ACTIVITY SCHEDULE – WINTER 2018 January-February-March

Work days in January and February will be scheduled as needed, with a later start time, and as weather permits. If not on email list for updates, contact Trail Supervisor, Doug Levin, at mratcinfo@gmail.com, or 276 698 2805.

Updates on recreational hikes and on locations for work hikes are posted under “Current Week’s Information on the club’s

website: www.mratc.org and also on Facebook (Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club). They are also sent out in the weekly email to friends and members.

During this winter season, when hikes sometimes are cancelled due to weather, and there are less hikes scheduled, we welcome new or last minute hikes when weather looks good. If you want to advertise a new fun hike, contact trumbleys@hotmail.com and it will be emailed to all members and friends on the list.

HIKERS, PLEASE CHECK WITH THE HIKE LEADER PRIOR TO ANY LISTED HIKE FOR ANY POSSIBLE CHANGES.

MRATC FRIDAY HIKERS: A moderately paced hiking group. Hikes are announced mid week. Contact Judith Foster at 276 623 2408, jaf@centurylink.net or Judith Wylie at 276 628 2848, wyliejc@comcast.net, to join a hike. All are welcome.

January

1 Monday. New Year’s Day Hike and Potluck. Meet at 10 AM Lowe’s exit 19 for loop hike at Straight Branch, AT, Iron Mtn, and Beech Grove trails. Please bring extra shoes for housewear. Spouses/friends who are not hiking may want to meet at 1 PM at 25386 Cornelius Dr, to meet hikers when they return. Food for pot luck can be brought to the house earlier (9:30), if that works. Leader is Judith Foster, 276-623-2408, jaf@centurylink.net.

3 Wednesday. Club quarterly meeting. NOTE CHANGE OF DATE! At Washington County Public Library Community Room at 7 PM. All club members are invited to attend.

6 Saturday. Hike from Hampton, TN to Watauga Dam (North on the A.T.). It has about 1,400 ft climb in elevation with views of the dam and lake. Bring food, water and enough clothes to stay warm. Meet at Lowe's Exit 19 at 9 am and carpool from there. Leader Anna Sherrill, gsk96Sherrill@gmail.com.

20 Saturday. Hike from Fairwood pkg lot up Flat Top Trail to Cherry Tree Shelter, then Iron Mtn Trail to AT at Chestnut Flats and down AT to pkg lot at Fox Creek. Cars at both ends. Meet at the caboose in Damascus at 9 a.m. or at Fox Creek pkg. lot at 9:40. Approx distance 6.5 miles. Leader: Anne Maio 276-475-5114 trailsamkm@aol.com.

February

3 Saturday. Hike from parking lot at Backbone Rock up Backbone Rock trail to the AT, then north on AT to Damascus, a total of about 8 miles. Cars at both ends. Meet at Lowes exit 19 9:00 a.m. or in Damascus at caboose at 9:20. Leader: Sharon Trumbley 276-356-3683 or trumbleys@hotmail.com.

17 Saturday. Hike to Beartown Mtn in Clinch Mtn Wildlife Management Area. A mixture of hunter roads and some bushwhacking for the adventurous. Approximately 5-6 miles, steep in places, incredible mountain views at the top. Meet at Meadowview Town Square 9 AM. Contact leader Jim Warden at jawarden@ehc.edu if coming. Bring water, food, raingear or appropriate warm clothing depending on weather.

24 Saturday. MRATC Annual Meeting and potluck. St. John Lutheran Church, 807 E. Main St., Abingdon. Bring food to share and serving utensils. The Club will provide beverages, plates, cups, etc. We will set up at 5:30. Supper – 6 -7 p.m. Business meeting – 7-8:30 p.m. will include election of officers, volunteer hours awards, review of past year’s activities and plans for the upcoming year. How to get there: I-81, Exit 19. Turn left if coming from the south or right if coming from the north. Go about half a mile. The church is on the right, on the corner of E. Main and Hillman Hwy.

March

1 Deadline for Spring newsletter.

7 Wednesday. Trail work, weather permitting: meet at the caboose in Damascus at 9 a.m. 9-11 ATC Southern Partnership Meeting at Hungry Mother State Park. Terry Walker will be our official representative, but all club members are encouraged to attend. Details to come later.

14 Wednesday. Trail work, weather permitting: meet at the caboose in Damascus at 9 a.m.

17 Saturday. Hike per Doug Levin, to be announced later.

24 Saturday. Trail work. Meet at the caboose in Damascus at 9 a.m.

31 Saturday. Trail work. Meet at the caboose in Damascus at 9 a.m. 

Photo: Coldwater Creek by Billy Wilson