JANUARY

1

First Day Hike to Molly’s Knob in Hungry Mother State Park.  Meet in the park at the parking lot on Lake Drive at 9:30 AM. (NOTE: This is a different location than the last two years.) Enter the park at the beach entrance (park fees apply), travel approximately 0.5 miles, and take a right onto Lake Drive. The parking lot will be on your immediate right. We’ll hike a loop involving the Lake Trail Loop, Ridge Trail and Molly’s Knob Trails. Lots of ups and downs and terrific views from Molly’s Knob, about a 5-mile hike. Bring water, lunch, warm clothing, and poles if you use them. Leader: Heidi Dixon-White. Let hike leader Heidi Dixon-White know if you plan to come by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com  GPS address: Hungry Mother State Park, 2854 Park Blvd., Marion, VA 24354 

14

Wednesday. MRATC Zoom meeting on club member engagement. 7 p.m. Zoom link will be sent in Sunday email. All welcome.

FEBRUARY

7

CANCELED AT Hike via Settlers Museum, Smyth County. Meet at the Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia at 10:00 AM for an out-and-back hike with attention to the natural wonders of a winter landscape. We will hike north towards Lee Hwy and return (approximately 5.6 miles round trip). There is no fee for parking, but a small donation to the historic non-profit museum with its 1890s farm and schoolhouse is welcome if able. Thanks also to PATH, the club that maintains this section. Bring winter/rain gear, water, lunch/snacks, and poles if you use them. Let hike leader Felicia Mitchell know if you plan to come by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com  GPS address: 1322 Rocky Hollow Rd, Atkins, VA. Exit 54 I-81N.

14

Hike the Iron Mt Trail from Skulls Gap to Beartree. We will begin at the view area on Rd 600, take the Skulls Gap Trail to Iron Mt Trail, and finish on Shaw Gap Trail, about 7-8 miles total, moderate difficulty. Cars at both ends. Meet at the caboose in Damascus Town Park at 8:30 AM. Bring water, snacks, and rain gear if weather threatens. Let hike leader Heidi Dixon-White know if you plan to come by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com  Note: this is where the AT is being temporarily rerouted due to work on the Creeper Trail. GPS address of Damascus Town Park: 301 S. Beaver Dam Ave, Damascus, VA 24236

28

NOTE CHANGE OF DATE FROM FEB. 21 TO FEB. 28:  Late winter hike on the Iron Mtn and Flat Top Trails. Hike North on the Iron Mtn Trail (IMT) from Skulls Gap, Rt 600, on a mixture of woods trails and old roads to Cherry Tree Shelter at 4 miles, then down the Flat Top trail to parking on 603 across from the Mt Rogers Trail, about 6 miles total mostly moderate and possibly muddy or snowy hiking. Cars at both ends and meet 9:30 AM at Skulls Gap Iron Mountain Trail parking on Rt 600. Let hike leader Sharon Trumbley know you are coming by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com  Note: This is where the AT is being temporarily rerouted due to work on the Creeper Trail. GPS for parking on 600: approximately 36.709216, -81.620944

MARCH 

7

Hike/Walk the Laurel Creek Trail near Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee. This is basically two out-and-back hikes along Laurel Creek. Meet at Laurel Creek Trailhead at 9:30 AM, or in Damascus Town Park to carpool (TBD). Walk south past Camp Ahistadi and some cool stone/wood shelters and fireplaces to the blocked off end of the trail. Backtrack, then walk north on the Laurel Creek Trail along the creek to the end. Backtrack to the parking lot. About 3.5 miles total. Some of the trail is on an old railway bed; some is single track. All is right along the flowing creek. Meet at Trailhead, off Hwy 91, at 9:30 AM. Let hike leader Donna Barkley know you are coming by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com  GPS address: None, but clear signage on HWY 91 and just before Camp Ahistadi, which has GPA address of 9863 TN-91, Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 

24

Hike at Alleghany Access New River State Park. Explore 5 miles of trail at this little known gem. The hike includes river walks, high cliff views, and a picnic lunch. We will meet up at the park at 10 AM. Let hike leader Carol Broderson, who will send directions to the park, know you are coming by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com

28-30

ATC’s Southern Partnership Meeting. Location TBA. Watch for details in a Sunday email in March or contact a Board member for more information.