MRATC Activities and Information, Week – July 12 – 18, 2026
- mratcboard
- Jul 12
- 3 min read
TRAIL WORK:
On Wed July 15th we'll meet behind the Damascus Trail Center at 9:30 and hike south from Damascus to remove a few blowdowns, and work on brushing, drainage and whatever else we happen to find. RSVP Trailwork - Wed July 15 | MRATC or e-mail trails@mratc.org if you plan to help.
JULY WILDERNESS (SAWS) VOLUNTEER EVENTS TO JOIN:
Weekend at the Pine Mountain Cabin and Bunkhouse
When: July 17th - 19th
Where: Meet at the Fox Creek, Appalachian Trailhead/Parking Lot, July 17th 4pm
Hope to be back at the parking lot Sunday by 3pm.
3 days, 2 nights and the rustic Forest Service Pine Mountain Cabin and Bunkhouse. We will focus on maintaining the Pine Mountain Trail and the upper portion of the Lewis Fork and Cliffside Trails. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. You are responsible for lunch, snacks, sleep set up. SAWS will provide PPE and tools.
We will probably hike to the cabin from Fox Creek. Doing some general maintenance. Your packs and gear will be shuttled up the mountain, because we love our volunteers. But you are also welcome to drive up to The Scales and take the much shorter hike in to the cabin.
The event isn't on our website yet, so please e mail or text me about registration:
For more information, contact:
Jim Baum
336.209.8799
MRATC HIKES:
Friday, July 17:
Meet at the parking lot across from the campground store at GHSP. We'll walk about 5 miles on the Seed Orchard, AT, Scales, and Wilson Creek trails in search of Blue Ridge St. Johnswort. Bring lunch and rain gear.
9AM meet at Abingdon Lowes or 10AM meet at GHSP parking across from the campground store.
Please RSVP using the link below if you plan to attend.
Hike Leader Carol Broderson.
UPCOMING: VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS FESTIVAL. Starts July 24th.
Lots of great outdoor events. Register at vahighlandsfestival.com
KONNAROCK CREW – upcoming projects in our area to join:
July 14-18
The goal of this project is to move the A.T. out of an eroded, poorly drained area of sensitive spruce forest in the Lewis Fork Wilderness Area. New treadway will be constructed in an open area near Wilburn Ridge in the Mount Rogers High Country. Volunteers will camp in the high country with UTV support. Participants will hike approximately 2 miles with about 800 feet of elevation gain to the campsite. The worksite is adjacent to the campsite. Volunteers will enjoy panoramic views of the Grayson Highlands area.
July 22 – July 26
This project will complete a short trail relocation and improve treadway conditions in the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness Area in southwest Virginia. Work will consist of building wilderness-grade trail with minimal land impact, improving drainage, and constructing minimalist stone structures. Hike to the worksite is approximately 1.5 miles via the A.T. across Stone Mountain with expansive views of the Mount Rogers High Country. Volunteers will camp at the Scales on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.
Aug. 7-11
This project will complete the construction of stone steps and cribbing on the Trail, south of Comer’s Creek. The worksite is next to the tallest cascade waterfall on the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. Hike to the worksite is 0.5 miles from the trailhead. The crew will stay at the Konnarock Basecamp and commute to and from the worksite each day.
For information about other Konnarock Crew projects outside of MRATC’s area, visit:
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