MRATC Activities and Information, Week of March 22– 28, 2026
- mratcboard
- Mar 29
- 3 min read
MRATC “annual renewing” members who haven’t renewed for 2026, please note:
Some of you haven’t responded to Sharon’s two reminders between December and March that your dues for 2026 are due.
It’s possible that the reminders went to “Spam,” since they were sent from the “membership” email address (mratcmemb@gmail.com) rather than a personal email address.
Please check your Spam. We drop non-renewing members in early April each year, so this might be your last Sunday email telling you about club activities.
MRATC TRAIL WORK:
The next group trail work will be April 8th. Details in next week’s Sunday email.
Attached photos show members of the club and BackCountry Horsemen working on Bobby’s Trail off the AT north of Dickey Gap, 3/22/2026. This trail clearing project was organized by the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards.
The KONNAROCK TRAIL CREW’s schedule for this year can be found at the link below. If you are interested in joining the crew for a week or a couple of days, expand the listed schedule dates to get information about the location and type of work for each week.
MRATC HIKES:
April 3, Friday: Hikers, plan for an approx. 6 mile hike to observe the spring wildflowers at Laurel Run Park Road, Church Hill, TN. If you want a shorter walk to admire the flowers and take pictures, please come out and join us. Park office number is 423.293.8140.
The beginning of the hike may have a little mud, so please wear appropriate footwear. Bring lunch/snacks and suitable rain gear if needed.
Please meet at the Abingdon Lowes at Exit 19 to carpool at 9AM. Remember to park on the far side near the construction pick up lot due to the spring activities blocking our usual parking area.
If you plan to meet at the parking area at Laurel Run Park, at 10AM, please let the hike leader, Jan Mather know. jcmath01@gmail.com.
If you plan to meet at Lowe’s to carpool, please let Carol Keene know to expect you. ecmk@aol.com or 276.698.6261
An attached photo shows hikers on the Alleghany access trail to the New River State Park on March 24, led by Carol Broderson.
April 4, Saturday: Spring hike from Beartree Recreation Area to Damascus. We will begin at the Shaw Gap Trail and head south on the Iron Mt Trail, finishing in Damascus. There will be two distance options, 9.2 miles and 6.5 miles. Those interested in the longer distance will meet at the Shaw Gap Trail at 9:00. Those interested in the shorter distance will meet at the Iron Mtn Trail crossing on Forest Service Rd 90 at ~10 to meet up with the early group and continue the hike to Damascus. Cars will be staged in Damascus to shuttle back to retrieve vehicles. Additional details will be communicated to the participants closer to the hike date. Bring water, snacks, and rain gear if weather threatens. Let hike leader Heidi Dixon-White know if you plan to come by emailing mtrogersatc@gmail.com. Note: This hike includes part of the AT reroute imposed due to work on the Creeper Trail.
MRATC Meeting Mon. eve. March 30, 7 p.m. Zoom only. (Rescheduled from March 2nd.)
Topic: Member engagement and Leadership succession. Are we informing and involving our new members sufficiently in club activities? Are our club leaders offering opportunities for others to take roles in club tasks and projects? Are there ways we can improve? Come with your comments and ideas.
UPCOMING SOON: SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, April 11th: Our club will hold our Annual Meeting and potluck at Smyth Chapel (30119 Smyth Chapel Rd., Meadowview, VA 24361). Bring a dish to share and serving utensils. The club will furnish paper plates, cups, eating utensils and coffee and tea. Dinner will be at 5, followed by annual elections and volunteer awards and two speakers: Dennis Sanders of VDOT and Jake Smith of the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (USFS). Bring your questions about Creeper Trail reconstruction and the expansion of trailhead parking lots at Elk Garden and near Fox Creek.
All welcome!
We need two club members to arrive at 4:15 to set up tables and chairs and make coffee as well as two club members to stay after the meeting ends to clean up, put away tables and chairs and take trash bags to Anne’s car. Reply to this email if you can help at either time.
HAVE YOU CHECKED ON THE PROGRESS OF THE RECONSTRUCTION OF THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL LATELY? Follow this link.
UPCOMING: SPRING NATURALIST RALLY. Field trips have been announced.
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