Storm damage and trail conditions

Hurricane Igor hit hard

Volunteer counts an Igor blow down on Miner's Path

On September 21, 2010 the East Coast Trail was hit by hurricane Igor. The association can estimate after our initial assessments that 5,000 trees have fallen across the trail or are leaning as a result of the storm. This is a serious situation and unprecedented in the Trail's history.

Since September 21, the East Coast Trail Association has surveyed most of the paths north of Cappahayden. These surveys show that the trail has been seriously impacted. Most of the damage has been with fallen trees across the trail, and many trees that lean across the trail. There is no doubt that there is some damage to structures as well as erosion of the trail. Such erosion may not be readily apparent.

We recognize that many hikers will continue to hike the trail. As the East Coast Trail is considered a wilderness trail, hikers must always be aware of the unexpected. The trail comes close to cliff edges and big drops. At any time there may be tree falls or leaners. Erosion can also create unexpected changes in the tread way. Structures may become weak with use. Even though the East Coast Trail Association has monitoring and maintenance programs for the trail, hikers must be vigilant. Extreme care must always be taken, even when the trail is in the best of condition.

The East Coast Trail Association requests that you use special care and discretion in choosing which paths to hike, and use special care when hiking paths that have not been cleared.

Igor Trail condition update ... January 2011

On September 21, 2010 the East Coast Trail Association incurred significant damage to all paths of our coastal hiking trail system with Hurricane Igor. The damage to the paths was extensive with over 5,000 trees down or leaning across the trail due to heavy rain, flooding and wind. Since the storm, our crew, volunteers and communities have worked tremendously hard and made the majority of the developed trails passable removing the trees from the paths and leaners around the path that could pose a safety hazard to hikers. The focus of our work was to ensure that the paths were passable for the start of the 2011 hiking season.

There is however still significant work to be done in trail restoration, and the Association will continue its efforts to secure resources and bring the trail back to the pre- Igor standards. Some trees have been left at the side of the paths for dispersing at a later date. There has been damage to the tread way on some paths with trees uprooted and roots exposed, structures have been damaged, and erosion has occurred in some coastal areas.

The winter season is upon us and conditions will change yet again on the paths. We already know of a number of trees that have been blown down on the paths with the wet and windy conditions experienced this fall. The East Coast Trail is a wilderness trail and hikers must always be aware of the unexpected. The Association requests that you continue to use caution and care on the paths that you hike, and be aware of areas where Hurricane Igor and other storms may have impacted the environment.

Thanks to all of you who have helped us with this recovery for the trail. Your efforts are appreciated by the many who hike the paths.