MRATC Activities and Information, Week – July 5 – 11, 2026
- mratcboard
- Jul 5
- 4 min read
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TRAIL WORK:
On Sat July 11th we will meet at Massie Gap at 9:30 and continue dismantling fire rings just north of Grayson Highlands in concert with the ongoing USFS fire ban. Depending on group size we might also reset some sign posts in the vicinity. RSVP if you plan to attend
or send an e-mail to trails@mratc.org
JULY WILDERNESS (SAWS) VOLUNTEER EVENTS TO JOIN:
Saturday, July 11, 2026, 9am - 4pm
Where: Little Dry Run Trail, Little Dry Run Wilderness
Henley Hollow Trailhead/Parking Lot
Speedwell, VA
Brushing, crosscut, trail rehab
Bring lunch, water, snacks, long pants and closed toe shoes. PPE, tools and after event beverages provided by SAWS.
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
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 10:
Join us for an approx. 2 mile loop through a rhododendron shaded trail, along Cabin Creek to some beautiful waterfalls in Grayson Highlands State Park. The hike includes some root and rock scrambling near the falls. Hikers who want to extend their hike for an additional 2.7 miles will continue up the Big Pinnacle Trail to the Twin Pinnacles and down to the Visitor Center where we will have lunch @ Buzzard Rock Overlook. This portion of the hike is considered moderate with some difficulty in the rocky areas. We will depart down with an easy hike on Stamper's Branch Trail to the intersection with Haw Mt. Trail leading back to Massie Gap. Total miles 4.8. Plan on bringing water, lunch/snack and hiking poles. Contact hike leader, Carol Keene @ info@mratc.org or RSVP on the MRATC website:
We will plan to meet at Abingdon Lowes at 9AM or Massie Gap Parking at GHSP at 10AM.
Please denote your meet up location.
WED., JULY 8TH - 7 p.m.: MRATC SUMMER QUARTER MEETING – at the Trail Center and on Zoom. Zoom link:
---One tap mobile:
+13092053325,,89434610596#,,,,*418494# US
Agenda:
KONNAROCK CREW – upcoming projects in our area to join:
Club members who would like to join the crew for a day or two, contact Jerry Kyle: jkyle@appalachiantrail.org
July 6-10:
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 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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