MRATC ACTIVITY SCHEDULE – WINTER 2020

December, January-February-March 

Trail work in January and February will be scheduled as needed, with a later start time, and as weather permits. Work days for March are listed, but time and meeting location will be sent out in weekly email. 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 the 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 LET THE HIKE LEADER KNOW IF YOU PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY HIKE by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com.

MRATC FRIDAY HIKERS: A moderately paced hiking group.
Hikes are announced mid week. Contact Judith Foster at 276 623 2408, jaf@centurylink.net, or mtrogersatc@gmail.com if you would like to join a hike. All are welcome.

December

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

4 Wednesday. Hike on Mendota Trail: Walk a Bristol, Va RR bed 6 miles in/out on the Mendota Trail. This new trail opened in August. Meet at VHCC parking lot 8:30 AM. Bring layers for possible cold weather and rain gear if needed. Leader: Marcia Pruner.

14 Saturday. Explore the Iron Mt Trail going east from Skulls Gap IMT parking to Cherry Tree Shelter, then down the Flat Top trail to parking on Rd 603, about 6 miles, with ups and downs, and maybe some snow! Cars at both ends. Meet Lowes exit 19 9:00 or at the trailhead at 9:30. Please dress warmly, bring water and food, and extra layers, also wear some blaze orange! Let leader, Sharon Trumbley, know if you plan to come, at mtrogersatc@gmail.com.

January

1 Wednesday. New Year’s Day Hike and Potluck. Meet at 10AM Lowe’s exit19 for loop hike at Straight Branch, AT, Iron Mtn, and Beech Grove trails, about 4 miles in length. Return to Judith Foster’s home, 25386 Cornelius Dr, Abingdon, VA 24211 for the potluck, with music by Kytchyn Sync. Someone will be there to greet you. Lunch is usually around 1:30 PM or earlier. Hikers, please be prepared to drive, and bring extra shoes for housewear. Spouses/friends who are not hiking may want to meet at about 1:30 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. Someone will be at the house all morning. Leader is Judith Foster, 276-623-2408, jaf@centurylink.net. Call or email her if plan to attend or with questions prior to Jan 1.

8 Wednesday. There will be no scheduled club meeting in January. Our Annual Meeting and Potluck will be held February 29 at 6 PM at St John’s Lutheran Church in Abingdon. The next regular club meeting will be April 8, 2020 7 PM at the Abingdon library.

11 Saturday. Loop hike starting on the Straight Mountain trail near Beartree Lake. Approximately 5 miles (moderate), including the Yancy and Beartree Gap trails. Bring water and snacks, and dress in layers for cold weather, including Blaze orange, as these are Forest Service trails. Meet at the Caboose in Damascus at 9 AM. If you are interested, contact hike leader, Jim Warden, at mtrogersatc@gmail.com.

25 Saturday. Loop hike on the Appalachian and Va Creeper Trails (8+ miles easy to moderate): Beginning in Damascus, walk east on the AT and Va Creeper Trails. Turn left at AT sign and cross Rte 58/91 and ascend the stairs, following the AT four miles, across ridges with views. Cross a small log bridge and turn right on the Beech Grove Trail to reach Rte 58 in 1⁄4 mile. Cross and descend to the Straight Branch Va Creeper Trail parking. Turn right on the Creeper and walk four miles, with views of the creek, to return to Damascus. Dress warmly, bring food and water, and meet at caboose in Damascus at 9 AM. If interested, contact leader, Felicia Mitchell, at mtrogersatc@gmail.com.

February

1 Saturday. Hardcore Planning Committee Meeting. 10 AM, the Damascus Library. Any club members who would like to attend are welcome. Please bring any ideas and concerns you have, so we can keep them in mind as we start planning. For further information contact Anne Maio at trailsamkm@aol.com or 276-475-5114.

8 Saturday. Easy 4 mile “lollipop” hike in The Barrens on a trail near Lebanon, Va. starting at Tank Hollow Falls. Expect a few technical spots. We will also have an overlook of the Clinch River in a valley far below us. Leader: Marcia Pruner (mtrogersatc@gmail.com). Meet 9:00 AM at Food Country on Rt # 19 north of Abingdon.

15 Saturday. Rowland Creek falls. Nice in and out winter hike to possibly frozen waterfall, about 3 miles from Forest Service Parking area, reaching falls in about 2 miles, then another mile or so on to FS84 and return. Ups and downs and creek crossings. Moderate. Total about 6.5 miles. Meet exit 19 Lowes 9 AM. Leader: Sharon Trumbley (mtrogersatc@gmail.com).

22 Saturday. Rocky Fork State Park, Tn, south of Johnson City: 7 mile loop hike on Rock Fork Tr, Flint Creek Tr, and Blockstand Creek Tr (old RR bed). This is a newish state park. Easy to moderate. The drive will be approx. 1.5 hrs one way. Meet at the parking lot by VHCC across from Heartwood, now called the SW Va Cultural Center and Market Place, Exit 14, 8:30 AM. Leader: Marcia Pruner (mtrogersatc@gmail.com).

29 Saturday. Annual Meeting and potluck and celebration of MRATC’s 60th anniversary. Come and join us for anniversary cake. 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 Saturday. Trail work.

11 Wednesday. Hike on the AT from Mt Roger’s NRA Headquarters on Rt 16 south of Marion past Partnership shelter to Teas Rd, about 8 miles, cars at both ends. Ups and downs, moderate hike, maybe we’ll see some early spring flowers. Leader: Sharon Trumbley (mtrogersatc@gmail.com).

13-14-15 (Fri., Sat,. Sun.) ATC Southern Partnership Meeting at Hungry Mother State Park Conference Center. Because this is close to us, club members might want to attend the conference for updates, activities and topics of concern from the ATC, Forest Service, and Southern Region trail clubs. Stay tuned for emails about registration and the agenda, or contact our club’s representative, Gerry Davis, at grdavis53@mac.com.

18 Wednesday. Early spring stroll on the 5 miles of trail at the Alleghany Access, New River State Park. Maybe we’ll see the first spring wildflowers. Meet at the side of the road parking at the intersection of 58 and 16 in Mouth of Wilson, Va. at 10 A.M. Be sure to contact hike leader, Carol Broderson, mtrogersatc@gmail.com. to be included and to hear of weather cancellations.

21 Saturday. Trail work.

25 Wednesday. Hike on Grayson Highlands State Park (GHSP) trails. About 7.5 miles on Horse trail going east, a bit of Wilson Creek, Upchurch, Wilburn Branch, Stampers Branch, and Pinnacle Trail. Meet at caboose in Damascus at 8:30 to carpool, or meet at Massie Gap at GHSP at 9:30. Email mtrogersatc@gmail.com by 6 PM the night before to be contacted if there is a change in hike plans. Leader: Anne Maio.

28 Saturday. Trail work.

 Photo by Caleb George on Unsplash