Beautiful short loop done I. Combination with Little Dry Run Wilderness at end of August 2024. There was very little water in either wilderness, only a trickle at specific points of both loops in the wilderness areas. This made camping locations limited but it was still a wonderful trip and always a joy to be in God’s presence in nature.
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The water sources were stagnant or dry requiring me to the full loop in one day. I camped <1 mile from the car/exit where there was a small trickle of flow in a creek by my camp. This wilderness is open to horses so even though it was dry, there were many parts that were very muddy. Parts of this loop was on fire roads or gravel roads and paths. Bugs were bad in August. Not one of my favorite wilderness areas for sure but still nice to unplug!
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We started @8:44 went to the peak of mount Rogers and came back under 6 hours. The trail was long and the views on the way up were worth it. There were a lot more people hiking up n our back but going up there wasn’t that many.
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Never made it to the lake stopped in campground, Michael got brown from Karl b4 ride didn’t want to go to the lake and make it longer
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It’s a beautiful hike along the Appalachian Trail. I ran into wild ponies deer, and a small bear. Also ran into AT hikers. There’s some beautiful paths with flowers and towards the top you were into what I called the Moss forest.
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Highly recommend going clockwise so the road portion is downhill. I parked at the AT trailhead, but you can also park at the Sulpher Springs trailhead, it will just change whether you’re doing the road walk at the beginning or the end. Beautiful hike. Some trees down but most are easily stepped over.
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Trail was well maintained with blazes pretty consistently throughout. Did check my bearings a few times because of the depth of the leave cover. Tons of deer ticks, had to brush my dog out when we were done. Definitely a challenging trail, most of the ascent is in the first mile and a half.
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Ponies everywhere. Got stuck in some rainy weather the second night but cleared. Super beautiful. Nice, shorter Grayson highlands loop.
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I could come here every single day! I love this place- seeing the wild ponies is so calming and peaceful for my soul! The trail is a workout !
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Horseback riding was great! Need to trim some trees off the Parrish Thompson Trail.
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I’ve never experienced so much beauty at one time on a 6 mile hike! Will definitely be back!
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Beautiful hike from the grass lot where there is a pit toilet. Uphill for the first mile. Beautiful views and lots of blueberries.
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Amazing Views, great trails, and next to no bugs due to the wind. Overall a great place for your next backpacking trip!
Day 1: 7.5 miles camped at 1st peak
Day 2: 17 miles camped near Mt. Rogers
Day 3: 5.6 miles hiked out
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Awesome hike. The Channels make it completely worth the walk. Make sure to take snacks!!!
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From Fairwood Rd to the Scales via Va. 613 is only about 3.5 to 4 miles but it will take you 30 to 40 min. to drive. At this time the gate, about a half mile from the Scales, on 613 is closed/locked
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So beautiful. Gorgeous views, sweet little wild ponies, many different hikes.
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One of our favorite hikes… at Grayson Highlands, right from the campground, to the AT, and one of the rock out toppings, and back😉👍🐾💖
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I would do this loop again in late fall or early spring to veered appreciate the Iron Mountain Trail!
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Four folks, two French Bulldogs and a cool morning. Unable to park where we would end the hike but decided to continue with the plan to walk across Flat Top Mountain. Reached the summit, continued across. The trail was littered with debris, not many hikers due to the parkway being closed. As we reached the bottom of the mountain, the rain started. We still had a mile to walk. The rain was light and the car was a welcome sight.
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Absolutely amazing. If you can, bike up and back but if you can’t then simply enough the lovely cruise down the mountain from Whitetop.
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The trail was in good shape. Due to the weather however it is rather slick with the packed down snow, but still manageable. Would recommend hiking boots and for now crampons if you have them.
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Great Trail. FJC 3” lift w/ 34’s drove it with ease with snow on the ground. I wouldn’t recommend full size trucks due to some tight areas. Gate was also closed near the top keeping you from driving the full way to scales.
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The scenery in this park as well as the surrounding is breathtaking. Sometimes it seems as though the higher elevations have their own weather, so come prepared for an adventure.
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Up hill climb then nice rolling walk through the woods along the AT. Offshoot to the left at 1.98 mikes takes you to the falls. Several campsites with fire rings along the offshoot. I’m sure it’s busy in the summer but we only saw two people. They were at the falls but had arrived via the falls parking lot.
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Well maintained road providing access to Apple Orchard waterfall. We were in a Jeep, but one could drive a two wheel drive SUV or crossover as well.
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This is a double track, rail grade trail - Rails to Trails type deal. Mostly on USFS land, the trail does run through some private property, even on the White Top Station side. Typically characterized by moderate traffic headed down, weather dependent. Most users of this trail rent a bike and shuttle up from one of several bike shops in Damascus. These users seem clueless that this is a two-way trail, with up and down traffic. Keeping single file and to the right isn’t well understood, so the caveat here is, “ riders up - watch the hell out, or you’re going to get hit.”
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Great short loop hike out on the Appalachian Trail from Elk Garden and back on the Virginia horse trail. Varied terrain including going across the large bald. Could be easily extended onto Mount Rogers or over toward Grayson Highlands.
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This is a great hike. Very steep in some places, but stairs help. Great views on top and most of the trail is in shade.
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Blue Blaze Bike Rental and shuttle. Great people! We have been coming here every summer for over 20 years. Always a great day riding bikes down the creeper trail
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This is our all-time favorite bike trail. You can ride just from Whitetop down to Damascus for an easy ride, or from Abingdon to Damascus and back for a slightly more challenging out and back, or end-to-end with appropriate shuttles.
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We took the shuttle to the top so we mostly only had to hike down. It was beautiful but the rock steps can be difficult to maneuver around. Not recommended for anyone with knee issues.
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This loop is an amazing experience! I will definitely return to do it again. Only complain is that Mt. Rogers trail is a bit overgrown and had quite a few trees down, and it hasn’t rained up there in a little while so the water was scarce in some places. But overall, it was an adventure that I will never forget.
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This is a great area to horseback ride with lots of marked and unmarked trails through the mountains.
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