As we welcome in the New Year, we want to begin with some shout outs to our members.
Working Together
On December 21, Annette Owens reported numerous downed trees on her section from Flattop Mountain Summit to Simmons Gap. After hearing of the need for help, Jim Fye, one of our certified crosscut sawyers contacted Eric Seaborg, section co-maintainer to organize an outing. On December 28, Jill York joined Eric and Jim to work on the section. After six hours of work, all the blowdowns were removed and the trail clear for hikers.
Awesome teamwork everyone!!
On December 21, Annette Owens reported numerous downed trees on her section from Flattop Mountain Summit to Simmons Gap. After hearing of the need for help, Jim Fye, one of our certified crosscut sawyers contacted Eric Seaborg, section co-maintainer to organize an outing. On December 28, Jill York joined Eric and Jim to work on the section. After six hours of work, all the blowdowns were removed and the trail clear for hikers.
Awesome teamwork everyone!!
Welcome New Maintainers
Over the last few months, we have welcomed four new maintainers.
*Rachel Setear and Warren Catlett joined our group to help with the section from Sawmill Run Overlook to Jarman Gap. Both of them are avid hikers and were looking for a way to give back to the trail. Their first work trip included completing the 8-mile AT-Turk Branch-Moorman loop with their new 14" saw in hand.
*Michael Durland will be a co-maintainer of two sections. He will be joining Heather Warren on the section from Loft Mountain Campstore to Loft Mountain Amphitheater. Michael will also be helping new maintainers, Warren and Rachel on the section mentioned above. Michael is an enthusiast volunteer as he has completed training with the Hoodlum Crew and is also a member of Trail Patrol.
*Roger Smith joined our hike and open house at Ivy Creek Hut and decided that he was interested in learning more about trail maintenance. His request was to help with a section where the current maintainers wouldn't mind that he is learning. Pete Peterson and Mike Hammer welcomed his addition on their section from Loft Mountain Amphitheater to Doyle's River Trail.
Welcome aboard to the South District AT Team
Over the last few months, we have welcomed four new maintainers.
*Rachel Setear and Warren Catlett joined our group to help with the section from Sawmill Run Overlook to Jarman Gap. Both of them are avid hikers and were looking for a way to give back to the trail. Their first work trip included completing the 8-mile AT-Turk Branch-Moorman loop with their new 14" saw in hand.
*Michael Durland will be a co-maintainer of two sections. He will be joining Heather Warren on the section from Loft Mountain Campstore to Loft Mountain Amphitheater. Michael will also be helping new maintainers, Warren and Rachel on the section mentioned above. Michael is an enthusiast volunteer as he has completed training with the Hoodlum Crew and is also a member of Trail Patrol.
*Roger Smith joined our hike and open house at Ivy Creek Hut and decided that he was interested in learning more about trail maintenance. His request was to help with a section where the current maintainers wouldn't mind that he is learning. Pete Peterson and Mike Hammer welcomed his addition on their section from Loft Mountain Amphitheater to Doyle's River Trail.
Welcome aboard to the South District AT Team
First Day Hike
Pam Heinrich led a hike on the South District AT to kick off 2026. Four other hikers joined her for a shuttle hike from Smith Roach to Swift Run. Even with temperatures around 28 degrees and a brisk wind, the group warmed up quickly on their climb to the summit. They also met many other hikers on their way to Hightop. Everyone was greeted with "Happy New Year." Hikers that joined the fun were: Margaret Helber, Sharon Celsor-Hughes, Rosemary Eyre-Brook and Lynn Hatch. Maybe this will be the start of a New Year tradition.
What do you know about Hightop?
At 3,587 feet, Hightop is the highest peak in the southern district. It once was the site of a fire tower. From Shenandoah National Park's administrative history regarding the tower at Hightop:
"In CCC years and for a time thereafter towers were considered necessary in forest fire detection. C.V. Bert, project superintenent of Camp NP-3 (Camp Nira) reported building "two" fire towers on Hightop just south of Swift Run Gap:
"The first one... we didn't have any material or anything. Got some big, tall chestnut trees -- four of them, you know, and put them up there, and built a house on top...with chestnut shingles and everything. The boys used to stay up there, of course, and watch for fires. I think I worked them 24 hours on and 48 off. They'd take their provisions. You know, they liked that, Of course, the fire seasons, early spring and late fall-- they had to have heat up there and a fire to cook. And a spark from the stove set the shingles on fire, and the fire tower burned down....Then after that we built a steel tower with a copper cab on top. We had to carry concrete up there--on our backs."
The date of the fire tower fire was March 17, 1939.
In the fall of 1939, the NPS chief of forestry, on an inspection visit, mentioned the 40-foot-plus steel tower being erected.
Ode to Hightop–by Gary Forrest
Here’s to Hightop,
the second tallest mountain in the county of Greene
Named for our revolutionary savior during years that were lean.
From trillium in spring to the colors of fall
With glorious vistas, Hightop has it all.
Views of the ridge line in cobalt blue, the Massanutten slope beckons to you.
The Shenandoah Valley unfolds at your feet
And a feeling of peace makes life complete.
What secrets yet, do you still hide?
A silent cemetery on your west side
Majestic granite and a gurgling spring
Hightop, the place that makes my heart sing!
Pam Heinrich led a hike on the South District AT to kick off 2026. Four other hikers joined her for a shuttle hike from Smith Roach to Swift Run. Even with temperatures around 28 degrees and a brisk wind, the group warmed up quickly on their climb to the summit. They also met many other hikers on their way to Hightop. Everyone was greeted with "Happy New Year." Hikers that joined the fun were: Margaret Helber, Sharon Celsor-Hughes, Rosemary Eyre-Brook and Lynn Hatch. Maybe this will be the start of a New Year tradition.
What do you know about Hightop?
At 3,587 feet, Hightop is the highest peak in the southern district. It once was the site of a fire tower. From Shenandoah National Park's administrative history regarding the tower at Hightop:
"In CCC years and for a time thereafter towers were considered necessary in forest fire detection. C.V. Bert, project superintenent of Camp NP-3 (Camp Nira) reported building "two" fire towers on Hightop just south of Swift Run Gap:
"The first one... we didn't have any material or anything. Got some big, tall chestnut trees -- four of them, you know, and put them up there, and built a house on top...with chestnut shingles and everything. The boys used to stay up there, of course, and watch for fires. I think I worked them 24 hours on and 48 off. They'd take their provisions. You know, they liked that, Of course, the fire seasons, early spring and late fall-- they had to have heat up there and a fire to cook. And a spark from the stove set the shingles on fire, and the fire tower burned down....Then after that we built a steel tower with a copper cab on top. We had to carry concrete up there--on our backs."
The date of the fire tower fire was March 17, 1939.
In the fall of 1939, the NPS chief of forestry, on an inspection visit, mentioned the 40-foot-plus steel tower being erected.
Ode to Hightop–by Gary Forrest
Here’s to Hightop,
the second tallest mountain in the county of Greene
Named for our revolutionary savior during years that were lean.
From trillium in spring to the colors of fall
With glorious vistas, Hightop has it all.
Views of the ridge line in cobalt blue, the Massanutten slope beckons to you.
The Shenandoah Valley unfolds at your feet
And a feeling of peace makes life complete.
What secrets yet, do you still hide?
A silent cemetery on your west side
Majestic granite and a gurgling spring
Hightop, the place that makes my heart sing!
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