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

MRATC TRAIL WORK:

Friday, Sept. 13 or Saturday, Sept. 14: Tentative plan is to meet at Elk Garden at 9:30 and reset/replace blaze posts going up the hill just north of Elk Garden. Some may do some brushing about a mile north of Elk Garden. Possible blowdown removal south of Elk Garden. Send a msg to mratcinfo@gmail.com if you are available and indicate preference of day, if any.

Other volunteer trail work opportunities through the ATC:

ATC Volunteer Opportunities (appalachiantrail.org) 

CROSSCUT SAW CERTIFICATION CLASS:

 MRNRA A/B level Crosscut Course at Sugar Grove, VA – October 8-10, 2024 

 Information & sign-up: https://wildernessskillsinstitute.org/sawsi/

 These courses are free and open to all club members who want to help by cutting blowdowns on the AT. 

FOX CREEK BRIDGE:  The project to replace the bridge over Fox Creek on the AT just north of Rte. 603 is about to get started. If anyone sees stakes and flagging in the area, it is important not to disturb it.

MRATC HIKES:

Wed., Sept. 11:  Rare plant hike. Meet at 9 at the parking for the Mt. Rogers Trail on Rte. 603. We'll monitor Roan Mountain rattlesnake root and hike about 5.5 miles, with a shuttle at the end. Bring lunch and rain gear. Email hike leader Carol Broderson at  mtrogersatc@gmail.com  to join the hike and be informed of any changes – or to arrange to carpool.

The Friday hiking group is holding small group hikes every Friday. Contact Judith for information: judithannfoster@gmail.com; 276-623-2408.

UPCOMING EVENT:  Sunday, Sept. 22^nd  Public Lands Day celebration at the Damascus Trail Center.

Program: 

9-11:45: 2 mile hike in Damascus and south on the AT:, led by MRATC and the National Park Service;

Overmountain Victory Trail presentation: 12-1;

Booths: 12-4;

Crooked Road acoustic music: 2-4.

Need two club members to set up and staff MRATC booth: 11:30-2 and one club member to help staff booth and clean up, 2-4:30. Please reply to this email if you can help. And Everyone: come and enjoy the event!

OLD ORCHARD SHELTER:  Spring is not producing water at present. Backpackers  should plan to get water at Fox Creek (Rte. 603).

RESTORATION OF BEARTREE LAKE:

The Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area has announced the timing for the draining and restoration of Beartree Lake: Draining and dredging – now through November. Lake to re-open: late fall. Beartree Lake Trail may be closed during parts of the operation.

FALL NATURALIST RALLY, Oct. 11-12: Field trip details already available. To view and register:

https://blueridgediscoverycenter.org/mount-rogers-fall-naturalist-rally-2024

UPCOMING:  APPALACHIAN TRAIL CONSERVANCY VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP MEETING AT BLUE RIDGE DISCOVERY CENTER, SAT. OCT. 19^TH.

Since it’s local, MRATC members might want to attend.