MRATC Activities and Information, Week of Jan. 16-22, 2022

MRATC TRAIL WORK:

Regular group trail work is not scheduled in Dec., Jan., and Feb. unless an issue comes up that needs to be addressed. Report trail issues to mratcinfo@gmail.com

WANTED:  ENGINEER TO HELP WITH TRAIL BRIDGES

Two bridges are scheduled for replacement on MRATC’s trail section: Fox Creek (Rte. 603) and Comers Creek (near Rte. 741). The USFS engineering staff are busy with many projects and could use some help. If any club volunteers are current or retired professional engineers and might be interested, see the attached notice from Josh Kloehn or contact him directly at: jkloehn@appalachiantrail.org or cell, 405-860-8371. The PE volunteer posting can be found here: 

https://volunteer.appalachiantrail.org/s/atc-project-details?c__recId=a0q1U000007Qa6v.

MRATC HIKES:

Note: Hikes can be scheduled on a week by week basis rather than listed in the club’s quarterly newsletter. If a club member wishes to lead a hike, reply to this email and it can be listed in the Sunday email and on the club’s website the week of the hike (www.mratc.org under the Sidebar, Current Week’s Information).

TAYLOR’S VALLEY WATERLINE WORK ON CREEPER TRAIL

There is a proposal to extend the county water line along part of the Creeper Trail near the creek to reach Taylors Valley.

There would be no impact on the nearby AT, but there could be environmental impacts.

You are invited to send in responses to the project proposal:

https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61246.

TRAIL CENTER EXHIBITS:

The Damascus Trail Center is entering into the next phase of exhibits. This phase will focus on the main exhibit hall surrounding the Mount Rogers High Country Relief Map.  The themes for this space include The National Trails Act and example of each trail system near Damascus:  1. The Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail. 2. The Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail. 3. The Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the welcome entrance exhibit.

Each exhibit will have the common theme of being place based and will highlight inspiring stories, include high resolution photos, and history related to the development and use of these trails. As we enter this next phase, we need the Club's help. It would be great to track down inspiring stories on MRATC founding members, trailblazers in SWVA, and high resolution photos. If you have access to these stories, history, or high resolution photos, please contact Emily Mayo at emayo@appalachiantrail.org.