Via Corvus:

Woodworkers/Engineers Needed at Stinging Fork State Natural Area

Ed and Arleen Decker were contacted by Lisa Huff with the State of Tennessee Division of State Natural Areas with a plea for help. The trail at Stinging Fork State Natural Area in Spring City (1 hr from Knoxville) is in dire need of two wood staircases on steep sections of the trail. One staircase would be approx. 27' long (with one landing where the staircase needs to make a turn); the other staircase is approx. 16' long. A picture is attached of an existing staircase on the trail. The two new ones could be the same design. Lisa has very detailed sketches and measurements that she can provide.

Lisa has a grant to buy all the lumber, bolts, and supplies needed. She can also arrange for two Natural Area staff people to deliver the lumber and supplies by Gator to within 25 ft. of the first staircase at the top of the gorge, and they can also stay to help work on the project. Materials would need to be hand carried down to the second staircase. Cordless drills, chainsaw, mattocks, hammers, and other tools can be shuttled in via Gator. It's a 1/2 mile level, easy walk from the trailhead on Shut-in Gap Rd. to the rim of the gorge where the trail starts to drop steeply. The two staircases that need to be built are almost within sight of each other.

The trail continues another 1/2 mile down into Stinging Fork Gorge to a spectacular waterfall with a wonderful swimming hole (the reward after the work is done!). Ed and I took a swim the other day while we were there scoping out the site.

If you're interested in leading or helping out with this project, call or email Ed and Arleen Decker at 865-856-7262 or onceuponatimetwo@bellsouth.net.

The work needs to be done before the end of November because of the grant deadline, so ideally the work needs to be done in September or October.