View Full Version : Video: Grayson Highlands - Land of open balds, blue ridges and feral ponies
https://youtu.be/o0E1uHO-gxc
I recently took my cousin on her first ever backpacking trip out to the Grayson Highlands and Mt Rogers National Recreation Area of Virginia. We covered ~21 miles using the AT along with some connector trails and spent 2 nights exploring this incredible hiking destination. Ponies were everywhere and provided the perfect cherry on top of a beautiful section - enjoy watching!
Had a bunch of ponies thunder through the edge of camp in Mt. Rogers NRA(we were technically outside Grayson Highlands SP), and a group of them took over the spot where my shelter had been as soon as I packed up in the morning. They really do add to the experience!
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Tipi Walter
11-13-2020, 17:16
Thanks for the vid. One of my favorite places to backpack and camp.
I did early trips there in the 1980s---no pics of course---and then returned in 1997 for a trip---
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My friend on top of Wilburn Ridge in '97.
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Me on Quebec Creek in '97 with my old North Face pack.
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A neat view of Wilburn Ridge from a trip in 2012.
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Back in '97 this pony bit me on the right butt cheek cuz he wanted my red apple---at Wise Shelter on AT.
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Wilburn Ridge---I call this Grandmother Gap and right past this peak is Rhododendron Gap.
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In the Little Wilson wilderness.
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Sadly, horseback riders ruin many of the area trails by leaving piles of poop and by churning up the trails into giant mud holes. This pic was taken on Lewis Fork trail.
...and right past this peak is Rhododendron Gap.
Which, as I discovered last week, is for some reason impossible for me to say 3 times in quick succession.
Rhododendron Gap.
Rhododengine Gap.
Rhododendron Grap...crap!
Thanks for sharing those pics guys! Enjoyed getting to see y’all’s experiences in this beautiful area.
The horseback riders are still tearing up trail these days unfortunately. A section of the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness is signed off due to deep mud.
Tipi Walter
11-15-2020, 09:47
Thanks for sharing those pics guys! Enjoyed getting to see y’all’s experiences in this beautiful area.
The horseback riders are still tearing up trail these days unfortunately. A section of the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness is signed off due to deep mud.
I remember that section---a naturally wet swamp section anyway and horseback riders made it look like a four-wheeler jeep playground.
The Solemates
11-16-2020, 20:24
Hiked along Wilburn ridge last weekend. Always good to go back home!
I remember that section---a naturally wet swamp section anyway and horseback riders made it look like a four-wheeler jeep playground.
I made it out to Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock for the first time earlier this year, you may enjoy our video from that trip as well. Although I've been told that it isn't a true JK-S adventure unless one sees Tipi on trail hauling a massive pack.
https://youtu.be/ey1IKDnhk3o
Hiked along Wilburn ridge last weekend. Always good to go back home!
Incredible land for sure! One of the places that every backpacker/hiker should experience.
I enjoyed both your videos.,,Slip rock seemed more challenging
I enjoyed both your videos.,,Slip rock seemed more challenging
Thanks hobbs. You're right on there. Slickrock is a challenging place.
Tipi Walter
02-24-2021, 23:22
Just watched your Slickrock vid and recognized so many places.
2:00 South Lead's Cave.
2:40 Favorite reststop on ridge finger.
4:05 Hangover Mt clearcut which happened in 2007.
7:00 I call this ridge Seven Mile Ridge (from Beech Gap to Hangover).
9:24 I remember this blowdown on Naked Ground Trail.
9:48 Low Dog Camps on Little Santee Creek.
11:05 Blues Brothers.
12:00 My old dog's blowdown log in Low Dog Camp.
16:14 On Stratton Ridge trail looking out towards Cherohala Skyway (loud motorcycles!!).
16:32 Famous Butt Rock on ridge between Naked Ground and Bob Bald.
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4:05 This is where you camped on Hangover Mt---in the Clearcut as it looked in 2007.
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12:00 My dog sitting in the blowdown log you guys are sitting at.
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16:32 Butt Rock where you guys are hanging out---where Stratton Ridge trail meets Seven Mile Ridge.
Just watched your Slickrock vid and recognized so many places.
2:00 South Lead's Cave.
2:40 Favorite reststop on ridge finger.
4:05 Hangover Mt clearcut which happened in 2007.
7:00 I call this ridge Seven Mile Ridge (from Beech Gap to Hangover).
9:24 I remember this blowdown on Naked Ground Trail.
9:48 Low Dog Camps on Little Santee Creek.
11:05 Blues Brothers.
12:00 My old dog's blowdown log in Low Dog Camp.
16:14 On Stratton Ridge trail looking out towards Cherohala Skyway (loud motorcycles!!).
16:32 Famous Butt Rock on ridge between Naked Ground and Bob Bald.
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4:05 This is where you camped on Hangover Mt---in the Clearcut as it looked in 2007.
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12:00 My dog sitting in the blowdown log you guys are sitting at.
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16:32 Butt Rock where you guys are hanging out---where Stratton Ridge trail meets Seven Mile Ridge.
Thanks for taking the time to share all this info Tipi - good stuff. I rewatched my video paying attention to your time stamps and enjoyed knowing these tidbits about the area.
Was there a specific reason that they clearcut the Hangover area in 2017?