MRATC Activities and Information, Week of Oct. 20–26, 2024

MRATC TRAIL WORK and hurricane cleanup:

The MRNRA has submitted a request that we be allowed to do trail work from Elk Garden NORTH to the northern end of our section. As soon as it is signed by the Forest Supervisor (which should be early this week), we can start assessing and clearing that part of our section. (Elk Garden south to the VA/TN line will remain closed for a longer period of time.)

Sat. Oct. 26: Special work project (not trail clearing). Meet at Fox Creek AT pkg. lot on Rte. 603 at 9 a.m. There won’t be tricks (except for the possibility of wet feet – so prepare for that. You might even want to bring waders, if you have them.) There might be treats, so it’s important to email mratcinfo@gmail.com by 7 a.m. Friday morning if you are coming, so we have a count and time to pick up what we need. (If anyone wants to bring cookies, they would be welcome, too.)

If you want to stop by in the middle of the day and say “Hello” and see if there are any treats – and not come early for the project, that is OK, too. Just email mratcinfo@gmail.com by early in the day Friday and say you will be coming at mid-day.

Possible other trail work this week: If we hear from the MRNRA early this week that we have the go-ahead to work on the trail North of Elk Garden, we might schedule Wednesday as the first day to assess, record and photograph blowdowns and tread damage and fill in an information sheet so we can make a work plan. This will be continued next week. If interested in being notified of days for hurricane damage assessment hikes, email mratcinfo@gmail.com.

The ATC website is updated daily and lists closed sections of the AT by AT mile and provides links to the relevant national forest websites: https://appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates/ga-va-tropical-storm-helene/

An important reason why volunteers are not allowed to perform trail work on areas of national forest that are officially closed is that our Volunteer Agreement with the USFS does not cover us for liability while working in closed areas.

GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK AND HUNGRY MOTHER STATE PARK ARE OPEN.

THE CHEROKEE NATIONAL FOREST IN TN HAS REOPENED, with a few exceptions. Keep up to date by checking: https://appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates/ga-va-tropical-storm-helene/ There could be numerous blowdowns, however.

THE VIRGINIA CREEPER TRAIL IS OPEN BETWEEN ABINGDON AND DAMASCUS. The part of the trail on USFS land east of Damascus is still closed and will remain so for a long time. Many VCT trestles were damaged in the hurricane.

MRATC HIKES:

If hiking on the northern part of MRATC’s trail section (Elk Garden to Teas Rd.), once the closure order for that part has been lifted, be mindful that there will be blowdown pile-ups and root-ball holes and be careful! (Avoid hiking on the AT and IMT anywhere between Elk Garden south to the TN/VA line, since that will remain under a closure order for some time.) And be aware that sections of some roads are still blocked off.

The Friday hiking group is holding small group hikes every Friday, as current trail conditions permit – hikes may not be on the AT for a while until the trail can be cleared. Contact Judith for information: judithannfoster@gmail.com; 276-623-2408.

UPCOMING SERVICE PROJECT – stream and streambank litter cleanup OCT. 27 from 2-4 at the Muster Grounds:

This is organized every year by Carol Doss of Upper Tennessee River

Roundtable and supported by Sustain Abingdon. Free pizza and t-shirts (FCFS) when the event is over, so bring friends and family :-] See attached poster.

FALL ARCHERY, MUZZLELOADER AND RIFLE SEASONS - times to wear blaze orange in the woods, when we can get out there: In general, archery season started Oct. 5th, muzzleloader starts Nov. 2, and deer rifle season is Nov. 16-30. For specifics, visit: https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/

LEAVE NO TRACE SPOTLIGHT EVENT:

The Leave No Trace education Spotlight event scheduled for Friday, Nov. 8, from 9-12, at the MRNRA Visitor Center has been canceled due to the need to concentrate on hurricane damage cleanup on the trails this fall.

VISITOR USE MANAGEMENT meetings between the club, the MRNRA and the ATC have been canceled for the remainder of 2024 for the same reason.