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MRATC Activities and Information, Week – June 21 – 27, 2026



Club hikers at Roan Mtn. June 16, 2026




 MRATC TRAIL WORK:

Wed. Jun 24, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

Elk Garden Trailhead, Co Rd 600, Troutdale, VA 24378, USA

We will be installing new signage near Briar Ridge to discourage horse riders from accessing the AT. Hike length about 5 miles total.


Grassy Branch Trail Maintenance with SAWS:

June 27 2026, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm

Participants will be clearing Hurricane Helene damage from the Grassy Branch Trail. We will be pruning, crosscutting, and rehabbing storm damaged trail.

Bring lunch, water, snacks, long pants, gloves and sturdy footwear. We will provide PPE and tools.

Meet at Elk Garden Trailhead, Appalachian Trail Crossing, VA 600, Troutdale, VA 24378, 36.646130,-81.583268

Any questions:  

Jim Baum, 336.209.8799

I appreciate all the help MRATC has provided our Wilderness Trails!  Looking for another win for our Wilderness on Saturday.

Jim Baum

Virginia Volunteer Coordinator

Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards 


MRATC HIKES:

Friday, June 26:

Brumley Trail hike to a beautiful waterfall: Join us for a moderate, (mostly easy) approximate 6 mile hike by a stream to a beautiful waterfall. The hike is shaded and can be wet in areas depending on the rainfall before the hike. We will lunch on the rocks beneath the waterfall. Please bring water, snack/lunch and hiking poles are encouraged due to a couple of scrambles. The hike will begin at the Hidden Valley Lake Dam parking area.

Hikers plan to meet at one of the following locations:

Abingdon Lowes 9:00 AM

Good Will, Porterfield Highway 9:10 AM

Hidden Valley Lake Dam parking 9:30AM

Please RSVP to leader, Maria, if you

plan to hike, using the link below, and note at which location you plan to meet ( or RSVP via the MRATC Website mratc.org under Events.)




             


 NEW MRATC MEMBERS:  Chandra Casteel, Sarah Campbell, Diana Ebanks, Niki Weir, Tony Keck and Wyatt Parker. Welcome!


FOR UPDATES ON PROGRESS ON THE VA CREEPER TRAIL REBUILD, VISIT:

Progress - Virginia Creeper Trail     (Kiewit Corporation’s website)

 

To become a member of the Virginia Creeper Trail Conservancy:

 

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:

 

FOREST-WIDE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROPOSAL

For information on this project, visit:

 
 
 

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