MRATC Activities and Information, Week of March 8– 15, 2026

MRATC TRAIL WORK:
On Sat Mar 14^th we will work on some blowdowns and root ball/tread issues between 601 and Summit Cut. We will meet at 10am at the 601 trail-head. E-mail mratcinfo@gmail.com if you plan to help.

Attention MRATC Section Monitors who don’t already have the Far Out app to identify the AT mile for trail issues you want to report to the club’s Trail Supervisor:

FarOut Giveaway for A.T. Volunteer Trail Maintainers:

The ATC, thanks to our friends at Atlas Guides, producers of the FarOut app, are extending an invitation to A.T. volunteers that entitles them to free Appalachian Trail maps for their mobile device (a value of up to $74.99). 

This is just one way the ATC is able to say 'thank you' to stewards of the Trail. The deadline is March 15th. Open the link below to learn more and apply. 

APPLY

 If you already have the app from previous years, it is automatically updated, so you don’t need to re-apply.

The KONNAROCK TRAIL CREW’s schedule for this year can be found at the link below. Expand the schedule dates to get information about the location and type of work for each Crew week.

https://appalachiantrail.org/get-involved/volunteer/trail-crews/konnarock-trail-crew/

MRATC HIKES:

WEEKLY FRIDAY HIKE:

Friday, March 13: We'll hike around the 5.7 mile Lake Trail Loop at Hungry Mother State Park.  A good year-round hike, we'll catch a true harbinger of spring, skunk cabbage.  

Meet at Lowe's in Abingdon at 9:00 AM; bring lunch, water, and suitable clothing, and please be prepared to drive.  Due to spring activity at Lowes, meet and park at the far right side of the parking lot (as you're facing the building) near the commercial pick up area.. The daily parking fee at Hungry Mother State Park is $7 per vehicle.  Please contact hike leader Joe DeLoach, deloachjoe@gmail.com or 423-416-1739, by the day before the hike to sign up or for more information.

The DAMASCUS TRAIL CENTER is hiring a temporary part-time employee from Mid-March to the beginning of August. See attached flyer. Pass the information along to anyone you think might be interested.

RIDGERUNNER: Jim Baum, who has been our Ridgerunner for 5 years, has accepted a position with the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards as Volunteer Coordinator. We will miss him! The ATC will be interviewing for a new Ridgerunner for us to start on the trail in early April.

UPCOMING: MARCH 27-29 - ATC SOUTHERN PARTNERSHIP MEETING. This year, at Mountain Lake in Pembroke, VA. Club members are welcome to sign up to attend either one day or the whole weekend, virtually or in person. It’s a great opportunity to meet members of other trail clubs in VA, NC, TN and GA. See attachment for information on meals and lodging.

If you plan on attending either in person or virtually, please REGISTER HERE. Those who register will receive agenda information when it becomes available.