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Description
Volunteer Ranger Ricardo kneels low in front of the SCAT Patrol lead by Park Ranger Adam Monroe (far left). It was the first day on the books for Ricardo who was accompanied by his friend Mitzy (third in left). These were some good folks who shall remain annonymous for now as most trail folks are known by nicknames rather than real names.

Today, Ricardo would get his trail handle. His teamsters would call him 'Dozer. The Human Bulldozer. The McCloud swinger. A McCloud is a yellow combination tool with a long handle equipped with a plate which has teeth on one side and a blade on the other. This is used to make the trail tread level. You scrape the tread down smooth, which takes very little effort since the tool is quite heavy.

Other teamsters used pole saws, loppers, the Palasky (a special combination pick and mattock) to clear stones (ankle turners) and roots (toe stubbers) as well as open the corridor so that limbs do not hit people in the face as they walk by. Drains (waterbars) had to be opened and dressed. Brush had to be put back into the understory out of sight where it could properly decompose and blend in.

The team worked a front country trail known as Twin Creeks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This high traffic footpath connects the Cherokee Orchard in outer Gatlinburg with the Smokey Mountain Science Center in downtown Gatlinburg in Sevier County, Tennessee. It provides a gentle hike that is suitable for all ages looking for a short day hike near the comforts of the city.

Description
Volunteer Ranger Ricardo kneels low in front of the SCAT Patrol lead by Park Ranger Adam Monroe (far left). It was the first day on the books for Ricardo who was accompanied by his friend Mitzy (third in left). These were some good folks who shall remain annonymous for now as most trail folks are known by nicknames rather than real names.

Today, Ricardo would get his trail handle. His teamsters would call him 'Dozer. The Human Bulldozer. The McCloud swinger. A McCloud is a yellow combination tool with a long handle equipped with a plate which has teeth on one side and a blade on the other. This is used to make the trail tread level. You scrape the tread down smooth, which takes very little effort since the tool is quite heavy.

Other teamsters used pole saws, loppers, the Palasky (a special combination pick and mattock) to clear stones (ankle turners) and roots (toe stubbers) as well as open the corridor so that limbs do not hit people in the face as they walk by. Drains (waterbars) had to be opened and dressed. Brush had to be put back into the understory out of sight where it could properly decompose and blend in.

The team worked a front country trail known as Twin Creeks in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This high traffic footpath connects the Cherokee Orchard in outer Gatlinburg with the Smokey Mountain Science Center in downtown Gatlinburg in Sevier County, Tennessee. It provides a gentle hike that is suitable for all ages looking for a short day hike near the comforts of the city.