me know how I can help you.

Why does anyone want to work on the trail?

We all have our own reasons.  For me, it is the peace I find out in the forest; the stress relief and health benefits hard physical activity brings; the pleasure I get when I hear a hiker say, “Georgia has the best-maintained trails on the whole A.T.,” and  knowing that I had a part to play in that; the friends I’ve made (seriously, trail maintainers are the nicest people you’ll ever meet).  However, the biggest thrill I get is when I talk to someone whose life was changed by hiking the A.T., knowing that we in GATC helped make that possible.

I don’t know anything about trail maintenance.  Can I even do this?

If you are able to do even a moderate hike, you can participate in trail maintenance.  While there are some seriously challenging activities, much of the work occurs close to parking areas, and is no harder than walking.  We also encourage you to “just say no” if you are asked to do something you’re not comfortable doing.  We want you to always put your safety first.

 How do I  even begin?

Whether you are a GATC member or just curious about us and want to see what trail maintenance is all about, the best way to begin is to join a Third Saturday Work Trip.  As implied by the name, this occurs year round on the third Saturday of each month.  We usually put all the first-time attendees in one group, and we spend the day teaching you what we do, what tools we use, and how to work safely. You will do some actual trail work, but in a safe learning environment.

 How do I sign up for a work trip?

If you are not a GATC member, contact me

Email Us

I’ll take it from there with an invitation to join us and all the directions and information you will need. If you are a GATC member, just sign in to our website, click on Member Features, then on Upcoming Work Trips.  This will show a list of all upcoming work trips, so just fill out the form for the trip you want to attend.  If you want to sign up for multiple trips, fill out the form once for each trip.  

 Can I bring a friend/spouse?

Yes, in fact we encourage it.  Some of our most active maintainers started as a guest on a work trip, and discovered a new passion.  If you are a member, just help the guest sign up on the form as well so we are expecting them. If you are not a GATC member, include the names of anyone coming with you in your email.

 Can I bring my dog?

No, for safety reasons (for both you and your pet), pets are not allowed on group work trips.

 What time do you start and end?

Each work trip has its own unique needs, but typically we start at 9 a.m. and end around 3 p.m.  Please show up a minimum of 15 minutes early so you can get signed in, get crew assignments, and catch the safety briefing.  If you need  to leave early, be sure to let the trip leader know in advance.  This happens often, and we take it in stride, so don’t let the need for an early departure stop you from attending.  As we like to say, any work you do is better than any work that doesn’t get done.

 I worry I will damage the trail due to not knowing what to do.

Don’t worry, we are here to guide you and we won’t let you do any serious damage.  Actually, most beginners don’t do enough to change the trail as they try to “leave no trace.”  Trail maintenance often involves leaving a LOT of trace, because we are changing the tread in some significant way.  We’ll show you how to blend the changes in to be less noticeable, but don’t be afraid to move some dirt – it’s what we do.

 Do I need to bring my own tools?

No, we provide all of the tools you will need, as well as safety gear.  In fact, for the first few trips, I would suggest NOT bringing any tools while you learn how to use our tools.  After that, if you want to bring your own, you certainly can. 

 How far do I have to walk?

There is no single answer to this.  Sometimes the work is only a few yards away from the parking lot.  Usually it’s less than a mile.  But sometimes, it can be a couple miles just to get to the worksite.  If you are concerned with the distance, just ask the trip leader (who is always identified in the sign-up form) how far it is (or how steep, if that’s a concern). If you are not a member, let me know of any concerns about distance in your email to me.

 How do you become a GATC trail maintainer?

Join GATC if you are not already a member. Then let me know you are interested in becoming a trail maintainer. We will welcome you onboard and provide you the training you need and pair you up with an experienced trail maintainer assigned to a specific section of the Appalachian Trail.

How often do GATC trail maintainers have to attend work trips?

As often as they like.  While section maintainers commit to working on their section at least four times a year, there is no minimum level of participation for going on group trips.