{"id":203,"date":"2009-09-23T18:12:21","date_gmt":"2009-09-23T23:12:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/?p=203"},"modified":"2009-11-22T01:09:39","modified_gmt":"2009-11-22T06:09:39","slug":"hiking-the-highlands-of-virginia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/trailstealth\/hiking-the-highlands-of-virginia.html","title":{"rendered":"Hiking the Highlands of Virginia"},"content":{"rendered":"

There is a tradition for ‘Rat Patrol<\/a>‘ to take some time off every year and go hiking sometime around his birthday.\u00a0 Last year, him and I hiked the Appalachian Trail from Devil Fork Gap to Allen Gap–a 20-mile stretch over Flint, Coldspring<\/a>, and Viking Mountains–all part of the Bald Mountain Chain of the Appalachians (see ‘Birthday Hike 2008<\/a>‘ in the photo gallery).\u00a0 This year, despite having an opportunity to hike the southern section of the Smoky Mountains with some friends, he decided to hike a 40-mile stretch of the Virginia Highlands<\/a> from ‘Fox Creek’ to Damascus.<\/p>\n

\"grayson40\"<\/p>\n

We rendezvoused at \u2018Hairnt Quarters\u2019 shortly after noon on September 9th, the day after his birthday, and drove over the mountain into Virginia to meet up with friends there.\u00a0 After a brief stop at the \u2018Backbone Rock<\/a>\u2019 to take photos of the falls, we arrived in Damascus and found \u2018Legs\u2019 a short time later at Hoppie and Birdie’s place.\u00a0 Gecko found us soon afterward, and drove Rat, Legs, and myself to the Appalachian Trailhead at Fox Creek in his Chevy truck.\u00a0 From there we began our trek southward towards Damascus.<\/p>\n

\"backbone_falls_rs\"<\/p>\n

We didn\u2019t go far<\/a> the first day out, as it was already well into the afternoon when we started, and it is always a good idea to get acclimated to the trail the first day or two, and not overdo it, and perhaps injure yourself.\u00a0 Our packs were not light, but not as heavy as usual; mine weighing in at 40 lbs, Rat\u2019s at 42, and Legs\u2019 pack about the same.\u00a0 Anyway, the three of us decided to camp at Old Orchard Shelter<\/a> the first night out.\u00a0 Rat was showing off his new titanium-coated cook-pot and his \u2018sham-wow\u2019, while Legs rehydrated after drinking beer most of the day, carrying a cup<\/a> all the way to Old Orchard.<\/p>\n

\"old_orchard_shelter_rs\"<\/p>\n

The night was coming on quickly, and we had good views<\/a> of the sunset over Iron Mountain in the distance, when Legs first discovered the large owl<\/a> hanging out in the tree right beside the shelter.\u00a0 I have never seen an owl so self-assured and fearless, staying in the nearby tree watching us even after we obviously had noticed her, and attempted to take photos, even.\u00a0 There was also a bat that flew around the shelter\u2014we were grateful for the protection of the hunters, realizing that it wasn\u2019t likely that the mice or mosquitoes would be bothering us there.\u00a0 Sometime after dark, I noticed a light coming down the hill toward the shelter; it was a hiker named \u2018Super Dave\u2019 (we later re-named him \u2018Double-D\u2019, although I can\u2019t recall exactly why) that had walked all the way from \u2018Elk Garden\u2019 that day, after getting caught up in a torrential rainstorm the night before.\u00a0 We made room for him to camp with us inside the shelter<\/a>, then the rain began, and the snore-fest ensued soon afterward.\u00a0 It rained all night.<\/p>\n

We got a late start the next morning, but managed to hike through the tenacious cloud and wind that gripped the mountain<\/a>, and over Pine Mountain<\/a>, through Scales<\/a>, and on through the meadow\/ridge<\/a> into the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness, eating delicious blueberries and petting wild ponies<\/a> along the way.\u00a0 We ended up at the Wise Shelter, having walked 6 miles, and decided to camp there for the night.\u00a0 Again, the rains fell and lasted all night, and it actually got quite chilly.<\/p>\n

