|
A quick climb up
the Rhododendron Trail found us being met by an
official greeting party of three ponies. From there we headed
NOBO on the AT until Dot-Com found a trail that lead up to the top of a
fantastic
rock outcrop that offered a 360 degree view. (There are
several of these in the Highlands. The difficult part is deciding which
one to have lunch on.) We stayed there for about thirty minutes,
spending a lot of our time observing the rocky peaks of the main
Wilburn Ridge. We would be climbing them tomorrow.
We left the AT at the Apple Orchard Road/Wilson Creek Trail and started
our final leg back to camp. The road with its horse dung was a bit
boring if not down right unattractive at times but the Wilson Creek
Trail was a fantastic way to end the hike. Most of the trail stays in
close proximity to the creek and offers great views of slides,
rapids
and too many
deep
pools to count.
P-Hyker
was quite content to linger at one for a while.
Indiana,
our resident king of water rats tried to stay in but couldn’t and
yielded his crown to Precious. The hike ended after a steep climb up to
the Campground Store. We all returned to our sites, took showers and ate
our dinners. We had some slight showers but they ceased before campfire
time. We met at our site and discussed today’s adventure and the
strategy for the next day.
The plan was to meet at Ted E. Bear’s and The Mad Hatter’s site at 8:30
then hop in Ted’s van for a quick ride to the trailhead but heavy rain
delayed us. For a while it looked as if we were going to have to hunker
down for the day but by 10:00 the rain had stopped and we made the short
drive to the AT Spur Trailhead in an attempt to complete a
12 mile
strenuous loop before more rain moved in. We climbed through alternating meadows
and dark woods reaching the AT in about 0.8 miles. As on the previous
day we were greeted by another party of ponies. We would pass even more
and a colt as we climbed towards the highest parts of the ridge. By this
time there were thickets of
Catawba
Rhododendrons in full bloom everywhere you looked. (I’m still
seeing pink and it’s been three days since I last saw them.) The trail
was pretty rocky during the main ascents but in between the going was
pretty easy. At one point just before our highest elevation for the day
we walked through a natural tunnel. We found another great rock outcrop
to have lunch on. Again we had a 360 degree view. To the north we could
clearly see Thomas Knob with Mount Rogers peaking out behind it. To the
south we could see the Pinnacles that we explored the previous day as
well as our old lunch spot.
After lunch we made an easy connection with the Pine Mountain Trail. For
the next two miles we literally walked through
a tunnel
of Catawba Rhododendron. At times the walls would open up,
offering
vast
views filled with never ending displays of this beautiful
flower. It eventually ended as we connected with the AT and began a
gradual descent to The Scales. Back when the Highlands were used for
cattle grazing the herds would be brought here for shipment. The climb
up the next ridge was totally different from what we’ve been
experiencing so far. Instead of a rocky trail surrounded by huge
boulders, scattered Frazier Fir and fields of Rhodos we found ourselves
walking through
fields of Hay-scented Fern and
what we think is Whorled Loose-strife (a pretty yellow flower). We once
again descended to Wilson Creek but this time we crossed it and the
trail of the same name and climbed back up to the lower Wilburn Ridge.
Once at the top it was a matter of retracing our initial steps on the
spur trail back to our cars.
The weather pretty much fell apart on us shortly after returning to camp
but by that time we had accomplished what we set out to do. Despite the
rain we were still able to get a fire started and huddled under the
picnic canopy for one last time. The next day, we broke camp with wet
gear, said our good-byes and headed back home. This was one of the best
hiking adventures I’ve had to date.
Read
More Adventures Here!
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Latest Outing
Critiques
Name:
Steven Powers
Hike:
Cat
Rock Circuit
Date: 6/27/2009
Rating: 4
Critique: Definitely a great hike... Not Old Rag great... but still
great.
The only critique I have about this is that the first leg of the hike
(Fisherman's Path) is a little vague, hard to find, and not an official
maintained trail.
Better directions would be to simply follow the stream or the road to
the cat rock trail head.
The fisherman's path itself is overgrown in most areas and impossible to
follow.
Another problem I had in following these directions was that the gravel
path that was supposedly near the falls is no longer there. Its all
boardwalk now a days. If you do follow the only existing gravel path you
will end up at the lake... which is not where your supposed to go.
Do watch out for snakes... I saw 3 (1 rattler) within the first 2 miles.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Name:
Jimmy Bair
Hike:
Dolly Sods circumnavigation Mod 1 (sort of)
Date: June 5-7, 2009
Rating: 4
Critique: My 12yo son and I set out to complete this walk the first
weekend after school let out for the summer. Little did I know that the
days leading up to our hike would bring heavy rain to the sods. On
Friday morning we drove up the fire road in driving rain and fog. We
delayed our hike until the afternoon which was only slightly better with
steady mist and visibility of about 20 yards.
As we moved off the fire road we found the trail nearly impassable about
200 yards in. after an hour detour around several run-offs, we came upon
the trail and followed it up the ridge. The trail condition improved and
we rambled on to the intersection of Bear Rocks Trail and Dobbin Glade
Trial.
We took a break since the rain and mist kind of stopped. We could hear
Red Creek off in the distace, but visibility hadn't improved so we
didn't know what lay ahead.
We found Red Creek to be rushing over its banks. The stepping stones
marking the trail lay 3 or 4 feet below the rushing water. After
checking up and down stream with no luck finding a better ford, we
decided to head down Dobbin Grade trail to see what we would find.
Dobbin Grade trail was impassable about a quarter mile from Bear Rocks
Trail.
