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  1. #21
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    True - impossible to avoid all of them - however - there are spots where you can choose the horse trail or stay on the AT in areas. Unfortunately we made the wrong choice in areas around Scales and a few other spots on our last trip.

  2. #22

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    Quote Originally Posted by Nancy Major View Post
    I am planning to do an AT section hike from Damascus to Fox Creek this May. I heard that camping is not allowed within the Grayson Highlands S.P. Can someone confirm if this is true? It shouldn't be a problem because the AT isn't very long through the park and there appears to be plenty of places to camp before or after the park. Also, I understand that the weather is always unpredictable but I heard May can be pretty rainy. My trip has to be completed before Memorial weekend because of work restrictions. I could pick any week in April or May for my hike but figured May would be warmer. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
    Never heard of that. My wife and I did a 3 day 2 night trip through Grayson Highlands the week before Thanksgiving. We checked in at the Ranger station (they sell NG maps there btw) and reviewed our itinerary with him - he even recommended some good spots to camp.

  3. #23

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    I would also echo others who mentioned the horse trails and how muddy they get.

  4. #24

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    I will mention that there was a sign stating no tenting in the vicinity of the wise shelter and also the ridge (in just a couple specific places) just south of the Wise shelter where the trail meets the spur back to the backpacker lot. I assume it's a temporary measure to let the area recover from overuse.

  5. #25

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    There's actually no camping allowed within Grayson Highlands state park but just thru the fence on the AT going south tent camping is allowed---I know because I've camped on Wilburn Ridge many times---

    TRIP 123 166-L.jpg

    There are three main Peaks on Wilburn Ridge which allow camping and this is the first one when going south towards Rhodo Gap and Thomas Knob shelter. I call it Ma Peak, the second bigger one Pa Peak and the last one Grandmother Peak.

    TRIP 123 174-L.jpg
    Here is Grandmother Peak looking south on the AT and Grandmother Gap, an excellent place to camp if you can handle the wind and have a stout tent.

  6. #26

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tipi Walter View Post
    There's actually no camping allowed within Grayson Highlands state park but just thru the fence on the AT going south tent camping is allowed---I know because I've camped on Wilburn Ridge many times---

    TRIP 123 166-L.jpg

    There are three main Peaks on Wilburn Ridge which allow camping and this is the first one when going south towards Rhodo Gap and Thomas Knob shelter. I call it Ma Peak, the second bigger one Pa Peak and the last one Grandmother Peak.

    TRIP 123 174-L.jpg
    Here is Grandmother Peak looking south on the AT and Grandmother Gap, an excellent place to camp if you can handle the wind and have a stout tent.
    I just looked at my map and you're correct - I forgot what a small area the Grayson Highlands State Park. By my map, only roughly a mile of the AT traverses the State Park. Wilburn ridge is a great place to camp and see the ponies.

  7. #27

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    Figured I would resurrect this thread as opposed to starting a new one...

    I am planning to do a short, relaxed hike next week through this area. I am planning to start at Fox Creek and finish at US58. A friend and I will stage cars.

    So, is parking at US58 & Fox Creek relatively safe area's?

    How is water through this section right now? I know a little farther south was quite dry last week, although, it looks like some rain may come to this area by next week... should make it muddy huh...lol...?

    Also, if I am not mistaken, did I read in another thread sometime that there is a place to hike right off trail and buy burgers on this section? If so, where... yum!?

    I literally, just ordered the Nat Geo TI map for Mt Rogers... so, when it gets here, I will give it a look over. After reading through this thread it sounds like some short loops are good options in this area too, which would also be nice... I am not 100% married to hiking US58 to Fox Creek, however, I enjoy hiking along the AT, it sounds like it may be free of horse dung (good thing if it does rain), and I am looking forward to hiking up to Mt Roger's via the spur trail, through Fat Man squeeze, and near Stone mtn... So it doesn't sound bad. What would be nice about a loop hike though is being able to park both our cars in this area as opposed to staging in possibly less than safe area's...

    So, what kind of loops would everyone suggest for me to consider. For a little more info, our first day will only be a half day, then 2 full days of hiking and the last day needs to be pretty much at the car. I don't mind big mileage, but this hike is not about that... as I mentioned, right now I am only planning about 24 miles total over this time span, and I am A-OK with that... this is more of a sleep in, hike short miles, spend time at camp and repeat...

    As usual...thanks for any info!
    Last edited by STICK; 09-14-2016 at 20:05.
    ...take nothing but memories and pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill only time... (Bette Filley in Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail)

  8. #28

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    thx for resurrecting this thread. Thx for all the beta and especially TW for the trip reports.

