[at-l] Grayson Hike - Help

[Ken Bennett]

Hi, Herb,

You are running into the main problem with the High Country -- it isn't very
big! You can do the whole loop as an overnight, which makes a 4 day loop
more difficult.

I've done the Iron Mtn trail, and there are a couple of ways you could use
it to stetch out a hike. Try this one: Day one (short) to Wilson Creek, then
day two (long) go AT nobo to Hurricane Shelter, which is about a mile or so
past where the AT crosses the Iron Mtn Trail. Day three, backtrack to the
Iron Mtn Trail and turn right (west), hike 4 miles to the Cherry Tree
Shelter, turn left on the spur trail and work your way down to VA 603 and
the trailhead for the Mt Rogers National Scenic Trail (this is the parking
area near Grindstone Campground). Hike up the Mt Rogers NST to Deep Gap,
where you meet the AT again. Hang a left (nobo), and climb around Mt Rogers
to the Thomas Knob Shelter. Then, day four, follow the AT down Wilburn Ridge
and back to the car. Both day one and day four are short. I think this total
loop would be in the 25-27 mile range, but I'd have to look at my maps.

Have fun. October in the high country is wonderful.

--Ken


On 8/17/06, HERB DAVIS <drherb49 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Davis, Herb
> Sent: Wed 8/16/2006 11:14 PM
> To: at-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: Grayson Highlands Hike - Help
>
>
> I'm planning a 4 day 3 night trip in October to Grayson Highlands, my
> favorite hiking place.  I've done the area on the AT from Thomas Knob to
> Wise Shelter up the Scales trail and also the AT route to the Scales.  I
> can
> plan the first day from Massey Gap to Wise or Wilson Creek (short) or
> Orchard (longer) and the last day; Thomas Knob to Massey Gap via AT or
> Crest
> Trail.  The problem is planning the in between days on a circuit trip that
> will take me from Orchard to Iron Mtn Trail Rogers Trail to Thomas Knob or
> Pine Mountain to Cliffside to Thomas, etc.  Has anyone hiked the Iron
> Mountain and the Pine Mtn or even the Highlands Horse Trail that would
> give
> me a nice circuit trip from (1st night),Massey Gap (AT) to Orchard Shelter
> area
> (2nd night) Orchard Shelter area AT to Iron Mtn Trail
> (3rd night) somewhere Mt. Rogers Trail, etc. to Deep Gap to Thomas Knob
> (4th day) Thomas Knob to Massey Gap via Pine Mtn./Crest/AT.  We have hiked
> the Smokies.  We could add a 4th night by leaving Thomas Knob and doing
> the
> Cliffside or Pine Mountain trail back to the AT and then to Massey
> Gap.  We
> have done a lot of the AT in the Smokies including Rocky Top, etc. @ 7-10
> miles/day.  We will be carrying a tent for non-shelter possibilities.  I'm
> unfamiliar with the Iron Mountain, Mt. Rogers and Pine Mountain Trails.
> This is long (sorry) but I would appreciate suggestions on getting a 3-4
> night trip out of this area.  You can also respond to me personally,
> drherb at unc.edu or drherb49 at hotmail.com   Happy Trails.  herb
>
>
>
>


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