Does anyone have a current water report for the Thomas Knob and Wise shelters in the Grayson Highland VA area?
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Does anyone have a current water report for the Thomas Knob and Wise shelters in the Grayson Highland VA area?
The closest town to that area is Whitetop VA. Try doing a temerature check for that or for Mt Rogers Wilderness Area. I was at both of these shelters during spring break when the day time temps were about 45-50 and in the low 30s at night. Thomas Knob is high up there elevation wise but the shelter is well constructed and is behind a big rock so its warmer than you would think.
In general, the rule of thumb is to subtract 3 degrees for every 1000 feet of elevation gain, though I usually find that it is about 5. So find the Whitetop forecast and subtract about 15-25 degrees for elevation.
I dont think the OP asked about temps or weather but what is the water levels of the springs and creeks
I was there a couple of weeks ago. There is a swift flowing creek within two hundred yards of the Wise Shelter and the water is available year-round. The spring at Thomas Knob would fill a liter in about 25 seconds. A roof gutter has been placed at the spring and the gutter is about a foot of the ground to make for an easy fill of various water containers.
Whups. Sorry for misreading your post. Water is available at both shelters but be careful to filter/treat your water, especially at Thomas Knob due to all the ponies up there and consider walking north a bit from Wise Shelter to the stream rather then following the marked path to water. When I was there a few months ago, the watering hole was just that, a filthy hole with crayfish or something swimming around. So head my advise and follow that rushing sound to the north and grab your water there.
Kicking this thread back up to see if the springs in this area are still in good shape. Heading there in a few days. Thanks!