MRATC Activities and Information, Week of Apr. 21 – 27, 2024

MRATC TRAIL WORK:

On Wed. April 24^th we'll address several blowdowns within about a mile of Summit Cut. Meet at 9:00 at the Damascus Trail Center.  Send an e-mail to mratcinfo@gmail.com if you plan to attend. 

MRATC HIKES:  

Thursday, April 25. Meet at Elk Garden AT pkg. lot on Rte. 600 at 9:30. We'll look for early signs of spring on Whitetop and learn the basics of rare plant monitoring. We'll hike 5+ miles from Elk Garden to Whitetop and back. Bring lunch and rain gear, and be sure to email hike leader Carol Broderson so that you can be informed of any changes.  mtrogersatc@gmail.com

Saturday, April 27. Meet at Elk Garden AT pkg. lot on Rte. 600  at 9:30 to hike from Elk Garden to Buzzard Rock and back. About 7 moderate miles, with a couple of rocky spots. We will eat lunch at Buzzard Rock and enjoy the views. We will probably see lots of wild flowers. People can also turn around at White Top, for a 5 mile hike. The temperature will be cooler that day; dress in layers. Bring lunch, water, poles, etc.Leader: Maria Salgado. Email mtrogersatc@gmail.com to let her know you are coming.    

DAMASCUS APPALACHIAN TRAIL DAYS, Fri. May 17 – Sun. May 19.

The festival offers lots of music, food and craft and gear vendors to enjoy! Go to https://www.visitdamascus.org/traildays.html for ongoing updated information.

MT. ROGERS NATURALIST RALLY CELEBRATES 50^TH ANNIVERSARY with an outstanding array of field trips May 10-12. For details and registration, visit:

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

WASHINGTON COUNTY HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP-OFF: MAY 18^th. See attached poster for information.PRESCRIBED BURNS: The Forest Service in Tennessee and Virginia are planning prescribed burns for this spring. Since prescribed burns are weather-dependent, there may be little advanced notice of a burn along the A.T. If you encounter prescribed burn operations while hiking, follow all instructions from posted signs and fire crews. Prescribed burns in the A.T. corridor may cause temporary Trail closures; be prepared to wait for up to several hours for the Trail to reopen or find an alternative route. Hikers may see smoke from prescribed burns in lands near the A.T. If you ever encounter or suspect a wildfire on the A.T., call 911. 

KONNAROCK CREW 2024

If you would like to spend a few days doing trail work with the Konnarock Crew this spring or summer, this is the link to a Google doc. to see the projects and locations and sign up:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdP7sR78fmTJ9pmO6whPdvfD9hUOpeL_M-YnGHylw2tZcUuwQ/viewform?usp=sf_link

WILDERNESS SKILLS INSTITUTE:  Dates and course offerings listed on website:

https://wildernessskillsinstitute.org/sawsi/

DAMASCUS TRAIL CENTER

The Trail Center is  open 10 – 5 Thu. - Mon. in the early spring season. Phone: 276-323-3046.