View Full Version : Where do I go to see the ponies??
Sierra Echo
09-15-2010, 16:25
Everyone keeps posting a lot of pictures of the Grayson Highland ponies, but no directions too them. I looked up Grayson Highlands and the State Park info came up, but it doesn't mention them either. Can anyone tell me where to go look? I have a long weekend up coming up for Columbus day and I need a good idea for my birthday trip.
My birthday this year will be 10/10/10!!! cool, huh?
I've encountered multiple herds every time I've hiked the Crest or Pine Mountain Trails. They're both good bets. There were ponies all around Thomas Knob Shelter last time I was there.
Just get to the Highlands and walk some miles. You'll see ponies.
Bearpaw is right, there is no one place to find them, although they are in fenced areas because you have to enter stiles to get into parts of the state park and forest. A good idea is to ask the ranger at the check in station as you enter Grayson Highlands State Park. Have fun and take lots of pics.
i saw them from Massey Gap all the way to Thomas Knob shelter and beyond
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_od3jPZ0y4zk/SjGwUHPz6FI/AAAAAAAACmE/J0lFHkdYlaE/s800/P1020300.jpg
Skidsteer
09-15-2010, 16:48
Here are directions from Damascus to the Scales. You need a vehicle with decent clearance but you can either camp at the Scales or use it as a jumping off point for any number of backpacking options.
You'll see ponies up there. Most mornings, they take laps around the fence. It's a good way to wake up.
Pedaling Fool
09-15-2010, 16:48
Just go to Springer mountain and walk north
Sierra Echo
09-15-2010, 16:51
Thanks for the info guys!
You are very funny, John Gault! :D
Thanks for the info guys!
You are very funny, John Gault! :D
:eek:...i just checked...i'm not a guy
Mongoose2
09-15-2010, 17:12
:eek:...i just checked...i'm not a guy
With a name like JERMM, I would hope not!
Sierra Echo
09-15-2010, 19:03
:eek:...i just checked...i'm not a guy
Sorry! I call every one guys!
Thanks for the tip, chickie!
earlyriser26
09-15-2010, 19:24
They will normally fine you. People must feed these guys, because both times I've hiked this area they were worse than a thru hiker yoging for food.
They will normally fine you. People must feed these guys, because both times I've hiked this area they were worse than a thru hiker yoging for food.
if you're not careful they'll try to get at the snacks and other food you have stored inside your pack. i've heard more than one hiker say the ponies eat holes in their packs.
Sorry! I call every one guys!
Thanks for the tip, chickie!
no prob................
Sierra Echo
09-15-2010, 19:40
They will normally fine you. People must feed these guys, because both times I've hiked this area they were worse than a thru hiker yoging for food.
What do you think they like to eat? Maybe saltines and carrots? I will take them a lunch!
johnnybgood
09-15-2010, 20:01
What do you think they like to eat? Maybe saltines and carrots? I will take them a lunch!
They like Cuban cigars .
Tuckahoe
09-15-2010, 20:26
Don't feed the ponies.
bigcranky
09-15-2010, 21:44
Don't feed the ponies, seriously. They get really annoying and pushy, and it's hard to keep a 400 pound horse from getting anything he wants.
If you stand near a herd of ponies and open a zipper or some Velcro, they will start running toward you.
On my last trip to Grayson Highlands we camped near Rhododendron Gardens. A baby pony followed us from the trail junction to our camp. She spent most of the night hanging around my tent. When I got up just before dawn she had bedded down in the grass about 15' from my tent. It was so misty that none of my photos turned out well, unfortunately, but it was a wonderful experience. What was really funny was that we had a couple of dogs with us, leashed of course. My dog almost never barks anyway, but Liteshoe's dog was going crazy because of the ponies. The barking kept Liteshoe up just about all night. The barking didn't seem to bother the ponies though.
bigcranky
09-16-2010, 07:43
Camped on Wilburn Ridge earlier in the month, woke up to this view:
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/2/6/6/20100828hike0694_web_thumb.jpg (http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=42692&c=member&imageuser=266)
Rain Man
09-16-2010, 10:21
My wife and I stayed at Thomas Knob Shelter, June '09 I think, and had at least two dozen visit us there the next morning.
We saw another couple dozen up the trail, I think less than a mile away. along the trail, plus others scattered here and there all the way through the state park. Pics in my WB gallery.
Rain:sunMan
.
Pedaling Fool
09-16-2010, 10:29
We had a mini-stampede come thru our camp one evening, probably about 6-10 ponies. We heard them galloping towards us and everybody just got in-the-ready to run if needed. Not needed, but they came real close to my tent and broke a guy-line on someone's hammock. Kind of made me nervous sleeping that night. Not sure what made them run, this was in the evening and almost dark.
Just stop to cook at Thomas Knob, and you will see ponies. I had a heck of a time keeping them out of all of my gear and food.
Big Dawg
09-16-2010, 18:48
:eek:...i just checked...i'm not a guy
sure you are,,,,, a 21st century "guy" :D
Sierra Echo
09-16-2010, 20:31
We had a mini-stampede come thru our camp one evening, probably about 6-10 ponies. We heard them galloping towards us and everybody just got in-the-ready to run if needed. Not needed, but they came real close to my tent and broke a guy-line on someone's hammock. Kind of made me nervous sleeping that night. Not sure what made them run, this was in the evening and almost dark.
That makes me think of the movie, City Slickers. Did anyone start grinding coffee? :p
Gray Blazer
09-16-2010, 20:39
The ponies are cute! Quick funny anecdote. I had been hiking for a few days in the summer without showering. I was walking in the Grayson area and I passed a little girl who was slightly ahead of her family. Right after I passed her she turned around and called back to her family, "Mom, Dad! I smell some more ponies!" :o
Wise Old Owl
09-18-2010, 23:12
i saw them from Massey Gap all the way to Thomas Knob shelter and beyond
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_od3jPZ0y4zk/SjGwUHPz6FI/AAAAAAAACmE/J0lFHkdYlaE/s800/P1020300.jpg
wow - that could be a good tag at the top of a web page.
Good Advice: don't feed them, they can colic and die if they eat the wrong thing, it happens easier than you might think..... Just look at them and enjoy :)
I was up for a 3 day hike around the park and it was great. I had been out a week by then and must have smelled really bad because this is as close as the ponies would come. :-?
Wilburn area and Pine Mtn are areas where there are ponies, also around Scales.
Please don't feed them.
Happy Trails
Pedaling Fool
09-19-2010, 08:53
Good Advice: don't feed them, they can colic and die if they eat the wrong thing, it happens easier than you might think..... Just look at them and enjoy :)
Good point, makes me wonder if anyone has ever seen a dead bigfoot...I mean pony?:)
bigcranky
09-19-2010, 09:26
Good point, makes me wonder if anyone has ever seen a dead bigfoot...I mean pony?:)
Yes, twice, both in the Mt Rogers area.
My birthday this year will be 10/10/10!!! cool, huh?
10/10/10
That's cool but you got a 5.9 from the Russian Judge. Must have been the dismount. :D
Pedaling Fool
09-19-2010, 10:13
Yes, twice, both in the Mt Rogers area.
That must be an ugly site. I saw a dead cow once that had been baking in the sun for a few days. That's a lot of meat and guts to be around when rotting.
i hear when deep fried the little one are mighty tasty
Sierra Echo
09-19-2010, 14:22
10/10/10
That's cool but you got a 5.9 from the Russian Judge. Must have been the dismount. :D
Russian Judges are hard to impress indeed! :D