A collaborative effort between public and private entities was responsible for repair work on a section of the Appalachian Trail that was damaged by a landslide in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The landslide was 10 miles from the nearest road near Pecks Corner in the GSMNP that fell more than 200 feet down the slope. The repair took six days in October to complete and illustrated the strength of the A.T.’s Cooperative Management System.

The groups involved in the repair included the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP), the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club, and the National Park Service’s Appalachian Trail Park Office (ATPO).

“The Appalachian Trail Conservancy and A.T. are extremely fortunate to have partners such as the Smoky Mountains Hiking Club and the National Park Service,” said Morgan Sommerville, regional director of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy.

The landslide that damaged the A.T. was identified by the SMHC’s ridge runner, the project was coordinated by the ATC, the construction was completed by the professional trail staff of the National Park Service, and the project was paid for by the ATPO.  

The repair involved drilling directly into the rock face and cutting out a new “bench” for the A.T.’s treadway.