MRATC Activities and Information, Week of June 15 – 21, 2025
MRATC TRAIL WORK:
On Saturday June 21st we will meet at 9:30 at the Damascus Trail center where a kiosk at the post office needs to be moved to the trail center and a sign post needs to be taken down. That project shouldn't take too long. After that we will probably shuttle over to FS832 and hike up to the trail to remove some blowdowns a bit north of Saunders shelter.
From Sat the 21st to Monday the 23rd, the Konnarock crew will do their first hitch of work on our section. They will start working from 859 toward Lost Mtn Shelter and club members are welcome to participate one or more days. That section still has several root ball holes and an assortment of Helene related damage. The exact meeting details are TBD.
If you would like to participate in either of these projects, please send an e-mail to mratcinfo@gmail.com
MRATC HIKES:
Wed., June 18: Hike on the AT from Elk Garden north to Brier Ridge and back on the VA Highlands Horse Trail, about 6 miles of moderate to strenuous hiking. Meet up at Elk Garden at 9:30 A.M. Hoping for wildflowers. Let hike leader Felicia Mitchell know if you plan to hike by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com. Bring water, food, poles (if you use them), rain gear, etc.
WEEKLY FRIDAY HIKE:
Fri., June 20: Meet at Lowe's at 9 AM for a hike to the flowers and views on Whitetop Mountain. We'll park at Elk Garden for the 2.5 mile hike to Whitetop Mt. Road, FS 89. One of the best displays of flame azaleas in the Southern Appalachians awaits on the short walk beyond. Total distance is about 5.4 miles. Bring water, lunch, sun protection, please be prepared to drive, and please respond if you plan to go. Contact Hike leader Joe DeLoach, deloachjoe@gmail.com or 423-416-1739, for more information.
STRAIGHT BRANCH PARKING CLOSED BY USFS FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL
The upper and lower parking areas on Rte. 58 between the Creeper Trail and Beech Grove Trail, five miles east of Damascus, have been closed to the public by the Forest Service so large vehicles can remove Creeper Trail hurricane debris. See attached pdf for information. Initial debris removal is expected to last until July 31st.
The small parking area next to the Straight Branch Bridge on the AT, ¼ mile past the closed area, is open. (The Feathercamp creek crossing is a little wet if hiking south from there, due to the hurricane’s legacy of poorly arranged rocks.)
REMEMBERING BUNNY MEDEIROS
For those of you who remember Bunny, a lifetime member of our club, you might want to know she passed away last weekend in a care facility in TN. See attached notice of upcoming Celebration of Life at the Abingdon Farmers’ Market Sunday, June 29.
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