by Julie Dodd
Help restore Bullhead Trail by joining the Trails Forever Crew on Working Wednesdays, starting July 9 through Oct. 15.
The workday is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can work just one Wednesday or multiple Wednesdays, and you must sign up in advance.
Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Those under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
You will work under the supervision of the Trails Forever Crew, the National Park Service team funded by Friends of the Smokies that restores popular trails in Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Bullhead Trail is the eighth restoration project by the Trails Forever Crew. Friends of the Smokies established the Trails Forever program in 2012.
The Bullhead restoration is scheduled for 2025 and 2026.
Helping the Trails Forever Crew is your opportunity to give back to the park and to continue the legacy of the Civil Conservation Crew that constructed the Bullhead Trail in the 1930s.
Register for Wednesday Workdays
Please read the “Volunteer with Trails Forever” webpage to learn more. To sign up for a workday and receive meeting place information, contact the Trails Forever Crew supervisor, Josh Shapiro. Send an email to Josh_Shapiro@nps.gov or call 865-436-1586.
Based on my experience volunteering with the Trails Forever Crew on the restoration of Chimney Tops and Alum Cave trails, you’ll have a rewarding day as a volunteer. You will contribute to the trail work, see the skilled work done by the crew, and learn what’s involved in trail restoration and maintenance.
You’ll also get a lot of exercise, as you hike to and from the work site and perform your assigned duties. Volunteers must be about to hike at least four miles and safely perform strenuous manual labor.
Duties completed by volunteers
Duties for volunteers include vegetation pruning, rock and root removal, widening and grading the trail, and assisting the crew with construction of wood structures such as steps and trail supports.
Volunteers should be comfortable using hand tools such as shovels, rakes, axes and loppers. The park provides the tools and safety gear, and volunteers receive directions and training from the crew.
Volunteers must wear sturdy closed-toe footwear and long pants and must bring a day pack with food, water, rain gear and other personal gear.
One of my duties on a workday was to search the area near the trail to locate stinging nettles and then transplant them along the sides of a staircase. The strategy was to use the plants as a way to keep hikers on the stairs and not walking off the trail, which causes erosion. I certainly was glad I was wearing long pants.
Working, learning, and feeling pride
During my workdays, I was impressed with how crew supervisor Josh Shapiro designed tasks for the volunteers – individuals and groups – and provided directions and supervision as needed.
During our hike to the work location, he pointed out trail improvements the crew had made and what was involved, including helicopter delivery of equipment and materials.
Another great benefit of volunteering is the pride you’ll have from being a part of restoring the trail.
Every time I hike Alum Cave or Chimney Top trails, I take note of the staircases I helped with and point them out to my hiking companions.
For more information about Wednesday Workdays, check the Friends of the Smokies website about volunteering with the Trails Forever crew.
Thanks to Adam Monroe, South District (NC) Trails Acting Supervisor, for providing the information about Wednesday Workdays!
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Trails Forever restoration projects
The Trails Forever Crew has restored Ramsey Cascades Trail, Alum Cave Trail, Rainbow Falls Trail, Trillium Gap Trail, Abrams Falls Trail, Chimney Tops Trail and Forney Ridge Trail.
The photograph at the top is of volunteers who worked with the Trails Forever Crew on the Ramsey Cascades Trail restoration in 2024.
You can support Trails Forever restoration projects by making a donation.