MRATC Activities and Information, Week April 12-18, 2026

MRATC TRAIL WORK:

.No group trail work has been announced yet for this week.

Attached photo, taken by Marcia Pruner, shows blowdown and rootball on Whitetop Mtn. being attacked by participants in the April 8^th trail work hike.

WILDERNESS FIRST AID/CPR

There are a few slots for trail clubs in the NOLS Wilderness First Aid/CPR class May 1-3 at Konnarock Base Camp in Sugar Grove. Chain and Crosscut Sawyers who need first aid certification take priority. Application and information (which includes where to send application) is in the 5 documents attached.

MRATC HIKES:

Hike Fri. April 17, 2026

Hikers meet at the Abingdon Lowe’s, or the Park & Ride on Rte.19 for a short drive to the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve in Russell County. We will have an easy to moderate hike along the Big Cedar Creek River to the waterfalls while seeing beautiful spring flowers.  If we are fortunate, we may find the lone yellow lady slipper in bloom. Bring water, lunch and appropriate gear.

Please contact Carol Keene if you plan to hike and which meet up location to expect you. Ecmk@aol.com

Attached photo shows participants in a hike at The Pinnacle in Russell County on April 8th, led by Sharon Trumbley.

OPPORTUNITIES TO MEET RIDGERUNNER, MELISSA FINELLI:

Tue., Apr. 14:  Meet at Massie Gap at 10 a.m. for a short hike.

Sat., Apr. 18: Meet at Fox Creek AT pkg. lot at noon. Hike to Old Orchard and join a talk about privy maintenance.

EARTH DAY EVENTS

Sat., April 18^th, is Earth Day in Abingdon, with booths set up by local environmental groups at the Fields Penn House, corner of W. Main and Cummings Sts. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  MRATC has participated for the last 20 years. Help is needed on our booth (setup, greeting visitors and handing out club and hike information): Need 1 more person to help, 8:30 to 11. Please reply to this email.

Wed. April 22^nd: Earth Day At present, meet time is estimated as 9:30 a.m. at Massie Gap for a project between Massie Gap and Wise Shelter. Watch for new details or changes in next Sunday’s club email.                                      

UPCOMING SPRING BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Potluck 12 PM

May 2, 2026

25386 Cornelius Dr., 24211

Please RSVP judithannfoster@gmail.com

USFS MOBILE APP

The US Forest Service has a new informational app, National Forests and Grasslands:

If you’re reading this on your phone, click the relevant link to download the app:

• Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/national-forests-grasslands/id6746565710

• Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=gov.usda.fs.nfg

Additionally, the USFS has a couple of other mapping products:

• Interactive Visitor Map (IVM)

  • Interactive map of the entire country, you can either:

    • Search for a name of a recreation asset (trail, trailhead, road, campground, etc.) and it’ll automatically zoom to that location

    • Manually zoom to your area of interest

  • Use the Tool Icon to save a geo-referenced PDF for use in Avenza.

• Digital Maps

  • Standard geo-referenced maps including all USFS assets (Avenza friendly)

  • Scales: Forest, Ranger District, Topo, and Legacy Topos

  • Save and upload to Avenza

UPCOMING:  SPRING NATURALIST RALLY. Field trips have been announced.

Spring Rally — Blue Ridge Discovery Center