SAWS Mobilizes Storm Response to Reopen Trail Access in Wilderness
- saws44
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
Asheville, NC — May 5, 2025 — After Hurricane Helene caused widespread damage across the Appalachian Trail (AT) in Tennessee’s wilderness areas, the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards (SAWS) quickly mobilized expert trail crews to restore access for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
Immediately following the storm, SAWS shifted its seasonal workforce to support urgent community needs, including clearing North Cove Elementary School, gutting businesses in the River Arts District, delivering firewood to remote residents, and assisting food distribution at Yancey County Fire Department. Early recovery efforts were made possible by the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, the NC Disaster Relief Fund, and the Rock Harbor Foundation.
By early 2025, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) identified an urgent need for trail crews. SAWS rehired experienced staff and deployed teams within a week. In Big Laurel Branch Wilderness, a six-person professional team with two advanced certified crosscut sawyers reopened nearly 10 miles of the AT. In nearby Pond Mountain Wilderness, crews cleared hundreds of downed trees—some stacked 15 feet high—restoring access for thru-hikers and day-hikers alike.
Work has now expanded to Linville Gorge Wilderness and the Appalachian Ranger District. Across projects, SAWS crews have cleared over 600 trees and made thousands of cuts using only traditional crosscut saws and hand tools—completing the work safely and without a single injury. This low-impact approach protects wilderness character while demonstrating the speed and skill of expert stewardship.
Despite this success, federal quick release funds awarded for the disaster response remain frozen, creating significant financial strain. Thanks to critical support from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), SAWS has continued urgent trail recovery efforts during this uncertainty.
This project highlights the need for faster federal coordination during disasters and shows that preserving wilderness character and effective storm response can go hand-in-hand.
“We're incredibly proud to have served our community in this way,” said Kaitlin de Varona, SAWS Executive Director. “This project shows what’s possible when skilled wilderness stewards and committed partners act quickly, work safely, and uphold the highest standards of conservation. We’re grateful to the U.S. Forest Service, ATC, and all our partners for trusting SAWS to meet this critical need.”
Learn more about SAWS and its mission at www.wildernessstewards.org.
In case anyone is curious, our little ATV ride was not inside wilderness. Rather, our awesome USFS partners helped shuttle the crew to the wilderness boundary a time or two. Thanks, all, for the great work out there!