Mt Rogers/Grayson Hike - will this work

[rpenczek]

I have planned a trip for a group of Boys scouts (8 boys 4 adults). Our plan is as follows:

Leave one car at Hurrican Campground, one car at Fox Creek and the final car in Damascus.

Our plan is as follows:

Sunday Hurricane Campground to Fox Creek (camp near trail head, get water stored in the auto) - 6.9 miles

Monday Fox Creek to Campsites just before we enter Grayson - 7.3 miles

Tuesday Grayson North border to Whitetop Mt Road - 12.1 miles

Wednesday Whitetomp Mt. Road to just before Beartree Gap Trail - 9.6 miles

Thursday Just before Beartree Gap Trail to US 58 Straight Branch Feather camp Branch - 6.1 miles (shuttle to Damascus, have big lunch and gather up two cars left at trail heads).

A few questions about this trek.

Is leaving cars at Hurricane and Fox Creek safe?

Are the uphills into Fox Creek and Grayson as bad as they look on the map profile? (we are flat landers from IN)

My camp site selections are based on info from the on-line companion, do these make sense? I would like to reduce our 12 mile day to about 10, are there any tent sites (and water) at/near Elk Garden?

It appears that there is no water at Fox Creek, so that is why we have a car there, is this correct?

Thanks for your input.

[Phreak]

Egads and I hiked Fox Creek trailhead to Damascus this weekend. There are no strenuous climbs in this section. Some of the climbs are a little long but that's due to the gradual switchbacks.

Water is everywhere... I carried 1 liter or less.

I can't comment on the the safety of the trail heads, hopefully LW will offer his 2 cents.

[Lone Wolf]

there's lots of water at Fox Creek.
there is camping just in the woods at the Elk Garden parking area. there is a spring a few hundred yards past the campsite up the trail.
there are no tough climbs in this whole section

[Creek Dancer]

Fox Creek may or may not be safe for leaving a car overnight. A friend of mine had hers stolen from there a year ago.

[Kerosene]

I've repeated heard stories, as well as comments from a local when I left my sports car there to quickly hang a food cache, that the Fox Creek trailhead is not a safe place to leave a vehicle.

If the weather is nice on your 12-mile day then it might be a very long day as the hikers stop to take pictures, enjoy the ponies, and bask in the sun.

You might also consider taking the Virginia Creeper Trail south from its northern intersection (http://www.vacreepertrail.com/trailMaps/DamWhitetop.pdf) with the AT to its next road crossing for pick-up if you'd like a nice change of scenery.

[rpenczek]

OK, since there is water available at Fox Creek, we will not leave a car there. Also, based on feedback, we will camp just South of Elk Garden, making our 12 mile day a bit shorter, but making the next day a bit longer, but that day (Elk Garden to Beartree Gap Trail) will be nearly all down hill.

One last question, is it safe to leave a car up at Hurricane Camp Ground?

Thanks to all for you feedback on this planned route, I am sure my boys are going to find this a great adventure.

[Lone Wolf]

One last question, is it safe to leave a car up at Hurricane Camp Ground?


i've never heard of any thefts or vandalism there so it's probably safe. call the campground @ 276-783-5196 or 800-628-7202

[wilconow]

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.786991/


Vehicle thefts in the Mt. Rogers area - According to the Mt. Rogers NRA, 100 vehicle thefts have been reported in the area since 1999. Authorities believe a highly organized ring of theives is responsible, targeting mostly 4WD trucks and SUVs. Frequently targeted A.T. parking areas include US 58 at Straight Branch, VA 600 at Elk Garden, and VA 603 at Fox Creek. Hikers should use caution when leaving vehicles at any local trailhead; suggestions for vehicle security can be found on Getting to the Trail. Safer hiker parking is available at some locations in Damascus, as well as the Mt. Rogers NRA Headquarters (when construction work is completed - see update below). (Posted 07/12/07)

[Lost My Mind]

My son is heading NOBO, and I plan to meet him the end of April. I'll have a couple of weeks, and wanted to hike this same area. We won't have two cars available, so I'm wondering is there is any suttle service in the area?

[Midway Sam]

My son is heading NOBO, and I plan to meet him the end of April. I'll have a couple of weeks, and wanted to hike this same area. We won't have two cars available, so I'm wondering is there is any suttle service in the area?

Yes... Lone Wolf (when in town) and Mount Rogers Outfitters both provide shuttles.