Thoughts from a SAWS Trail Specialist

As morning frost turns to dew on our boots, and the buds on the trees unfurl into leaves, our bodies awaken to spring upon us. Setting out on the trail starting in February is a rare occurrence for a seasonal trail worker in my realm, but with this new opportunity come new experiences eagerly awaited.

The last three months, we have been shaking the rust off with saws on our backs on brisk early morning hikes in the Appalachian Ranger District. We can see Helene’s mark on most trails we traverse, and we do our best to slowly put some pieces of normal back together in a permanently scarred region.

As butterflies flit in the fresh green meadows and the scent of wildflowers greets you along your walks, know that the trail workers are gearing up. There is much work to be done in our region, and like the mayapples on the forest floor, they are bursting at the seams to get their gloves on and start working.

-- SAWS Trail Specialist, Lindsey Lytle