\"blueberry\"<\/p>\n

The next day, we started off for the spectacular Wilburn Ridge<\/a> in the Grayson Highlands<\/a>.\u00a0 A few F-15’s\u2019s, or some such military aircraft (they were like rockets with wings), flew up the valley and beyond the mountain, which somewhat startled and impressed us.\u00a0 Since it was September 11th, we were a bit concerned until we eventually heard other aircraft flying around (Rat, who was ahead of me and higher up<\/a> on the ridge than I, claimed that they were doing \u2018barrel-rolls\u2019, but I have my doubts).\u00a0 The weather had cleared and we were blessed with spectacular views all day.<\/p>\n

\"grayson38rs\"
\nClimbing<\/a> the majestic Wilburn Ridge<\/a> is awe-inspiring and somewhat spiritual in nature, reminiscent of Stonehenge, or some ancient Scottish wonderland.\u00a0 Onward<\/a> and up<\/a> through the Highlands<\/a> we ascended, marveling at the remarkable scenery<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"grayson11rs\"<\/p>\n

It had been 12 years, perhaps 13, since the last time I had hiked up and over the ridge<\/a>, and I remembered that it was very impressive, but I forgot just how amazing<\/a>.\u00a0 Everything was going quite well, the sun was out and the views<\/a> were extraordinary<\/a>–the only bad part of the hike that day was that Legs<\/a> wasn\u2019t feeling well, and decided to walk down into Massie Gap and catch a ride back to Damascus.\u00a0 Rat and I, however, went on over the ridge and through the thickly-grown alpine fir trees on Mount Rogers<\/a>, getting our first glimpses of White Top Mountain<\/a> in the distance.<\/p>\n

\"mt_rogers_whitetop_rs\"<\/p>\n

We took several breaks along the way, one on top<\/a> of Wilburn Ridge<\/a>, to take in everything we had walked that day so far, another on top of the incredible cliff<\/a> (which gave me vertigo<\/a>) approaching Mount Rogers<\/a>, and another at the Thomas Knob Shelter<\/a> for snacks and water.\u00a0 We decided to continue hiking on from there (a 6-mile trek that day) to see many more wild ponies<\/a> and astonishing views<\/a>, before deciding to make camp<\/a> beside the Virginia Highlands<\/a> Horse Trail<\/a> near Deep Gap.<\/p>\n

\"whitetop_from_mt_rogers_rs\"<\/p>\n

Although we missed our trail-friend, Legs, we set up our tents and cooked a fine trail supper<\/a>, enjoying a restful evening.\u00a0 The night started out well; the stars were plentiful and bright, but the rains came later, and we both had to get up and fortify our little shelters with tarps.\u00a0 I was actually sleeping under a rain fly, as the tent I sometimes carry is way too heavy for backpacking, but with the extra tarps, everything, including myself, stayed dry. Rat didn\u2019t seem to have any problems either.\u00a0 Sometime during the night, we were visited by another owl, which perched in the tree above me and hooted for quite awhile, but both of us were too tired to get up and appraise the night bird\u2019s stealth.<\/p>\n

\"deep_gap_rs\"<\/p>\n

We had a bit of trouble finding water the next morning, but I still had a few ounces left when a nice couple in Elk Garden gave us both a bottle each.\u00a0 We found a spring about a quarter mile up the hill, on our approach<\/a> to Whitetop Mountain.\u00a0 2009 has been a great year for hiking, I must say, even with all the rain, as the springs everywhere, even on the mountain tops were running quite well, even late into the summer season. After enduring years upon years of drought, it is nice to have the luxury of not having to carry the extra poundage of water up steep mountain slopes.\u00a0 Water is quite heavy.<\/p>\n

