The need:
For many years, the Deep Gap shelter provided a stable halfway point along the 30.1 mile Art Loeb trail. Funding through the Great American Outdoors Act, an initiative to fund deferred maintenance projects on our public lands, allowed the U.S. Forest Service, with support from The Pisgah Conservancy, to replace this outdated structure and provide safer food storage for thru-hikers.
Demolition and materials transport:
The previous shelter was decommissioned in March 2023 and the foundation for the new shelter was constructed in late 2023. In January 2024 our Trail Crew spent many hours transporting lumber up Pilot Mountain Road, an access road that climbs 1,350 feet from Gloucester Gap to the shelter site. This required use of our UTV and creative rigging to transport materials, including some pieces of lumber that were more than 20 feet in length.
Skilled and efficient construction thanks to CASP:
Project support was provided through the annual return of a CASP volunteer group to Pisgah. The 2024 CASP group consisted of members from across the country, many of whom are skilled tradesmen, framers, and carpenters. CASP volunteers made quick work of the project, completing the new and improved trail shelter over the course of four days in February.
The new, three-sided structure will allow hikers to more comfortably share the shelter as the open design provides the best access to the entire square footage. It will also allow for safer maintenance, with a more accessible roof that uses less material. To assist in safe food storage for thru-hikers, our Trail Crew installed a bear-resistant storage box an appropriate distance from the shelter. A fire ring was also installed near the new shelter.
Outcomes
- One dilapidated, dangerous shelter demolished and removed from the forest
- One new trail shelter constructed
- Safe and comfortable shelter for thru-hikers and all trail users
- Food storage added to keep users and wildlife safe
- One fire ring installed
