| Grayson Highlands Virginia |
| Grayson Highlands is located in Southwest Virginia about 20 miles east of Damascus, home to the annual "Trail Days" celebration. The Appalachian Trail passes through the center of town and over the years it has earned the reputation as the "friendliest town on the Appalachian Trail". Each year in mid May northbound thruhikers, past thruhikers and backpacking enthusiests gather in Damascus to celebrate the trail. There are contests, talent shows, demonstrations, the hikers' parade, and gear exhibitions. Also located in Damascus is "The Place", a hostel operated by the Methodist Church and a favorite gathering place for hikers. The well known Virginia Creeper Trail terminates here as well. This trail is a rails for trails that winds it's way through town and follows an old rail bed past scenic creeks and mountain country. The Appalachian Trail north of Damascus pases through the Mount Rodgers Recreation Area and Grayson Highlands State park. Mount Rodgers is the the highest peak in Virginia at 5,729 feet. A feature of this area are the wild ponies that roam the high meadows, the grassy highlands and interesting rock outcroppings. |
| The Hike We will begin our hike at Massey Gap parking lot in Grayson Highlands State Park. The first half mile is a gentle uphill hike to meet the Appalachian Trail In a grassy high meadow. We will probably get our first view of the wild ponies once we are on the A.T. The trail passes through Rhododendrum Gap. The rhododendrums are usually in full bloom in late June and early July. In about two and a half miles we will come to the Thomas Knob Shelter located at the edge of a grassy bald with a fenced (to keep the ponies out) spring. The shelter is clean and high. This will be ourt first night's camp. The following morning we will follow the A.T. for aboput two miles to the Mount Rodgers Trail where we will turn north. The trail does not go over the peak which is covered in firs and provides no views. In another 4 miles we will come to Grindstone Campground and our second night's camp. The campground has bathroom facilities including hot showers. We leave the campground still heading north where we will intersect the Iron Mountain Trail at Cherry Hill Shelter. A good place to stop for a break.The Iron Mountain Trail was once the Appalachian Trail before it was rerouted through the highlands. In about two miles the trail again meets the Appalchian trail and turns south. Four miles further we will be at Old Orchard shelter and our camping place for the night. The next day we will again be in open fields and a highlight is "the scales", an early cattle weighing and loading station. Our last day will be about 8 miles and lead us back to Massey Gap and the Grayson Highlands Campground for our final night's camp. |