\"elk_garden_rs\"<\/p>\n

On our ascent up White Top Mountain<\/a>, we re-entered the balsam jungle, and then skirted the summit through a colorful, flowering meadow<\/a> and took a break out on \u2018Buzzard Rock<\/a>\u2019, where we enjoyed a marvelous view of the Iron Mountain Chain<\/a>, the deep valley<\/a>, and could even glimpse the trail ahead of us.<\/p>\n

\"whitetop5_rs\"<\/p>\n

From there<\/a>, we descended down the mountain<\/a>, crossing \u2018601\u2019, where we re-filled our water bottles at the spring box, before trekking through a nice farm<\/a> where we encountered a bull<\/a> and a few curious cows.\u00a0 I was astounded at the size and age of the locust trees<\/a> there\u2014some of the oldest and largest I have ever seen.\u00a0 Anyway, we continued on beyond Highway 58, enduring a few steep climbs, to the Lost Mountain Shelter where we set up our tents and tarps in the pines behind it, since they were still wet, having walked 11 miles that day.\u00a0 I arrived just before twilight, and Rat dragged in about 10 minutes later, looking rather tired.\u00a0 The weather was great, and it did not rain that night.<\/p>\n

\"old_locust_tree_rs\"<\/p>\n

The next morning was beautiful, also; Rat was the first one to get up and start moving around, as the sun rose through the trees<\/a> on Lost Mountain. I was a bit surprised by his readiness, expecting to be able to sleep in for another hour, or so.\u00a0 But, he was motivated to start hiking, and we both knew we were still about 15 miles from Damascus, where we intended to be by the end of the day.<\/p>\n

\"lost_mtn_shelter_rs\"<\/p>\n

After the first 3 miles, we met up with the Virginia Creeper Trail, and began walking on it<\/a>, traversing over<\/a> several trestles, while dozens of bikers effortlessly passed us by.\u00a0 We found an impressive set of cascades<\/a> and waterfalls<\/a> with a nice swimming-hole, and having been out on the trail for several days, I was very tempted to strip down, rinse off, and swim.\u00a0 But, we were on a tight schedule, and we returned to trekking– all set and motivated for the \u2018Death March to Damascus\u2019 when one of the bikers traveling up the Creeper Trail told us of a bearded guy in Taylors Valley who was waiting for us with beer<\/a>!\u00a0 Legs!\u00a0 Rat poured out his water and blasted off, like an F-15 over Mount Rogers, and that was the last I saw of him until I reached Taylors Valley, two miles later.\u00a0 Legs saved me a PBR, another thing for which I was grateful for–besides saving us both 7 more miles of walking.<\/p>\n

\"cascades_rs\"<\/p>\n

We visited a few friends<\/a> at the Lazy Fox<\/a> while waiting for Rat\u2019s girlfriend to arrive, and later ate a good meal at Quincy\u2019s while we were still in town.\u00a0 Good times with good people\u2026<\/p>\n

In the end, we had walked approximately 33 miles over the most awe-inspiring trails; the Virginia Highlands <\/a>are so beautiful!\u00a0 As Rat had commented while hiking over Mount Rogers<\/a>; \u2018It is like walking through a (Bob) Ross painting<\/a>\u2026\u2019 I would go back tomorrow, if I could.\u00a0 Surely it will not be another 12 years before I return there\u2014at least I hope not.<\/p>\n

\"grayson_rs\"<\/p>\n

For another perspective on this remarkable hike, check out Rat Patrol\u2019s personal blog \u2018here<\/a>\u2019.<\/p>\n

To view the Virginia Highland photo gallery, go ‘here<\/a>‘.<\/p>\n

More adventures soon\u2026<\/p>\n

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Boulderman<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There is a tradition for ‘Rat Patrol‘ to take some time off every year and go hiking sometime around his birthday.\u00a0 Last year, him and I hiked the Appalachian Trail from Devil Fork Gap to Allen Gap–a 20-mile stretch over Flint, Coldspring, and Viking Mountains–all part of the Bald Mountain Chain of the Appalachians (see […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=203"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":220,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/203\/revisions\/220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=203"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.trailstealth.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}