Rebuilding the Appalachian Trail After Hurricane Helene

I had the opportunity to document important recovery work with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) near Cherry Gap just outside of Erwin, Tennessee. The assignment brought me into the heart of the Appalachian Trail’s recovery efforts following the impact of Hurricane Helene.

I met up with ATC’s Joke Stowe at the trailhead on Unaka Mountain Road around 9 a.m. From there, we made the mile-and-a-half uphill hike to reach the crews already working. The damage was immediately clear. Massive root holes, some the size of minivans, blocked sections of the trail, and fallen trees covered the landscape.

The focus of the day was on three individuals from Japan’s long trails who had traveled here to volunteer with the ATC’s flagship Konnarock Trail Crew. They came to support recovery from Helene and to learn trail maintenance skills that they could share with trail maintainers in their home country.

As I photographed, I saw local volunteers, ATC staff, and the visiting crew from Japan working with determination to restore access to one of the most iconic trails in the world. I spent the next few hours documenting the energy, teamwork, and dedication it takes to rebuild a trail. Along the way, I captured portraits of the Japanese volunteers, using off-camera flash to balance the forest light and highlight the people behind the work.

The main takeaway from this assignment is that the Appalachian Trail depends on volunteers. Their hard work ensures that millions of hikers each year can continue to enjoy the trail in safety.

As a resident of Damascus, Virginia, where the Trail runs directly through town and plays a major role in our economy, culture, and events like Trail Days, I am grateful to have been part of telling this story. Thank you to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for hiring me to document this important work.

Capturing Conservation: My Experience Photographing the ATC’s Hardcore Trail Work at Trail Days 2025

Trail Days weekend in Damascus, VA is always a whirlwind—and this year was no exception.

Over Friday and Saturday, I worked with a brand to provide event photography coverage of their vendor booth setup, helping them create engaging content for their social media marketing. As a photographer based in Southwest Virginia, I always enjoy opportunities to document events that bring people together—especially something as iconic as Trail Days, which draws thousands of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to town each year.

But Sunday was where the heart of the weekend really hit home.

I was hired by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to photograph their annual Hardcore Trail Work Day, a long-standing tradition held the Sunday after Trail Days. I arrived early at the Appalachian Trail Center in downtown Damascus, where volunteers were gathering for breakfast, receiving custom event shirts, and getting signed up for a day of trail maintenance on the Appalachian Trail.

Two crews formed that morning—one headed across the state line into Tennessee, and the other made the 45-minute drive to Elk Garden Trailhead, where I tagged along to document their efforts. Before we left, I captured a group photo of all the volunteers—a moment of camaraderie before everyone set out for a hard day's work.

Once we arrived, the ATC staff led a quick safety briefing, thanked the volunteers, and the crew hit the trail. The group split into three teams. One focused on rerouting drainage to prevent erosion, while the others tackled blowdown cleanup from Hurricane Helene, which had damaged parts of the trail in late September 2024. Volunteers also built new steps to help hikers navigate washed-out and altered sections of the trail.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect for trail work photography—cool, clear skies and ideal lighting for documenting the teamwork, effort, and passion of everyone involved. I spent the day hiking alongside the crew, capturing authentic moments in the forest and connecting with people who truly care about protecting the Appalachian Trail.

And the view from the trailhead? Absolutely stunning. One of those classic Southwest Virginia landscapes that makes you stop in your tracks and remember why these mountains mean so much to so many.

iPhone panorama image of where I parked my vehicle.

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- Ben Earp