mount rogers, the odyssey continues

“Jackstraw / I have one of those and she is called Calmspirits and she may be with me on this trip. So I may be sleeping in, sheeeeeeeeeee ahhhhhhhhhhhh mmmmmmmmmI'mmmmm GOOD”

“I am looking forward to the trip.

I may leave Thursday night and car camp it. I'm unfamiliar with the area so any help would be great.”

“Alrighty then, so we are meeting where?”

“jackstraw, it's really pretty easy. once we decide for sure where we'll stay for the first night, i'll give you directions on how to get there. where are you coming in from? i may be there a day or two early also. it would be good to (car)camp near you if you're up for the company.

scales is probably a good bet. as nice as elk garden would be, it isn't as central to all the areas as scales. especially if we head to the wilson creek wilderness area.

anyone against scales? spam, if you could get that two wheel drive suburban up into the linville gorge area like you did, you can get to scales with a camaro.

anyone with a preference, speak now, or forever hold your peace...”

“From Interstate 81 exit 45. If headed South, take a left on the exit , Heading North Bound take a right off the exit. You are now on RT 16. Continue on to RT 16 several miles up the mountain (Chesnut MT )at the top Mt Rogers Recreation Head Quarters on the right. Continue down the Mountain , you will come to a town name Sugar Grove. Continue on RT 16 winding through the National Forest up Hurricane MT and back down , you will be looking for a store on the right called Troutdale Trading Post. A right turn here on rt 603. Continue on for approx 2 miles . Look for a Dirt road on the left RT 613. If you miss the road you will see a Horse campground on the right, turn around . This is RT 613 . It takes you to Scales . Scales road is approx 6 miles up the mountain with several switchbacks. there are some turn outs so stay on the main dirt road up the mountain. At the top you will see a metal Gate closed to keep the ponies out of Scales parking area. Be sure and close the gate back. You are there. I drive a Black Nissan Truck I should be parked by the Information panel.

If any one is wanting to come to my home when on rt 603 from Troutdale continue on 603 for several miles to a stop sign. Make a left cross a small bridge then take another left. You are headed up White top mt. Continue up for a mile on the right you will see a grave Yard. My Home sets off the road at the next right of way on the right. you will see 2 mail boxes. My Drive way is not paved and is within Eys site of the graveyard. Take a right on the drive way my home is 1/10 mile on the left. A wooden split rail fence on the left. Come on in and lets go Backpacking.”

“I'm in southern Maryland. I would prolly leave after dinner so 'bout 6 hours. I'd be there in the wee hours friday morning. The company would be grand.”

“Where will you be Saturday night? I can get to Scales, no problem, however, I won't get there until Saturday sometime.

And Fridge, where's the pix?!”

“So are you guys thinking Wise Shelter for Friday night? If so, how far is that on the AT from Grayson Highlands State Park?”

“Creek Dancer . Wise shelter is approx 4 1/2 miles from the Parking lot at the State Park. You take the APS trail (Appalachian Spur Trail) to the At and head North Bound on the AT. Wise shelter is 3 1/2 miles on the AT North.

JMH Saturday night has not been determined as of now, any one want to make any suggestions? Also JMH my smokies pics are here/ also Mt Rogers Pics from the past year. http://community.webshots.com/user/refrigerator12
last edited: 10/29/05 5:49:26 PM”

“jackstraw // E mail me at refrigeratorkid@wmconnect.com I can give you my home phone # Iffin you need to call or meet me somewhere.”

“Thanks fridge! Hmmm.. now with daylight savings time, I will need to leave home earlier than I thought. Or I will end up hiking in the dark to the shelter. If the moon is up, it won't be a big deal though.

Which parking lot in the State Park? I will check their website.”

“In the state park the parking lot is the Backpacker's parking lot - turn toward the camping area but then hang an immediate left into the parking lot - for late arrivals be aware that the state park closes its gate at 10 pm I think.”

“i think you can still get through the gate after 10, you just have to use the self check in envelopes.

the hike to wise shelter isn't that hard of a hike. it starts out up hill (1/2 mile) then it is winding and downhill from there. there is one turn off you could miss about 1/4 mile after you go across the creek and through the turnstile. the AT goes to right (on a downhill direction)not far past the end of the fence. the road you are walking on continues on a level/slight uphill direction. take the AT to the wise shelter.”

“Thanks guys. I will send an e-mail to one of you closer to the hike to let you know my plans.

Ok, gear... I have a 15 degree bag (which is heavy as heck). Do you think that will be sufficient? Nimblefoot borrowed my filter. Do you think I could use one of yours over the weekend?”

“So Baume66 ........Wise shelter friday night? If so make it official cause you da man.”

“Creek Dancer. Plenty of water for you so don't worry about water. A 15 degree bag should be okay. Iffin not you can crash in my tent where I will be using a 3000btu heater designed to be used in 4 season expedition tents. I have a Hilleberg Keron 4GT. I tried this tent out last night in the field next to my home and the inside temp stayed around 55 degrees with the outside temp at 22 degrees. Hilleberg Hilton man.”

“I dunno fridge. I snore like a freight train. Sounds like a sweet tent though. I will just be sure to pack fleece clothes for sleeping and wear a hat. But if I end up freezing my ass off, I might take you up on the offer.”

