MRATC Activities and Information, Week of June 6 – 12, 2021

MRATC TRAIL WORK

No regular work day this coming week, but a couple trail related things going on…

On Monday 6/7 there is a small sawyer group already assembled to work on the large blowdown between switchbacks 6 and 7 going up to Saunders Shelter. It’s been there for a few years and has moved in a way that should allow for its removal.  If anyone is interested in tagging along on that project please e-mail mratcinfo@gmail.com. The details are being finalized, but figure a start time of about 9 from Damascus.

On Wed and Thurs the 9th and 10th there will be an Eagle Scout project on the AT about a ½ mile south of Wise shelter.  It’s a long section requiring extensive drainage work and has been an issue for years.  If you’re in the area, stop by…. and bring ice cream for about a dozen 😊

Thanks to all who helped with the work project Saturday, 6/5. It was the most normal workday we’ve had since Covid and with an energetic group of 7 we addressed all the sidehill issues between 859 and Lost Mtn Shelter.

MRATC HIKES

The hike listed for Grayson Highlands State Park on Monday, June 7^th  has been canceled due to leader’s injury and may be rescheduled later in the summer or fall. The next hike (Elk Garden to Whitetop) will be Monday, June 21^st. Details to follow later in June.

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).

BEAR WARNING, South of Damascus: Due to reported aggressive bear activity and evidence of bear(s) entering campsites and taking food, the area around the Appalachian Trail between the Double Springs Shelter and the Backbone Rock side trail (mile marker 451 to approximately mile marker 464 is closed to camping until further notice.

Interview article  -  MRATC and Nantahala AT Club trail maintainer, Wilford Corbin:

https://swvatoday.com/news/article_66f22759-af71-5706-a673-5b59be288192.html

 Grayson Highlands St. Park and adjacent area map (Avenza maps app) free download available:  https://www.avenzamaps.com/maps/1204147/grayson-highlands-state-park.

Virginia AT license plates:  $15 of the $25 annual fee goes to the ATC VA Regional Office to support the AT – including the new Damascus Trail Center. If you would like to order one, go to this section of the DMV website:

https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/#splates/category.asp?category=S 

Current MRATC information is also posted on Facebook:  Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club (MRATC), on Twitter:  twitter.com @Mt_rogersATC, and on Instagram.com:  mountrogersATclub. 

•Visit the ATC's website for information and hikes in AT Communities up and down the AT, listed by state.

In our area, the AT Communities are Damascus, Abingdon, and Marion/Smyth County. 

https://appalachiantrail.org/explore/communities

TRAIL UPDATES

Grayson Highlands State Park Backpackers' pkg. lot reservations:https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/grayson-highlands-state-park/VA/140172/35528/campsite-booking

•The bridge at Comers Creek Falls has been removed as of 3/20/2021. Steps and stepstones have been installed  so a low-water crossing can be made, and this section of the AT from Dickey Gap south has been re-opened. During times of suspected high water, hikers should plan to use the marked detour on Rte. 650.

Bears:  In 2019 and 2020, there were fewer reports of bears taking hikers' food than in 2018, but bears could come back to try to get food from hikers, especially if they are cooking. Hikers are urged to use the metal bearboxes for overnight food storage near Saunders Shelter, Lost Mtn. Shelter, Thomas Knob Shelter, near Rhododendron Gap, Wise Shelter, Old Orchard Shelter, the Scales, Hurricane Mtn. Shelter, and Trimpi Shelter. 

.