Above is a photo taken at Slaughter Gap in April, 1996. Note that no bare areas can be seen and there is small plant growth everywhere. By April, many of the thru-hikers had passed through and it has been a long time since the fall of leaves, yet the ground is still well covered.

This photograph was taken at Slaughter Gap in December, 2003. Since 1996, camping has taken a tremendous toll on this area. No ground cover is left, significant soil has eroded, leaving exposed roots, and the ground has been so compacted that new plant growth can not become established. Because there is nothing to catch them, fallen leaves are blown away by winds which roar through the gap. Only a prolonged rest can restore this once scenic area.

This photograph was taken at Slaughter Gap in May, 2004. Since being closed to camping after the AT was relocated from Slaughter Gap in January, the area has been seeded with an annual grass which should reduce further erosion and aid in catching other seeds and holding leaves. Years of freeze-thaw cycles and leaf fall will slowly return the area to its natural state. Please do your part by following USFS regulations here and other places on the AT.