MRATC Activities and Information, Week of March 1 – 7, 2026

MRATC TRAIL WORK: We will start the 2026 season on Sat., March 7. We will meet at Fox Creek AT lot on 603 at 10 a.m. and head north on the trail from there, addressing several moderate blowdowns, plus anything else we find. Please email  mratcinfo@gmail.com  if you plan to participate.

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. 

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, March 6: Meet at Lowe’s ready to depart at 9 a.m. for the hike at Guest River Gorge. Bring lunch, water and please be prepared to drive Teply to Judithannfoster@gmail.com.

Due to spring activity at Lowes, meet and park at the far right side of the parking lot near the commercial pick up area.

Sat., March 7: Hike/Walk the Laurel Creek Trail near Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee. This is basically two out-and-back hikes along Laurel Creek. Meet at Laurel Creek Trailhead at 9:30 AM, or in Damascus Town Park to carpool (TBD). Walk south past Camp Ahistadi and some cool stone/wood shelters and fireplaces to the blocked off end of the trail. Backtrack, then walk north on the Laurel Creek Trail along the creek to the end. Backtrack to the parking lot. About 3.5 miles total. Some of the trail is on an old railway bed; some is single track. All is right along the flowing creek. Meet at Trailhead, off Hwy 91, at 9:30 AM. Let hike leader Donna Barkley know you are coming by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com  GPS address: None, but clear signage on HWY 91 and just before Camp Ahistadi, which has GPA address of 9863 TN-91, Laurel Bloomery, TN 37680 

Attached photos show hikers at Bays Mtn. Friday, Feb. 27 and more club hikers at Cherry Tree Shelter Saturday, Feb. 28.

POSTPONED. MRATC MEETING: originally scheduled for Monday, March 2, 7 p.m. on Zoom.

Host has no internet, so this meeting will be rescheduled for later in March. Date will be announced in an upcoming Sunday email with a new Zoom link.

Topic:  Can we improve member engagement? Do we give new members enough information about the club and its activities? How can we encourage more members to help with activities or take on club tasks and leadership roles?

All members welcome to participate in the discussion – especially newer members! 

Fri., MARCH 6^TH, 3:00 TO 6:30 P.M. -  DROP IN TO CELEBRATE AT THE TRAIL CENTER AS THE ATC TURNS 101.

See poster:

ATC Turns 101 .pdf

Download PDF • 3.42MB

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.