“I was looking at the long range forecast at ACCU WEATHER, for the 11,12,13th,,,mid 50's lows 30's at White Top, Mt Rogers.
I took a brisk hike today, and on the Northern slopes there are 3 to 4 inches of snow patches, southern slopes had no snow.”

“Thanks Fridge, I'll see you Thursday afternoon some time.”

“Iffn I'm a-going to Scales, I need a shuttle. There's no way in hell my Volkswagen can make it up that beat-up ol' road...”

“I will plan on working in Johnson City on the TH/FR morning before the trip.

I can probably be at scales by 3PM at the latest.

Thanks for the directions.”

“wise shelter, friday night. if you're vehicle can't get up to scales, you can park in the state park and hike up. easy hike. if i get there early, i'll reserve the shelter.”

“why are you going to scales?? if I remember correctly there is nothing there”

“to park”

“Ewker/ everything is at SCALES MAN ! Free parking , Safe and well protected from Vandals, because I know the Host there MR Greer. and from scales you can access all areas, Wilson Creek Wilderness, Pine Mt Trail, Wise shelter is just a drop down, And you will be parked at an elevation above 3000 ft so your vehicle will feel like you will feel when you see the views.”

“I must be thinking about a different scales. This is the Scales I am talking about http://community.webshots.com/photo/100394128/100394128UVntoZ

Wise shelter and Pine Mt trail seemed to be a long ways from Scales.”

“Park in the other backpacker lot across from the campground store and go up the horse trail past the Seed Orchard. When you come to the point you have to cross the creek to stay on the trail either go through the gate and cut across the field up to the shelter or use the path following the fence until it runs into the AT. This is under 2 miles. BTW there is no wood to be had close to the shelter. Two weeks ago I hauled wood for over a quarter mile to have a fire...I even had to search to find kindling.

If you follow the AT south a 100 yards there is an old road going up the mountain and there is a great camp spot about another hundred yards up. Room for all the tents you guys will have and a good supply of wood. If you follow this road on up it will run into the Va. Highlands horse trail and it is only 3/4 of a mile to scales. There is a gap to go through so you don't have to climb the fence.

I can't make this trip but will be there T-day weekend, Fri.-Sun
Have fun”

“That is the Scales everyone is talking about. Looking at Scales in your picture, there's two gravel roads/horse trails that go left of scales down thru the valley. The one to the far left will lead you straight to the Wise shelter. The one to the far right will too but you have to take another trail off of it to put you back onto the other trail. This trail, the one on the left, is on a slight down hill all the way to the creek and the AT and then Wise shelter is just a short walk from there. If you follow the AT straight up on the other side of Scales, it will run into the Pine Mtn shelter at the top of the mtn, just before you start down to the Old Orchard Shelter. The Pine Mtn trail was once the AT 25 or so years ago. You can still see the white paint underneath the blue paint on some blazes. The Three RIdge Trail comes down to scales just to the right of where the AT comes into it, from where you were standing when you took this picture. The horse trail going up from Scales to Rhodo gap runs sort of parrallel (spelling ?) to the AT and then the Pine MTn Trail. The horse trail is cool, lots of views and the ponies hang out along this trail. Everything seems to come together at Scales.”

“...that shelter is not gonna hold (potentially) 23 people.”

“it will, you just gotta sleep standing up.”

“Wise shelter will sleep 23 easily,hehehehe
It's a wise choice to pick this shelter.heheheh”

“hikerhead! you comming to this one? Sticks! you need to be on this one. I got a surprise for you. It will go down good with coffe in the morning iffin you know what I mean.”

“Right now I have say no but I might. Will have to wait and see. You all have a good time though if I don't see you.”

“Are there any other women going on this hike?”

“I don't want to be alone with you weirdos!”

“Hey, that's MISTER weirdo to you darlin.”

“Great, a weirdo and a smart ass rolled into one!

Looking forward to meeting everyone, by the way.”

“I prefer the term "Eccentric". As in "Gosh aren't we the eccentric one now!"”

“LOL. My grandmother told me that eccentric people are just weird people with money.”

“Well I don't know about the money part, but I've got the wierd thing down to a science. : )”

“Well hell, it looks like we may be moving soon. I hope it gets put off past this trip.

I will take vacation days to move.....”

“Dang!!! , Hope so.”

“Whats everones take on hiking in the snow. crampons, snowshoes?”

“Creek Dancer , My wife Calm Spirits may be on this trip.
last edited: 11/02/05 7:59:32 PM”

“fridge, report to this thread and give some comments on the Cranberry Wilderness

http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/37304,3.php”

“Maybe? Are you still deciding whether you're gonna let her among the TT crowd?”

“i think ellie mae will be with spam.”

“Looks like the move may be on. I told cottonsocks I would pay someone to do my part.

The look I got gave me the shivers.”

“Hey Phantom. You know she went on the Doly Sods Trip and handled herself well, She even made me pack in a gallon of red wine which her and prosecutor finished off. and even bushwacked when we got lost.
last edited: 11/03/05 5:49:32 PM”

“A valuable asset, I must say. Imagine you had to drink all that wine yourself...”