Objective

There are many options to do trail work for CMC based on your geography, work, family situation, and skills/ability. CMC welcomes people of all ages (including families) and physical abilities to participate in trail maintenance.

The primary objective for Trail Work is to ensure our volunteers have a safe and enjoyable experience. We encourage our volunteers to work at their own pace and skill level.

Safety & Supplies

Our crew leaders and sawyers carry a safety kit and are certified by the Red Cross in First Aid, Blood Borne pathogens and CPR. All CMC Trail volunteers must adhere to our safety and the Carolina Mountain Clubs code of conduct standards.

The club provides the tools, training and personal protection equipment as needed. You do not need any trail maintenance experience to volunteer on the maintenance crews. Training will be supplied by the crew leader. Wear old work clothes, long pants, long sleeve shirt, sturdy boots, work gloves, safety glasses, along with clothing appropriate for the weather. Bring a small day pack with your lunch and plenty of water.

Trail Maintenance Crews

There are trail maintenance crews that work on different days and/or work on different trails. The crews are listed below, along with contact information for the crew leaders. You are welcome to work with any of these crews, and several folks work with 2 or more of them on a regular basis.

Procedure

The normal procedure is for the crew leader to send out an e-mail message several days before the up-coming workday, explaining the job the crew will be working on, what tools to bring, and the meeting place and time. If you want to work with the crew that day, you let the crew leader know by responding to the email. Please be prompt and show up before the stated meeting time as crews frequently have a long drive and leave promptly at the time given. When you contact a crew leader about working with the crew, he/she will put you on the crew e-mail distribution so you receive these notices.

Crews & Maintainers

Section Maintainers

Section Maintainers adopt a portion of a trail and commit to maintaining 1-3 miles of the Appalachian Trail (A.T.), Mountain To Sea Trail (MST), or Secondary Trails. The advantage of being a Section Maintainers is that you work on your own schedule in coordination with the A.T. Supervisor, one of the five MST Supervisors, or the Secondary Trails Supervisors. Many hikers view being a Section Maintainer as a way of giving back and ask for the opportunity.

If you would like to become a Section Maintainer for a section of the A.T., MST, or one of the Secondary Trails, please contact the supervisor for the area you are interested in. Please feel free to contact any of the crew leaders or section supervisors with questions about working with them, simply drop the them an email. You must be a CMC member to serve as a section maintainer.

Trail Work Schedule

In addition to regular crews the following special trail work days will take place this year.

2026 Quarterly Work Days

2026 Remote Overnight Crews

All Trail Maintenance Events

Trail Work Volunteers

CMC maintains 440 miles of trail in WNC. Appalachian Trail, Mountains-to-Sea Trail, Art Loeb and other iconic trails. Individuals of all ages and groups/organizations are invited to participate. All are welcome. Membership is not required. All required tools are provided.

Flexible schedules are easy with crews on the trails Monday to Saturday. There are Saturday Quarterly Crew Days and Special Events (i.e. Annual Max Patch Day) for those with busy schedules. Being geographically diverse, maintenance is done all throughout WNC.

Volunteer