Shelters on PATH Section from the South Holston River to I-77

By John Hartpence

Partnership Shelter

"The Taj Mahal"-Located off US 16 behind Mount Roger's USFS Headquarters-Built in 1997 by PATH (5 other trail crews helped), The Baldwin Family, hikers and employees of the ATC and USFS. This is a two story shelter. It is a log cabin design. It has a shower. This shelter is famous for being able to get Pizza from Marion, Va.

Chatfield Shelter

About .3 mile from Va. 644. This was formerly Glade Mt. Shelter. It was moved to its present location in 1977 due to excessive vandalism in the area. It is named for Louise Meroney Chatfield. She was a North Carolina Conservationist and founder of PATH in 1965. She also was the first chair of the North Carolina Trails Committee. The shelter was built by the USFS. The shelter's grounds were refurbished in 2002. The privy was rebuilt at that time.

Davis Path Shelter

About 1.6 miles from Va. 617. It was built in 1984 by PATH, ATC Konnarock Crew, and USFS. It was named Davis Path because of it be located near Davis Path. Davis Path was an old settler's route across the mountain.

Knot Maul Shelter

Located above O'Lystery (2.1 miles)-It was built by the USFS and PATH. The privy was added in 1983 by Konnarock. It was named Knot Maul because local settlers obtained Knotwood from the trees found in the area. This was used for making hammers (mauls) for use on their farms.

Chestnut Knob Shelter

Aout 1.3 miles from Walker Gap. It was formerly a fire warden's cabin built in 1927. It was rehabilitated in 1994 by the USFS, ATC Konnarock Crew and PATH. This is now an A-framed Shelter with windows. It is fully enclosed. It is located on the Highest Point (4,409 feet) between Mt.Rogers,Va. and New Hampshire.

Two other shelters play a part in PATH's History.

Jenkins Shelter

3.8 miles north of Va. 623. It is on a section maintained by the Outing Club of Virginia Tech. It was formerly located at Monster Rock on Walker Mountain of US 52. It was moved to its present location in the early 1980's when the trail was taken off Walker Mt. Due to the lack of water.

Helvey's Mill Shelter

Near Kimberly Creek-2.1 miles from I-77-It was built in the 1960's on Walker Mt.-above Crawfish Valley. It was relocated to its present location in the 1980's when the trail was moved off Walker Mt. Due to the lack of water.