ACTIVITY SCHEDULE – Fall 2018 September October, November, December 

Updates on trail work locations and recreational hike plans are sent out by email to club members and friends a few days prior to these activities. If you don’t get club email, please contact listed hike leader to check on last minute plans, or contact Doug Levin, Trails Coordinator, at mratcinfo@gmail.com or 276-698-2805 for information on trail work or to report trail work needs! Trail work hikes will generally meet at 9:00 AM, with location sent out in weekly email. Updates are also posted on www.mratc.org/ Current Weeks information and on our Facebook page: Mt. Rogers Appalachian Trail Club.

HIKERS, PLEASE LET HIKE LEADER KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY HIKE by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com. This helps with planning, and also lets participant know if any changes have been made in the hike. Please remember to wear blaze orange during hunting season!

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

September

22 Saturday. Public Lands Day at MRNRA HQ, 10 – 2, Need many club members to lead activities and staff the club’s booth.

26 Wednesday. Trail work. See July 7.

29 Saturday. ATC Family Hike Day, hike needed for this day, family friendly.

October

3 Wednesday. Trail work.

6 Saturday. Fall Roan Mtn hike, hopefully to see some color. Hike will leave from Carver’s Gap (a 1-2 hr drive from Abingdon) and go 5-7 miles depending on wishes of hikers. We will go North on the AT to Grassy Ridge (with views the whole way) and return to Carver’s Gap and drive a couple miles South into the park and hike to Roan High Bluff, with incredible views in the other direction, on Roan High Bluff trail (about another 1-2 miles RT if hikers desire). Leader, Sharon Trumbley. Meet 8:30 at Heartwood parking lot. Bring water, food, extra layer of clothes, and raingear if needed.

10 Wednesday. Holston Mountain/Flint Mill trail hike. Moderate 7 mile loop hike on Holston Mountain near Little Stoney, Tn. We will stop at the Blue Hole, which has 3 lovely waterfalls, then drive up to the Holston Mountain fire tower parking. After walking to the fire tower, we follow Holston Mountain Trail and Flint Mill Trail downhill to Flint Rock for lunch and views of Holston Lake/Valley and Clinch Mountain. We hike back on level FS Rd 4202 (Flint Mill Gap Rd). Meet at caboose in Damascus at 8:30. Leader is Marcia Pruner.

13 Saturday. Trail work.

17 Wednesday. Fall foliage hike. Meet at Dickey Gap at 9:30 for a moderate 6.5 mile hike on the AT and horse trails. Leader is Carol Broderson.

20 Saturday. High Country Hike. Meet at the caboose in Damascus at 8:30 or at Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park at 9:30 (Let leader know if meeting at the Park). We will hike the AT to Rhododendron Gap, the Pine Mtn Trail 2 miles to the AT intersection, then return via the Crest Trail and Rhododendron Gap Trail. About 9 miles. Rain could alter. If doubt, contact leader by 8 AM. Leader: Anne Maio 276-475-5114 or trailsamkm@aol.com.

24  Wednesday. Trail work.

27  Saturday. Trail work.

31 Wednesday. Hike from Elk Garden to Whitetop Mtn and back, about 5 moderate miles RT and enjoy late fall flora and great views from Whitetop. Meet at 9 AM at Lowes parking near Garden center exit 19 Abingdon. Leader is Anna Sherrill.

November

3 Saturday. Iron Mtn Trail in Shady Valley from Sandy Gap on Rt 421 to Cross Mtn Rd., about 5 moderate miles. The end is near where the Iron Mtn Trail and the AT converge. We will leave cars at both ends. Meet at Abingdon Lowes at 8:30 or the caboose in Damascus at 9:00. Leader is Marcia Pruner.

7 Wednesday. Trail work.

10 Saturday. Hike in the Wildlife Management Area, TBA according to road conditions. Length about 5 to 6 miles, with possible elevation change of 900 feet. Interesting terrain with old roads and hunter paths. Meet at Meadowview Town Square 8:30 AM. Bring water, snacks, blaze orange, and rain gear if weather threatens. Please let hike leader know if you are coming: Jim Warden, at mtrogersatc@gmail.com

14 Wednesday. Meeting with our Agency Partners at Sugar Grove Forest Service Work Center on Flatridge Rd. (Rte 601) (Second driveway brings you closest to the Work Center classroom). The club’s business meeting will start at 10:30 AM. Bring a sack lunch and we will break to eat at about 12:30. Desserts and snacks to share are welcome. Beverages provided. The Partnership portion of the meeting will start at 1:00 PM.

17 Saturday. Trail work.

21 Wednesday. Grassy Branch hike from Rt. 603 to 600 and back. Meet at trailhead at 9:30 or contact hike leader for carpool possibilities. 6.5 miles, moderate hike, but trail can be wet. Hike will be cancelled if the weather is bad. Contact Carol at mtrogersatc@gmail.com if you plan to join the hike.

22 Thanksgiving

24 Saturday. Gentry Falls hike (with possible Roger’s Ridge). A mild to moderate (many stream crossings) 2.5 mile hike to Gentry Creek Falls in Johnson county Tn. An in and out hike with total mileage being 5 miles. If hikers want to hike more, could explore the Roger’s Ridge trail whose parking area we passed on way to the Falls parking. Leader is Sharon Trumbley.

28 Wednesday. Trail work.

December

Trail work in December, January, and February will be scheduled as needed and when weather permits.

1. Saturday (deadline for Winter newsletter), Hike off the Blue Ridge Parkway, TBA. Possibly Rough Ridge on Tanawha trail, Green Knob trail, or a loop hike in Price Park. 5 to 6 miles, moderate altitude changes. Travel about 65 miles one way. Meet at Lowe's exit 19 Abingdon 8:30 AM. Bring water, snacks, and rain gear if weather threatens. Please let hike leader know if you are coming: Jim Warden, at mtrogersatc@gmail.com.

The remaining hikes for December are not yet planned. For information, check any December club emails you receive or check www.mratc.org/Current Week's Information in December.

Remember that if you order merchandise online from amazon.com, you can order using “Amazon Smile” and a penny for every dollar will come back to the club! Please use the following link:
http://smile.amazon.com/ch/54-1716495 

Photo: Coldwater Creek by Billy Wilson