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Trails Committee: mratcinfo@gmail.com to report maintenance problems on the trail
(Links to other pages are listed on the right under "sidebar)
PURPOSE AND MISSION
The MOUNT ROGERS APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB, a member of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, was organized February 29, 1960. The club has maintenance responsibilities for 59.4 miles of the APPALACHIAN TRAIL in the Jefferson National Forest, Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, Grayson Highlands State Park and additional trails in the area.
The primary focus of the MOUNT ROGERS APPALACHIAN TRAIL CLUB is to help ensure that the APPALACHIAN TRAIL remains available for future generations, fulfill its maintenance responsibilities to the highest degree possible, undertake projects that would enhance use of the Trail without sacrifice of beauty or serenity and provide opportunity for Club members to enjoy activities associated with the Trail.
Hiker Alerts:
CORONAVIRUS TRAIL INFORMATION -
The VA Creeper Trail, Damascus Town Park, and AT trailheads in the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area have reopened.
(Use of shelters and privies is not recommended at this time.)
ATC: The website below has ATC recommendations for hikers and for trail volunteers.
The footbridge on the AT over Comers Creek near the Falls has been removed due to structural problems.
During times of low-water, hikers can cross the creek using the steps and stepstones that have been installed until a new bridge can be approved and funded by the National Park Service.
In times when high water is suspected:
Southbound hikers should use the detour on the side road (Rte. 650), starting at the jct. of Rtes. 16/650, and following blaze posts for about 1.5 miles, then turning left on the blue-blazed 4/10 mile long Dickey Gap Trail across from Hurricane Campground to rejoin the AT and turn right to continue south.
Northbound hikers should turn left onto the Dickey Gap Trail (about a mile south of Comers Creek Falls), then turn right and follow blaze posts on the road to Dickey Gap (jct. of Rtes. 16/650) to re-join the AT, turning left to continue north.
Backpackers: Be Bear Aware!
Because there have been bear/human encounters at campsites in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, and bears have learned to pull down food bags hung in trees, it is highly recommended that anyone camping overnight put their food and "smellables" in the metal bear boxes installed at nine locations.
Site
Miles north of Damascus
Saunders Shelter
9.5
Lost Mtn. Shelter
16
just north of Thomas Knob Shelter
28.4
just south of Rhododendron Gap
29.2
just north of Wise Shelter
33.5
The Scales
36.5
Old Orchard Shelter
39.5
Hurricane Mtn. Shelter
44.4
Trimpi Shelter
53.6
Trail Center Update:
New Damascus Trail Center: exterior complete. Landscaping and exhibits to come. Soft opening: Spring, 2021, with Grand Opening when COVID restrictions on gatherings allow.
The Appalachian Trail goes down the main street of Damascus, VA. The Town has set up a brick pathway to celebrate the Trail and the many hikers who have hiked through Town. For further information about the project, or for information about a brick you purchased, visit www.appalachiantrail.org/communitypathway.
Note: Activities are also posted on the MRATC FACEBOOK PAGE! Come check it out and join us!
Check out MRATC information and activities on Instagram: mountrogersATclub.
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