Appalachian Shelters: Jerry Cabin

When starting a new blog series, Appalachian Shelters,  it is hard to pick where to start. Since I am doing a blog on the Appalachian Trail (AT) Section Devil's Fork Gap to Allen Gap I thought what better way to kick it off than Jerry's Cabin Shelter. 

The other reason I picked this shelter is becoming I am going to start with ones I stayed in or near. Right now that will cover, as of now, six. Later I will do ones I have visited. Anyway, Jerry's Cabin was a shelter I wanted to stay at since my first visit here in 2016.

My first visit to Jerry Cabin...

...in 2016.

This shelter, named in honor of Jerry Miller who was a District Attorney, has a colorful history. Located in Chestnut Log Gap, Jerry Cabin was built 52 years ago (1968) by the United States Forest Service (USFS). Back then it was called Jerry Cabin Lean-To. In the 1970s it got a reputation as one of the dirtiest shelters on the AT. It was not only popular with hikers but hunters and other locals from Tennessee and North Carolina. So, in 1972, Chuckey, TN trail volunteer Sam Waddle "adopted" the shelter and took care of it for over the next three decades. In that time Jerry's Cabin became one of the cleanest shelters on the AT.

CMC members taking a break at the shelter site in 1957.
(Photo by William Kirkman)

Waddle got the nickname "Habitual Maintainer" for his work at Jerry's Cabin.
(Photo Appalachian Trail Conservancy)

Now the shelter is maintained by the Carolina Mountain Club (CMC). Jerry Cabin is one level, stone shelter that sleeps six. It has a unique feature of a functioning fireplace. Especially in cold weather with the tarp in place. Out front are a picnic table and fire pit. Well, the picnic table is partly in the shelter. A feature of CMC shelters is bear cables which are just on the other side of the AT next to the trail sign.

The Shelter & fire pit.

Sleeping deck & fireplace...

...up close.

The deck isn't totally flat but sleeps well.

The picnic table.

Flames in the fire pit.

The bear cables.

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This sign was replaced along with the one on the shelter. Something else that hikers will like is the water isn't too far from the shelter about 100 yards. Also, there is not one but two pipes for this water source, but on my stay this past Summer (in a dry spell) the top one is the more reliable. Remember, these pipes aren't coming straight out of Andrew Johnson Mountain...so treat it.

Old sign...

...& new.

The old shelter sign...

...& its replacement.

The trail to the water...

The upper pipe to the left...

...the lower pipe to the right.

Another CMC feature is a privy, located to the left behind the shelter about a hundred yards or so away. If you're not into sleeping in Jerry Cabin (shame on you)  just past the shelter going AT North (or coming down AT South) are plenty of tent camping options. Either way, you can't go wrong at Jerry Cabin.

The sign points the way...

...to the privy...

...not too bad.

The privy is behind the shelter.

One of the tenting sites.