3 day trip through Grayson highlands

[smoovoperator]

So, I am looking to do a section that takes my wife and I through Grayson highlands. We can probably get 10-15 miles in a day. Which section would make the most sense logistically? Should we go north, or south bound? Where to park my car, and which Shuttle to use. Is there a good section to do where I can park my car in damascus, and hike back to it, or is there a better option? Thanks in advance! We are wanting to do this somewhere between June 20th-27th. Oh, and I was just advised to ask if the ponies will still be there then. Haha!

[Lone Wolf]

park your car in damascus and get a shuttle to fox creek/va. 603. it's a 40 mile walk back to damascus. i do shuttles too

[smoovoperator]

outstanding. That was pretty quick! Are the shelters and campsites spaced out reasonably along that stretch?

[Lone Wolf]

outstanding. That was pretty quick! Are the shelters and campsites spaced out reasonably along that stretch?

yes. they are

[smoovoperator]

Alrighty then. How far in advance do you need a call to schedule a shuttle?

[Lone Wolf]

a week or so.

[scrabbler]

If you just want to experience the area, there's no need for a shuttle. You can park in the Grayson Highlands backpacker lot, and do all sorts of loops of various mileages as well. The Nat Geo map of the area is pretty good.

[MuddyWaters]

park your car in damascus and get a shuttle to fox creek/va. 603. it's a 40 mile walk back to damascus. i do shuttles too

++

I would only add to target mid week, non holiday if possible . This is a very popular place with car access and proximity to relatively large # people. Pretty common to see several large groups from schools,etc.

If you dont use LW, you can call Mt Rogers outfitters, they arrange shuttles and you can park across street from them.

[smoovoperator]

Thanks for the advice, I will look into possible loops. I hadn't really thought of that option to be honest! It doesn't have to be all on the AT, I just have been told those are some good points of interest.

[The Cleaner]

If you hike 10-15 miles a day,you'll go right through the best part.Park in the backpacker's parking lot in Grayson Highlands SP and do one of several loop trails there and take your time.

[doingtime]

I'm going to do the same thing sometime in June. I'm parking at Grindstone and making a loop using the Mt Rogers trail and the AT. Planning on 3 nights.

Grindstone has a dedicated backpackers parking lot with a small daily fee. Well worth it for the security.

[Gambit McCrae]

Only because you highlighted the Grayson Highlands, I would suggest 2 options
1-Park at Elk Garden/ or Fox Creek and go to the other one mentioned and then hike back. This out and back will let you see the park twice, possible by different trails, and will save you a $90 shuttle cost.

2- I saw the park doing Elk Garden to Teas RD over a weekend. One of the best spots on the trail

[saltysack]

park your car in damascus and get a shuttle to fox creek/va. 603. it's a 40 mile walk back to damascus. i do shuttles too

My favorite AT section.......a must do. Easy shuttle via LW or MRO.
As you can see there are plenty of shelters in that section...

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160516/395c6e8a4ccc95ca996e43102b227340.jpg

[smoovoperator]

Outstanding information! I have a map coming to me, to get a better look at the liops, and sections everyone has mentioned. I want to make it a good one for my wife, so she will keep coming. Only problem is, it will be hard to beat the highlands as I have been told.

[Secondmouse]

My favorite AT section.......a must do. Easy shuttle via LW or MRO.
As you can see there are plenty of shelters in that section...

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160516/395c6e8a4ccc95ca996e43102b227340.jpg

what program is this?..

[saltysack]

what program is this?..

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160516/ea8b523e86b87542c14f33b26afc456a.jpg

[smoovoperator]

I am leaning more towards a loop, or the put and back That was mentioned, but am not opposed to a section as well. I have figured out the section I would do, but am having more trouble with the put and back, or a 3 day loio. I have a nat geo illustrated map, but it doesn't really show mileage, or campsites very well. Has anyone done a 3 day loop here, and can tell me where they stayed each night?

[saltysack]

I am leaning more towards a loop, or the put and back That was mentioned, but am not opposed to a section as well. I have figured out the section I would do, but am having more trouble with the put and back, or a 3 day loio. I have a nat geo illustrated map, but it doesn't really show mileage, or campsites very well. Has anyone done a 3 day loop here, and can tell me where they stayed each night?

