The Friends’ Trails Team


The FSC Trails Team assists Park Managers and Staff with the design, build, assessment, maintenance and/or rerouting of nearly 85 miles of world-class trails and trail structures in South Cumberland State Park.

Take a moment to watch the six-minute video below, which has examples of the many trails-related tasks and projects on which volunteers have assisted...
Introduction to the FSC Trails Team and what it does
TTA awards grant to FSC for trail mile markers throughout the Park
PicturePictured above, at South Cumberland State Park’s Information & Welcome Center trailhead are (L-R): FSC Trail Friends Area Coordinator Marietta Poteet; TTA Evan Means Grant Committee Chair Joan Hartvigsen; SCSP Manager George Shinn; SCSP Assistant Manager Bill Knapp; FSC Trails Committee Chair Bruce Blohm; and (kneeling) SCSP Ranger Jessie DeRight. They are each holding samples of the trail marker medallions, similar to those that will be acquired with the TTA grant.


 
The Tennessee Trails Association (TTA) awarded an Evan Means Grant to the Friends of South Cumberland State Park, helping fund an FSC initiative to install custom mileage marker/location identifier medallions on nearly 87 miles of trail in South Cumberland State Park (SCSP).  The medallions will improve hiker locational awareness and safety, while assisting in Rangers’ rescue efforts.  This system of color-coded markers will also make possible more detailed trail maps. 
The Mile Marking Field Team: Volunteers at work in the Fiery Gizzard, measuring trail for precise placement of the new mile marker system on every mile of trail in the park.  By the end of March, 2021, nearly 83% of the trails had been marked.  Completion is scheduled for Spring of 2021.
New Staircase Completed at Foster Falls

Thanks to the Tennessee Trails Association (TTA) for providing a grant to fund the materials for a new staircase at the top of the Climbers’ Access Trail at Foster Falls.  The Evan Means grant allowed SCSP Park Rangers Jason Reynolds, Ryan Harris and Dan Wescoat to purchase the lumber, concrete and other materials to construct the new staircase, which replaced an aging set of steps at the top of this busy trail.  

Volunteers from the Friends of South Cumberland, the Southeast Climbers’ Association and other groups continue working to rebuild most of the descending portion of the trail, between the new staircase and the cable footbridge below the Foster Falls plunge pool.  

If you’d like to volunteer to help on any Trails Team projects, FSC Trails Team Chair Bruce Blohm (bruce.blohm@gmail.com) for upcoming work day information.
 PictureCelebrating the completion of the new Foster Falls staircase, and accepting the TTA Evan Means grant that made it possible, clockwise from lower right: TTA's Joan Hartvigsen; FSC Trails Chair Bruce Blohm; TTA President Libby Francis; SCSP Rangers Dan Wescoat, Ryan Harris and Jason Reynolds; and FSC Director Marietta Poteet.