This event is canceled due to inclement weather in the area.

The Soak Ash house, located near Greenbrier, but within the boundary of the GRSM National Park, has been leased to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) for a number of years for use as a base camp for many A.T. crews and personnel that have crucial roles in the Park. In addition, many members of our own volunteer maintainers helped extensively with renovations to the structure in years past, to make it usable for its purpose.

ATC is currently preparing the Soak Ash facility for occupancy by seasonal Ridgerunners in February 2024 and, in the spring and summer, Trail Crew staff and volunteers. ATC is excited to welcome seasonal staff back to Soak Ash after the facility’s temporary closure due to mold. The mold issue has been fully mitigated and, recently, the ATC was issued a certificate of occupancy by Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Although the facility has the green light for occupancy, there are still a few tasks that need to be completed. These tasks are primarily indoor in nature and include things like furniture reassembly and moving; gear and first aid inventory; supply stocking and discarding of old gear and supplies; and the hanging of maps, photos, and general information inside.

This workday was originally planned for Saturday, Jan. 13, but is now rescheduled to Saturday, Jan. 20. Soak Ash is located at 199 Soak Ash Creek Rd., Gatlinburg, TN. The road is 8.8 miles from Gatlinburg. Once you turn onto Soak Ash Creek Rd., go all the way to the end, through a gate, to the house.

Plan to meet at 9 a.m. and wrap up by 2 p.m. Lunch will be provided. For questions, please contact Anne Sentz, ATC’s Regional Manager in the Smokies and NC, at asentz@appalachiantrail.org.