MRATC Activities and Information, Week – Sept. 27 – Oct, 3, 2026
TRAIL WORK:
On Sat Oct 3rd at 9:30am, we'll meet in Grayson Highlands State Park at the Seed Orchard Trailhead, just across from the camp store. We'll hike to Wise shelter and do a combination of lopping, fire ring cleanup and use a crosscut saw to clear a blowdown in the nearby wilderness. Total hike distance should be about 5 miles.
HIKES:
Fri. Oct. 2: AT-Trimpi-Slabtown Loop: A nice 4.7 mile hike in the woods departing from the AT parking (3 cars max) on Teas Road SR670 on the AT to Trimpi Shelter. We will take the Slabtown Trail back. Long pants are suggested due to two areas of tall grass. This hike is mostly shaded with a brief hike through an open cattle pasture. For a slightly shorter option, Teas Road to Trimpi Shelter and back is 4.2 miles.
Bring water, lunch, poles and rain gear. Hike leader is Carol Keene.
Meet up locations are Abingdon Lowe's@9AM, Teas Road AT Parking (limited to 3 cars) @9:40.
RSVP:
MAP MEETING AND EVENT SUPPORTING A.T. PARKING LOT IMPROVEMENTS:
Friday October 2, Meet at the Blue Ridge Discovery Center at 9 a.m. to look at maps and talk about long term plan to move Thomas Knob Shelter, campsites, and fencing to protect high country natural resources. Interested club members welcome.
Then at 11 am, meet at the Elk Garden parking lot to celebrate completed and planned improvements to AT parking lots, funded through a VDOT grant. Club members encouraged to attend and show appreciation!
Michelle Earl is the Communications Manager with VDOT's Bristol District. The Elk Garden project is one of 5 projects that received funding through a FLAP grant (FLAP = Federal Land Access Program), all of which improve access to the National Forest. Fox Creek (not yet built) is the only other A.T. parking lot on that list, but really 4 out of 5 of these projects are relevant to us. Improvements to the Lewis Fork trailhead (completed already) and Scales access (coming next year) will also be beneficial for the Trail.
The Bristol District was thinking that, since the Elk Garden construction wrapped up just in time to accommodate visitors flocking to the high country to view some autumn splendor, this would be a great location and timing to celebrate all 5 projects. This is not exactly a ribbon-cutting (it's already open) or an overly formal affair, just a celebration and an invitation to the press to come see the new parking lot.
Afterward, perhaps the club could join with the group in a celebratory hike for those who are interested.
HUNTING SEASON COMING UP: (WEAR BLAZE ORANGE ON THE TRAILS)
Deer archery: 10/3 to 11/13 and 12/13 – 1/2/27
Muzzleloader: 10/31-11/13; 12/12 – 1/2/27
Rifle: 11/14 to 11/28
More information: https://dwr.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/
FALL NATURALIST RALLY COMING SOON! OCT. 16-18
For registration and information on field trips, visit:
ATC REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP MEETING, SAT. OCT. 24
The RPC Fall 2026 Meeting will be held on October 24, 2026, at the Henderson School of Appalachian Arts in Marion, Virginia from 9 - 5PM.
While a Zoom option will be available, we encourage participants to join us onsite if possible. Regardless of how you plan to attend, please register using the link below:
This is local. Club members are invited. It’s a good opportunity to meet members of other Virginia trail clubs and talk about trail topics we all share.
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