We decided to head back to Bear Rocks Trail, turn right head up to the
ridge and find a camp. We settled in and sacked out in the fog.
The next morning we awoke to brilliant clear skies and perfect
temperatures. We headed down the trail to find Red creek passable and
set off for Rocky Ridge. the scenery and weather were beautiful. After
lunching at the rocks on the ridge we decided to stay on the ridge for
the evening. We made camp at a very cool campsite below a giant boulder
about five minute walk before the trail takes you over the boulder hop.
We spent the rest of the day exploring the ridge. We hiked down to the
intersection with the Dobbin Grade Trail, then back to the ridge for
dinner.
Sunday morning dawned just as beautifully as Saturday. We took our time
backtracking over the last two days' hike and returned to our car by
1pm.
This is a beautiful hike, and even though the weather thwarted our
attempt at circumnavigation, we had a wonderful time. We will surely be
back.
I found the trail conditions to be just what we expected. One
observation (criticism?) I have is the seemingly lack of forethought to
trail signage. I have no problem with the lack of signs, (We wanted to
go to the NF to practice our navigation) but I don't understand why
areas like the glades going up Raven Ridge Trail where you can easily
identify the trail from a half mile away are heavily signed, but when
going through Spruce groves where you can't easily identify the correct
trails aren't signed at all.
Thanks to Mr. Hyker for the advice and a great website!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Strawman
Hike:
Hogback Mountain/Knob Mountain Loop
Date: 6/27/09
Rating: 4
Critique: Did the 10.3 mile loop version of this hike on a
beautiful June day. The hike was quite nice, with some great
overlook views. Also plenty of wildlife to watch, including a
rattlesnake sunning itself on the Keyser Fire Road, and a black
bear with her two cubs between Elkwallow and Matthews Arm. The
only downside of the trail was its frequent proximity to Skyline
Drive, and the associated noise. Overall a very nice hike that I
would do again.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Brandon
Hike:
Grayson Highlands - 2
Date: 5/29/2009
Rating: 5
Critique: I did this the Friday after Memorial Day. I was
planning on making it a 2-3 day excursion earlier in the week,
but all it did was rain and I really didn't want to deal with
it. So Friday's forecast was non-rainy, so I did this simply as
a dayhike.
I did the route described, except I also hiked out to the top of
Mt. Rogers, and I did this counter-clockwise. So it was 15-16
miles. Thankfully the elevation change was never anything crazy
- I never needed to stop for a break, just for the many many
photo ops.
I'd say the most "boring" area was Little Wilson Creek
Wilderness - just a walk in the woods. Don't shortcut it though,
because north of it is Stone Mountain and the best
landscape/views of the hike.
Sadly the rhododendrons were still prepping when I was there, as
I didn't see any blooms. The ponies didn't disappoint though! On
this day, they were pretty much all around the Wilburn Ridge and
Thomas Knob shelter areas. I'm not sure how many hikes feature
the sounds of a hiker begging a pony to stop chewing on his
tent.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Rob Hike:
Old Rag Mountain
Date: 6-21-09
Rating: 5
Critique: I have lived in Wyoming, Colorado, and Idaho. While
this may not have the solitude of a hike into the southern
entrance of Yellowstone Park, it was one of the best hikes I
ever had east of the Mississippi.
I went by myself and got there at 1pm on a Sunday. This was a
perfect time and I was able to park in the upper lot.
The trail up to the scramble is a consistent incline and very
easy. The rock scramble was awesome and much more impressive in
person than described anywhere I have read.
However, I was not able to complete the circuit and I got rock
jammed at the minor summit. I spent 20 minutes trying to figure
out how to get through a crevice/fissure that was narrow, tight,
and slick on the sides. I tried over and over to put my back
against one side and use my feet to push up against the other
side to no avail. I was so pissed as I wanted to get to the top
badly. I did not run into anyone while struggling so I am not
sure if I was lost or what though the blue blazes were all over
the walls of this thing. So I turned around and went back.
Despite not summiting, I still enjoyed the trek!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Jason Hike:
Rocky Mount
Date: 6/17/09
Rating: 4
Critique: Definetly a strenous day hike but the two major climbs are
spaced out nicely, so you don't get too worn down. Hike to the peak on
Rocky Mount is the most strenous section, but views from the cliffs at
the top are great. If you parked at Two Mile Overlook you can even see
your car from one of the cliffs.
Hike down Rocky Mount into Gap Run is very non descript but the Gap Run
tributary is a nice reward. The tributary is an idyllic oasis after
coming down the rocky slopes of Rocky Mount. Trail was muddy at times in
the Gap Run area and while initial crossing of Gap Run could result in
some wet feet if the water is high, other crossings you can almost jump
over.
Stopped for lunch near Gap Run and had a black bear come up within 25
feet of us. I'm not sure if it noticed us, if it did it cleary was not
interested.
Hiked this on a beautiful Friday and saw one other hiker the whole day,
so expect isolation, as this hike is only for those looking for a hardy
day hike. There are a couple nice camping spots in the Gap Run area so
this would make a nice short backpack as well. One other thing, hike
this is the direction stated on the website. The hike up Rocky Mount the
other way seems brutally steep.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
Name: Dave & Tina Hike:
Cold Mountain Loop
Date: 06-20-09
Rating: 4.5
Critique: This is a great hike. Not too hard not too easy. Great
views. The only thing is the whole accessibility issue. The
roads to get to the trail head are horrible especially if you
have a low car. Must enter/exit from the west end of Wiggins
Springs Road, else you will get stuck or on a dead end!!
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
View All
Critiques |