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Current Week's Information

This version was saved 2 years, 9 months ago View current version     Page history
Saved by trailsamkm@aol.com
on June 13, 2021 at 7:33:41 am
 

 

MRATC Activities and Information, Week of June 13 – 19, 2021

 

 

MRATC TRAIL WORK

On Sat June 19th we will meet by the Damascus caboose at 9:30 and work on some sidehill somewhere north of Damascus, most likely near Summit Cut or 601. Exact location to be determined. Please e-mail mratcinfo@gmail.com if you plan to help.

 

The Eagle Scout project on the AT about a ½ mile south of Wise shelter was postponed last week due to poor weather.  It has been rescheduled for Mon. and Tue., June 14-15.

 

Last week’s trail project: A group of seven did sidehill work between Lost Mtn. Shelter and Rte. 859. 

 

RARE PLANT MONITORING HIKE

Friday, June 18. Meet at Elk Garden at 9:30. We will monitor rare plants just south of Elk Garden.  There will be an optional hike after: AT north to Brier Ridge and back on the horse trail, about 5 miles. Bring lunch and rain gear; and be sure to email mtrogersatc@gmail.com  to be included.

 

MRATC HIKES

Upcoming:

June 21 Monday. Hike from Elk Garden to Whitetop Mtn and Buzzard Rock on the AT South and back, with cool green woods and stunning views. About 6-7 miles. Meet 9:00 A.M. at Elk Garden parking. If planning to come let hike leader, Sharon Trumbley, know by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com by 6 P.M. the evening before. Most likely numbers will be limited depending on Covid concerns at the time.

 

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.

 

NEXT MRATC MEETING – DATE AND LOCATION:

Our next club meeting will be Wed., July 14, at the new Damascus Trail Center. Details to come. Opportunity to see the relief map of the AT in our area, for those who haven’t seen it yet. There will be also be a connection via Zoom for this meeting, with some technological challenges.

 

 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. 

 

 

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