| 
  • If you are citizen of an European Union member nation, you may not use this service unless you are at least 16 years old.

  • You already know Dokkio is an AI-powered assistant to organize & manage your digital files & messages. Very soon, Dokkio will support Outlook as well as One Drive. Check it out today!

View
 

Current Week's Information

This version was saved 2 years ago View current version     Page history
Saved by trailsamkm@aol.com
on March 13, 2022 at 6:51:08 am
 

 

 

MRATC Activities and Information, Week of March 13-19, 2022

 

 

MRATC TRAIL WORK:

 

No group trail work has been announced for this week.

 

Preparations are underway for puncheon bog bridge work just north of Wise Shelter later this month with students from E&H – and for moving the Wise pit privy cabin over a new pit.

 

On Thu., March 10, 7 club members worked hard to fill in a large hole about 6 ft. wide and 4 ft. deep that covered the AT and part of the lower embankment just south of Dickey Gap, where a tree had fallen and pulled up its roots. Those who wielded shovels and pulaskis and carried many, many rocks and moved much dirt were: Doug Levin, Sharon Trumbley, Jim Warden, Randy Goodman, Ron Bobko, Carol Broderson and Anne Maio.

 

MRATC HIKES:

Sat. March 19:  Fun Hike. Look for early spring flowers and enjoy views from the ridge on a hike up fromBackbone Rock to the AT and down to Damascus, about 7-8 miles total, with cars at both ends. Meet atcaboose at 9:00 AM. Hike leader is Maria Salgado. Let her know if you plan to hike by emailingmtrogersatc@gmail.com. 

Note: 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).

 

The Friday hiking group is holding small group hikes. Contact Judith for information (jaf@centurylink.net; 276-623-2408)

 

BOOK TALK

On Saturday, March 19 @ 2 PM, at the Damascus Library, Bunny Medeiros will be talking about the new Second Edition update of her 2014 book on Damascus, Friendliest Town on the Trail. 

 

AT VISTA 2022, at SUNY NEW PALTZ, AUG. 5-8: Online registration begins in mid-March. Hikes, Excursions and workshops are already listed on the website: https://atvista2022.org.

  

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR EVENTS AT TRAIL CENTER THIS SPRING

Beginning May 6, the ATC will host a pop-up visitor center Friday-Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This pop-up center will run through the summer to engage with visitors while interior renovations are completed. If you would like to volunteer to be a part of the pop-up center team, please visit 

https://volunteer.appalachiantrail.org/s/atc-project-details?c__recId=a0q1U000007TQ5x

to complete the volunteer application.

If you have any questions on volunteer opportunities, you may contact the Damascus Trail Center Supervisor at emayo@appalachiantrail.org.

  

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.

 

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 

 

 

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, 2020, and 2021 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 carry a bear canister or to use the metal bear boxes 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. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments (0)

You don't have permission to comment on this page.