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Post by Coolkat on Oct 8, 2019 4:42:55 GMT -8
I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about the Grayson Highlands area. There is a good possibility that I'll be doing a 3 day hike there in a couple of weeks. Since I don't live anywhere close I have no idea what it's like other than a vague description on the state park website.
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Post by tipiwalter on Oct 8, 2019 7:20:03 GMT -8
You can park up top in the Overnight Lot which I think is about $3 per night and $4 on weekends. This lot puts you directly in Grayson Highlands except there's no overnight camping allowed in the Park itself but you're real close to the park boundaries allowing for overnight backpack-camping. From the parking lot you can either go North on to AT down the Rhododendron Spur trail (pic below) or you can pass along Wilburn Ridge and head South on the AT towards Rhododendron Gap and Thomas Knob shelter.
The Spur trail heading north takes you to Wise shelter on the AT.
If it was me I'd park at the Overnight lot and head north along Wilburn Ridge.
Here's a pic not far from the Overnight lot as you head for the rocks of Wilburn Ridge---with the first set of four Ridge rock mountaintops in the distance. You can camp all along the Ridge. I've named these tops---Ma Peak, Pa Peak and Grandmother Peak.
This pic shows Ma Peak and the first of the 3 when coming from the South on the AT.
This pic shows Ma Peak on left and bigger Pa Peak on right. Beyond Pa Peak is Grandmother Peak.
This pic shows Pa Peak with Grandmother Peak to the far right. On the other side of Grandmother is Rhododendron Gap---where the AT turns left and south to Thomas Knob shelter and the Pine Mt trail turns right---and I recommend doing the Pine Mt trail---as there's a spring water source midway along the way. There's also a spring water source near Rhododendron Gap if you know where to look.
And between Rhodo Gap and Thomas Knob shelter there's dozens of campsites I call the Gauntlet---one after the other.
Here's the gap between Pa Peak and Grandmother Peak---with some excellent camping spots. My fave place.
Typical CS in the Gauntlet.
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Post by Coolkat on Oct 9, 2019 5:29:43 GMT -8
tipiwalter, thanks for the info. I'm not in charge of the hike so I'm not sure what route we will be taking but this is the kind of info I was looking for. I appreciate the info. As far as parking goes, apparently there is a new rule out. This is what the website says...
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Post by tipiwalter on Oct 9, 2019 9:12:27 GMT -8
That's typical govt overreach and henpecking hysteria. In that case I'd park on the AT below Old Orchard shelter by Fox Creek (what's the road number? 603?) and climb up on the AT south and either turn right on Pine Mt trail or go down thru Scales and have fun on Stone Mt---with it's great campsites.  Stone Mt ridge by Bear Tooth Rock. |
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Post by k9education on Oct 11, 2019 8:16:20 GMT -8
I'm just wondering if anyone can tell me anything about the Grayson Highlands area. There is a good possibility that I'll be doing a 3 day hike there in a couple of weeks. Since I don't live anywhere close I have no idea what it's like other than a vague description on the state park website.
Be sure to pack enough layers for a significant temperature drop and something with decent wind protection. The wind can get brutal on the ridge and temps can drop below 15F up on the mountain even if it's 50F in the parking lot when you start out. Aside from that, enjoy the hike. It's my favorite place to hike in the entire eastern part of the country. I went every year for 7-8 years, but haven't been able to get there since 2016 due to my ever-growing pack of dog rescues.
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Post by k9education on Oct 11, 2019 14:58:38 GMT -8
I had to share one photo from a past trip. I held my hand out to this pony, not wanting to encroach on her personal space if she wasn't feeling it. She walked right up and nuzzled my face. Enjoy your trip.   upload |
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Post by Coolkat on Oct 13, 2019 11:46:34 GMT -8
Thanks k9education! I'm also wondering about nearby rustic car camping. As it turns out it looks like I might be in the area a day & a half before our hike. I'm just wondering if anyone can recommend any nearby camping spots? I looked to see what it costs at Grayson Highlands and for a non-resident they watn $40/night. Never in my life have I paid that kind of money to go camping. |
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Post by k9education on Oct 13, 2019 21:26:49 GMT -8
Thanks k9education ! I'm also wondering about nearby rustic car camping. As it turns out it looks like I might be in the area a day & a half before our hike. I'm just wondering if anyone can recommend any nearby camping spots? I looked to see what it costs at Grayson Highlands and for a non-resident they watn $40/night. Never in my life have I paid that kind of money to go camping.
I can't really help you with that one. I car camped once in college back in 1998 and have only done backcountry camping ever since. There are some $5/night areas in Mount Rogers NRA, but they're on the other side of it (~1h drive from Grayson).
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Post by Coolkat on Jan 8, 2020 11:38:16 GMT -8
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back here. I did go late last October but it ended up being only a 2 day/1 night hike because of a couple equipment failures. We ended up being socked in with clouds and some fierce winds. But it's now on my list to do again next fall during color and hopefully without so much wind. Grayson Highlands Hike - 2019P.S. If you don't want to take the time to look at the picks take at least some time and watch a couple of videos at the end to see the weather we had to deal with. To be honest... it was kind of fun. |
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Trail Wise!
Posts: 578 
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Post by null on Jan 28, 2020 4:16:14 GMT -8
Never been to Grayson but it looks a bit like Dolly Sods (with horses)
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Post by k9education on Feb 1, 2020 10:20:41 GMT -8
Sorry it has taken me so long to get back here. I did go late last October but it ended up being only a 2 day/1 night hike because of a couple equipment failures. We ended up being socked in with clouds and some fierce winds. But it's now on my list to do again next fall during color and hopefully without so much wind. Grayson Highlands Hike - 2019P.S. If you don't want to take the time to look at the picks take at least some time and watch a couple of videos at the end to see the weather we had to deal with. To be honest... it was kind of fun.
Great pics. Really has me longing for a trip back down there. The winds are often vicious on the ridge and the fog is often heavy in the morning. I love hiking in heavy fog though.  |
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