MRATC Activities and Information, Week of Dec. 8 - 14, 2024

MRATC TRAIL WORK and hurricane cleanup:

On Sat Dec 14^th we will work on the first 2 miles of trail north of Elk Garden. With a few exceptions this is the last of our northern sections requiring significant post storm attention. The work will consist of removing all sorts of blockages, many compatible with hand saws/loppers. Meet at 9:30 at Elk Garden. Please e-mail mratcinfo@gmail.com if you would like to help.

Note from Kathryn Herndon Powell, ATC Interim Regional Director:

To quote one of my heroes, Karen Lutz, recovering from Hurricane Helene is going to take a big village. Fortunately, the A.T. is a REALLY big village. 

Our joint efforts Wednesday and Thursday showed just how powerful that village is. I’m grateful to each of you, grateful to the donors to the A.T. Resiliency Fund, and honored to be a part of it.

I’ve got the final report on all the work that was accomplished, below. And, here’s a link to a folder for photos — please add any you’d like to share. I’ve dropped some in the “Raccoon Branch” folder, and will add that big group photo from Wednesday morning when we have it: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1boR9ej9rI9D-7XrLfFuM6j1BI8-TIsSR?usp=sharing

Doug and Jake: I don't quite have all the USFS and MRATC folks copied in here, so please forward this along.

Totals: 

10 volunteers from 5 trail clubs north of MRATC's section (OCVT, RATC, NBATC, ODATC, PATC), 7+ local MRATC volunteers, 4 USFS personnel, 9 ATC staff

157 blowdowns cleared

Storm-damaged tread repaired with 16 log steps, 6 feet of double-height log cribbing, 4 rootball holes filled in, and 30 feet of sidehill tread dug

Here's the breakdown by work area, but please be mindful about how you share site-specific info publicly. The Trail is still closed from Elk Garden to the TN border, and some hazards remain. We don't want to encourage the public to hike in a closed area — but it's much closer to officially opening thanks to your help!

Racoon Branch Wilderness

6 work party members Wednesday, 5 Thursday

26 blowdowns cleared (and a good start made on an additional giant one)

About 4 rootball holes improved upon

Taylors Valley to Straight Branch

7 work party members Wednesday

13 blowdowns cleared, and a large one notched for easier passage

South of Damascus

8 work party members Wednesday, 8 Thursday

8 blowdowns cleared, on the A.T. and the blue-blazed water access trail

16 new log steps built, including 10 that create a bypass around an unrecoverable switchback corner

6 feet of double-height log cribbing installed to rebuild trail compromised by a root ball hole

4 root ball holes filled, including removal of 2 rootball blockages

30 feet of sidehill tread dug to re-relocate a storm-relocated section to a more sustainable grade

Low Gap to McQueen Gap, TN

7 work party members Wednesday (Low Gap north), 6 Thursday (McQueen Gap south)

Approximately 110 blowdowns cleared

Not only did we have 6 trail clubs, ATC, and USFS working shoulder-to-shoulder, these 2 days were part of a larger effort that includes the 10 volunteers from the first Saw Team event, a crew of NPS sawyers, a contract crew of professional sawyers, and the tireless efforts of MRATC and PATH volunteers and USFS personnel. Not to mention the A.T. Resiliency Fund donors whose swift generosity allowed us to respond quickly. Once we started to understand the scale of the devastation, I never would have thought we could have a walkable trail all the way through Virginia in just 10 weeks. 

There is still much work to be done, especially in TN and NC. We’ll be cleaning up from the storm for years to come. But together, we’ll get there. Thank you for answering the call, making the long drive to Damascus, and giving so generously of your time and skill. I wish you all a restful weekend and a wonderful holiday season!

MRATC HIKES:

Saturday, December 14th HIKE.  We will hike the Clyburn Ridge Trail system (on the west side of the lake) at Hungry Mother State Park. The current planned distance is ~6.5 miles but there are lots of options for shortening that if anyone is interested.  We will meet at the Stone Lick parking lot at 9:30.  The lot is on the left ~1/4 mile beyond the main Park Office building, past the beach.  It is well marked with signage.  Park access fees apply.  Dress for the weather and bring water, snacks/lunch and poles if you use them.  Please contact the hike leader, Heidi Dixon-White, with any questions and/or if you plan to join by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com   

MRATC MEETING: Our fall club meeting, rescheduled from November, will take place live at the Damascus Trail Center and also on Zoom on Wed. Dec. 11 from 10 a.m. to noon. All welcome! The club will provide hot coffee and tea.