  9. #29

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    Quote Originally Posted by Dogwood View Post
    thx for resurrecting this thread. Thx for all the beta and especially TW for the trip reports.
    Agree... I have been looking through his pics... makes me even more excited for our trip! It looks like camp spots and water shouldn't be a big problem!
    ...take nothing but memories and pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill only time... (Bette Filley in Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail)

  10. #30
    Registered User Tuckahoe's Avatar
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    Other than places to eat in Damascus itself, the on trail cafe would be the Creeper Trail Cafe in Taylors Valley, which is right on the Virginia Creeper Trail.

    You'd pick up the Creeper Trail when the AT insects it at the Luther Hassinger Bridge. You can also get to Taylors Valley from a spur trail coming off the AT near to where the AT and Creeper Trail intersect again after Saunders Shelter.
    igne et ferrum est potentas
    "In the beginning, all America was Virginia." -​William Byrd

  11. #31
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    As far as parking is concerned, I think Fox Creek is a good place. Not sure which US 58 crossing you are referring to: Feathercamp area or just below Whitetop Mtn?

  12. #32
    Registered User Tuckahoe's Avatar
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    Rt 58 below Whitetop Mt is listed on the maps and guide book as Summit Cut and at that point it is more a mere pull off. I would never leave a car parked there.
    igne et ferrum est potentas
    "In the beginning, all America was Virginia." -​William Byrd

  13. #33
    Registered User carouselambra's Avatar
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    In April of this year I left my vehicle parked at Fox Creek for two nights with no issues.

  14. #34

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    Quote Originally Posted by STICK View Post

    Also, if I am not mistaken, did I read in another thread sometime that there is a place to hike right off trail and buy burgers on this section? If so, where... yum!?
    Not between the two points you mentioned, but you follow the creeper into Damascus I would recommend the Creeper Cafe....just be aware their hours are bad (11-5) and the food isn't cheap (after hiking 50 miles through thunderstorms we didn't care).

  15. #35
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    Quote Originally Posted by SnakebiteSurvivor View Post
    The best map of the Grayson Highlands area is called "Mount Rogers High Country and Wildernesses". I don't know of a place to buy this online, but you might phone the Mount Rogers National Recreational Area at (800) 628-7202 (they have a bookstore at their HQ south of Marion VA, which is where I bought mine), and they might sell you one by mail order.
    Amazon.com has the map for sale.

    You can meander around GHSP for a few days easily (I did). A lot of intersecting trails (both hiking and shared-use). You can use the AT as a "main artery" out-and-back to Whitetop and Buzzard Rock, then head back to the park and use the other trails as loops (Pine Mtn Trail is nice).

    OR, you could start at GHSP, go towards Damascus via the AT/Creeper Trail, and boomerang back. Or vice-versa. Lots of options.
    "The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
    But I have promises to keep,
    And miles to go before I sleep,
    And miles to go before I sleep."

  16. #36

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    Thanks everyone for the info. As for US58, I am referring to one about a mile north of Lost Mtn Shelter. On the map I have it notes that there is water and parking here, and then 0.3 miles farther north is a stream with a campsite.

    And that's a bummer to hear that the food is on another trail... we will look into that though!
    ...take nothing but memories and pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill only time... (Bette Filley in Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail)

  17. #37

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    Quote Originally Posted by STICK View Post
    Thanks everyone for the info. As for US58, I am referring to one about a mile north of Lost Mtn Shelter. On the map I have it notes that there is water and parking here, and then 0.3 miles farther north is a stream with a campsite.

    And that's a bummer to hear that the food is on another trail... we will look into that though!
    There is a gravel pull-off. I do remember seeing several good water sources and at least one good campsite in the quarter mile north from there as well.

  18. #38

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    Quote Originally Posted by SWODaddy View Post
    There is a gravel pull-off. I do remember seeing several good water sources and at least one good campsite in the quarter mile north from there as well.
    So by "pull-off" are you saying that there is no real parking here then, and wouldn't suggest doing so?
    ...take nothing but memories and pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill only time... (Bette Filley in Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail)

  19. #39

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    Quote Originally Posted by STICK View Post
    So by "pull-off" are you saying that there is no real parking here then, and wouldn't suggest doing so?
    It's a wide pull-off, you will be able to get your car completely off the road. Guthook says room for 2 cars, which sounds about right. I can't speak for the safety of parking there, though.

  20. #40

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    Quote Originally Posted by SWODaddy View Post
    It's a wide pull-off, you will be able to get your car completely off the road. Guthook says room for 2 cars, which sounds about right. I can't speak for the safety of parking there, though.
    Thanks for the info! I understand about safety...
    ...take nothing but memories and pictures, leave nothing but footprints, and kill only time... (Bette Filley in Discovering the Wonders of the Wonderland Trail)

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