Wing it....plenty of camp spots if your not wanting to stay in the rat boxes...

[doingtime]

This is the loop I'm going to do next week. It's about 21 miles and covers Mt. Rogers trail and the AT through Grayson Highlands. Parking at Grindstone so no shuttle required.

It's a 3 day, 2 night trip but I'm going to do it in 2 days.

http://files.meetup.com/751131/Mount%20Rogers%20Map%20with%20our%20Route.JPG

[smoovoperator]

Thanks for the map, and info. I don't really like to stay in the shelters much, but don't mind renting at them.

[smoovoperator]

What map are you using for that anyhow?

[Long Beard]

My wife and I just did the loop that Doingtime mentioned. We parked at Grindstone campground. Great hike ,we did it as a 2 night trip. Hit the trail at 4 pm on first day and were off by noon on third day. Go to Hiking Upward site and search Wilburn Ridge / Mt. Rogers hike to get a detailed map and directions. Have fun!

[Long Beard]

I forgot to mention that the National Geographic map of Mt. Rogers is definately worth taking with you .

[mattjv89]

If you take the national geographic map I would go with #318, Mt. Rogers high country for this section vs. the map of the entire Mt. Rogers NRA. The high country map is on a 35,000 scale, twice as large as the NRA map and much easier to read. If you're just going between the highlands and Damascus, the high country map will show everything you need with much less squinting involved.


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[smoovoperator]

I ment to say tenting, not renting

[doingtime]

http://files.meetup.com/751131/Mount%20Rogers%20Map%20with%20our%20Route.JPG

Here's the link. I just happened across it on the interweb.

I agree about the shelters. I'm not planning on staying in them either. we're taking a tent and a hammock and will find our own campsites.

I have the Nat Geo map as well and also recommend it.

[smoovoperator]

Doingtime, do you know the mileage on this too each day? Sorry for all the questions, I can't really see a scale on the map.

[Long Beard]

Smoovoperator, A few posts back I posted the hike my wife and I did this past weekend ,our milage was as follows
1st day 4.1 mi.
2nd day 10.5 mi.
3rd day 6.2 mi.
This is the Wilburn Ridge/Mt. Rogers hike that can be found in detail on Hikingupward.com
This milage gave you plenty of time to take in the sights and have time to settle in each night, especially if you have driving time on the first and last day.

[smoovoperator]

thanks long beard, that sounds pefect! I don't want it to be like when I do section hikes, hike fast all day, get into camp at sunset, wake up, repeat. I think she would enjoy the more slow pace.I will check out hikingupward when I get home. Thanks for the info, it is good to have options for sure. I do like the previous loop mentioned, but will check out this one as well.

[doingtime]

Doingtime, do you know the mileage on this too each day? Sorry for all the questions, I can't really see a scale on the map.

The full loop is supposed to be around 25 miles. Cut through using the Crest Trail and you can cut it to 21 miles and that can be down in 2 days/1 night.

[Secondmouse]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160516/ea8b523e86b87542c14f33b26afc456a.jpg


this is Guthook's? when I googled Thru-Hiker's Companion I found the ALDHA website. that brought up http://www.sierraattitude.com/athikerapp/ and that takes me to Guthook.

what am I missing?..

[saltysack]

Not sure it's been few years..was a freebe for joining aldha...http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160525/5ec9db273d73d5012164eaf5f467132b.jpg


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[Secondmouse]

Not sure it's been few years..was a freebe for joining aldha...http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160525/5ec9db273d73d5012164eaf5f467132b.jpg


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yes. exactly where I went to. but the link I posted above takes you directly to Guthook's Giude.

is this guthook's guide?..

[saltysack]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160525/e8b9ff19e37f60ee1e8528b27ceb30d5.jpg


Join aldha...still a freebeeee


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[Secondmouse]

http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160525/e8b9ff19e37f60ee1e8528b27ceb30d5.jpg


Join aldha...still a freebeeee


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got it. muchas gracias...

[saltysack]

No problem...its been very handy to have....


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[smoovoperator]

Very nice! Thank you.