Benton
MacKaye formulated a dream of a "long trail over the full length of
the Appalachian skyline from the tallest peak in the north to the tallest peak in
the south". The northern Appalachians had numerous trail organizations
such as the Appalachian Mt. Club, formed in 1876. As MacKaye's plans took root,
hiking clubs became active all up and down the Appalachian chain to fulfill
this dream. The Smoky Mt. Club dates back to 1924 and the Potomac Appalachian
Trail Club from 1927. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy was formalized in 1925
inWashington, DC.
In 1929 Roy Ozmer scouted the entire proposed route along the mountain ridges from Georgia to southern Virginia. Each state had its working volunteers, and at that time the park and forest services did a lot of the heavy maintenance.
Early records are scarce in relation to a formal club in Macon Co. but there is mention of a George Tabor of Almond connected with a "Nantahala Club" who we supposed worked in the Nantahalas at that time, and of a Balsam Mt. Club of Waynesville who did some AT work here.
In 1940, A. Rufus Morgan, an Episcopal Minister, returned to his family's home place in Macon Co. The following year he took responsibility for 55 miles in the Nantahalas, doing brushing, blazing and small tree removal. For 27 years he was called "the one-man hiking club" as he did trail maintenance with friends and boy scouts. His church work included building the first chapel for the Cherokees, years of service to St. Cyprian's negro congregation, prison camps and youth summer camps. All this with the responsibility of at least 6 congregations within a 60 miles radius, many times walking to his churches. He was an Appalachian Trail Conservancy Board member for over 20 years and was given Honorary membership in 1964. Dr. Morgan's hiking was well known at Mt. LeConte where he climbed to the camp at the top over 160 times during his lifetime. He passed away in 1983.
The NHC was recognized formally by Appalachian Trail Conservancy as a club in 1968 as membership continued to grow steadily, spurred by the passage of the National Trails System Act and the Wilderness Bills. The present club's AT responsibilities take in the 58.7 miles between the Ga./N.C. border (near Bly Gap) to the Nantahala River at Wesser. Both the Wayah and the Tusquittee Forest Service districts are involved, as well as designated wilderness areas.
The NHC has approximately 300 members, most of whom are retired and can work on the AT anytime. Wednesday is set aside as the TM (trail maintenance) day for the club crew. Short sections have individual maintainers that work on "their" section as their time permits but at least 4 times a year. In recognition of the club volunteer contribution the Nantahala Ranger District recently proposed the club for a USFS Volunteer Award which was presented to the club on April ll, 1997. Yearly awards are given to volunteers by the club and the Nantahala Ranger District based on the number of cumulative hours served.
Membership is open to anyone with like interests and payment of dues. A newsletter is sent every two months telling of coming events and listing the hiking schedule for Saturdays and Sundays.
--Kay
Coriell