9/5/20 – 9/11/20 MT ROGERS HEADQUARTERS TO DAMASCUS APPALACHIAN TRAIL HIKE!

I have hiked quite a bit in Grayson Highlands State Park / Lewis Fork Wilderness / Mt Rogers Recreation Area but mostly in specific loops along designated trails. This was partly due to the logistics of not having to arrange a shuttle or staging vehicles and was designed for a single vehicle. It also helped focus the hiking on the highlights of the area to maximize the short amount of time spent there which was mostly around the Grayson Highlands State Park section.

But this hike was different – we had more time to explore the entire area from one end to the other and absorb the surroundings from the significant to not so significant – and all of it turned out to be very significant! Basically, we traversed these entire park and one or two more from one end to the other by way of the Appalachian Trail. There were a few areas such as Elk Garden that I never had the opportunity to see on my previous hikes to the region.

So, this trip encompassed everything we already hiked and knew was great about the area in addition to new areas like Elk Gardens and everything in between. We were hoping for some awesome hiking and it delivered incredible results.

We knew the timing could be somewhat sketchy since we would be starting our hike on the Labor Day weekend and the popular areas would most likely be packed with people. For this reason, we started our hike from the Mt. Rogers Headquarters via shuttle that we were able to acquire through the Mt. Rogers Outfitters in downtown Damascus. Their shuttle prices are very good and are on the prior website link. They also have a fine selection of outdoor goods in their store. There are a few other businesses who will shuttle hikers for a fee as well.

The weather was very good overall with little rain. The temperatures were pretty warm in the day and night as well and were right on the border of being comfortable hiking weather. The nights just didn’t cool off enough for my preference. I’d say the nights were generally in the upper 50’s to low 60’s. I’d prefer closer to the upper 40’s.

If I did this hike again I’d wait a week because the temperature dropped 10-20 degrees and it would have been more comfortable hiking.

Agenda for hike

DAY 1 – We shuttled to Mt. Rogers Headquarters and hiked a short distance and camped. Good potable water at the headquarters so we loaded up before hiking to campsites. There were no other people in the area so we had our choice of campsites.

DAY 2 – Hiked to Trimpi shelter and tent camped near the shelter. Very good creek water source next to campsites.

DAY 3 – Hiked to Hurricane Mountain shelter and tent camped near the shelter. Good water source.

DAY 4 – Hiked to Fairwood Rd and picked up food drop at one of our vehicles then proceeded to Old Orchard shelter – hiked on to the Scales then down to Wise shelter. Met a hiker by the trail name of Baked at Wise shelter and ate lunch there then hiked on to within about 3/4 mile of Thomas Knob shelter and tent camped. No water source where we camped so had to hike to Thomas Knob water source then back.

DAY 5 – Hiked down to Elk Garden and on up to Whitetop Mountain and then to Buzzard Rock. Hiked on and slept in Lost Mountain shelter. Gabbed with Flashlight and Grandpolian – they stayed at the shelter as well. This is a beautiful area – with a ton of very flat tent camping in the area. Water source so-so – not terrific but worked.

DAY 6 – Hiked on to Saunders Shelter and tent camped. Good water source.

DAY 7 – Hiked on to Damascus. This day included some time on the Virginia Creeper trail – great place to bike.

MY GEAR LIST

1) ULA Circuit Backpack

2) Enlightened Equipment Revelation Quilt 40 Degree

3) Thermarest Neoair Trekker Speed Valve – no longer made but here is Thermarest Neoair Trekker without Speed Valve

4) Oboz Sawtooth II Low Hiking Shoes – Really like these shoes but the proprietary soles not as sticky or durable as Vibram

5) ZPacks Solplex Tent w/removable bathtub floor – Love this tent!

6) ZPacks Groundsheet Poncho – Bathtub

7) ZPacks DCF Rain Kilt

8) MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe Stove

Partnership Shelter – about 300 feet behind the Mt. Rogers Headquarters. The shelter was closed and we didn’t stay there. This shelter was one of the nicest shelters I’ve ever seen.

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Crazy looking tree – this pic just doesn’t do it justice

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Wildlife

Comers Creek Falls - officially this trail was closed but we hiked it anyway. The bridge was in disrepair and required a one person at a time crossing. Sketchy!