Grayson Highlands State Park Help

[mmais68569]

headed to Grayson Highlands for a day hike with my 12 yr old grandson & wife so they can see the ponies. A few years ago when I hiked the AT through this section if my memory is correct (getting a lot older senior moments) when you get to the top of Wilber Ridge(north bound). Is there not a trail that heads back to the backpacker parking lot in the park? I thought there was some kind of a trail that stayed up on the ridge.

Thanks Mike ( Mr. Mean)

[Mr. Bumpy]

Your memory is correct. A 1/2 mile trail goes up from the backcountry overnight parking lot. It is marked at both top from the AT and at bottom from parking lot, and it is on the map. Good berry picking along the way if you catch them right. Be aware that the map that the state park gives out is out of scale and the one that I looked at was flat out wrong at a couple of place. The Trails Illustrated map has a good inset and worth to have if you are going to be wandering for more than an hour. Also there are steer and cows up there now. They are very timid.

[mmais68569]

I know about that trail. What I was talking about is going from the parking lot on the blue trail to the AT. Then continue on the AT north through the open pasture area & make the climb up the ridge. When you get to the top & AT goes right is there not a trail that goes off to the left back to the parking lot.

Mike

[TNhiker]

here's the nat geo map for that area.....

http://files.meetup.com/751131/Mount...ur%20Route.JPG


im kinda a little confused about the directions you're giving.......to me---the ridge is south on the AT from the parking lot.....

[TNhiker]

and just in case that one doesnt help.....this link was posted in your double post..

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-pa...nhighlands.pdf

and as mr. bumpy notes----the scale on that map is not correct....

[mmais68569]

here's the nat geo map for that area.....

http://files.meetup.com/751131/Mount...ur%20Route.JPG


im kinda a little confused about the directions you're giving.......to me---the ridge is south on the AT from the parking lot.....

Thanks this map had what I was thinking about. Again a senior moment,it was the Pine Mountain Trail I was thinking about. I remember seeing the signs on the AT & said next time I would go that way. Thanks for all the help


Mike

[bigcranky]

The AT and Pine Mountain trail make about a 12 mile loop, which is a long day hike but a great overnight. Eady access from the backpacker lot or the regular day use parking area.

[Tipi Walter]

Plus, the Pine Mountain trail used to be the AT back many years ago, but then the AT types wanted to reroute the trail thru the crest zone and up onto Wilburn Ridge for obvious reasons, i.e. it's beautiful. Some of my favorite campsites are on the Pine Ridge trail and there's a water spring in the middle section of the trail near the Lewis Fork trail jct. And just think: You can backpack this trail and all others in Mt Rogers and don't have to pay a penny or reserve spots beforehand. Yippee.

[q-tip]

The day I hiked thru Grayson, cold, rain and not a pony in sight. I believe a retrun trip ismin order.

[Tipi Walter]

It's my favorite backpacking place in the Southeast--- And so I can't help but share some fotogs---


Wilburn Ridge in "grandmother gap" looking towards Grandmother Peak and Rhododendron Gap---heading south on the AT.



The usual ponies, this one with a hippie hairdo.



Bear Tooth Rock on Stone Mt above Scales and near the AT on the Bearpen trail.

[2NewKnees]

Absolutely great place to take kids on their first trip. My daughter loved it so much. It's a relatively easy hike with great views and the scales were a good place to camp for her first trip b/c of the bathroom of course.