Proposal for Overmountain Shelter replacement

A proposal for the future of the Overmountain Shelter on the Appalachian Trail, closed since 2019, will be discussed during a virtual presentation and public scoping meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Located in the Roan Mountain area in Avery County, the Overmountain Shelter was originally a barn on a private farm that was acquired by the U.S. Forest Service in 1979 and became part of the Appalachian Ranger District of the Pisgah National Forest. The Tennessee Eastman Hiking and Canoeing Club converted the barn into a trail shelter in 1986. Despite efforts to maintain it, the barn has become structurally unsound and cannot be safely occupied. Slope movement has caused a signifi-