MRATC Activities and Information, Week of Feb. 15 – 21, 2026
- mratcboard
- Feb 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 28
MRATC TRAIL WORK: The club will resume regular weekly group trail work in March. Until then, we will go out if a trail issue that is reported suggests a need (mratcinfo@gmail.com).
Attention MRATC Section Monitors who don’t already have the Far Out app to identify the AT mile for trail issues you want to report to the club’s Trail Supervisor:
FarOut Giveaway for A.T. Volunteer Trail Maintainers:
The ATC, thanks to our friends at Atlas Guides, producers of the FarOut app, are extending an invitation to A.T. volunteers that entitles them to free Appalachian Trail maps for their mobile device (a value of up to $74.99).
This is just one way the ATC is able to say 'thank you' to stewards of the Trail. The deadline is March 15th. Open the link below to learn more and apply.
If you already have the app from previous years, it is automatically updated, so you don’t need to re-apply.
MRATC HIKES:
WEEKLY FRIDAY HIKE:
Friday, Feb. 20: Hikers meet at Lowes in Abingdon at 9AM for a 20 min. drive to Hidden Valley Lake. Depending on the condition of the access road to the dam, we will have a couple of options. Option 1, a 4 mile hike on the Brumley Trail with cars parked at each end, or an approx. 5 mile out and back on the Lake Loop Trail.
Please bring lunch, water, hiking poles and appropriate cold weather apparel. Contact hike leader Carol Keene for updates concerning the hike prior to Friday. ecmk@aol.com or 276-698-6261.
Two attached photos: One shows hikers at Natural Tunnel St. Park on Feb. 13th, led by Joe DeLoatch.
The other shows hikers on the Iron Mtn. Trail at Straight Branch Shelter, after completing the first part of a challenging hike on icy snow.
Note: The hike from Skulls Gap to Rte. 603 (Fairwood Valley) originally scheduled for Feb. 21, has been postponed until Feb. 28th so it won’t conflict with the Naturalist Rally. Details next Sunday.
WINTER NATURALIST RALLY: Feb. 21. Save the date! Programs will include pottery-making, post-hurricane geology, and human-animal encounters. For details, visit www.blueridgediscoverycenter.org
UPCOMING: MARCH 27-29 - ATC SOUTHERN PARTNERSHIP MEETING. This year, at Mountain Lake in Pembroke, VA. Club members are welcome to sign up to attend either one day or the whole weekend, virtually or in person. It’s a great opportunity to meet members of other trail clubs in VA, NC, TN and GA. See attachment for information on meals and lodging.
If you plan on attending either in person or virtually, please REGISTER HERE. Those who register will receive agenda information when it becomes available.
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