mount rogers, the odyssey continues

“Great, I hope Calm Spirits comes along.

So any thoughts on where we should stay Saturday night?

Hope we get up to Wilburn Ridge at some point.”

“ok wise shelter which hike is easyer and shorter scales or state park i'll be geting in late fri evening”

“Lone wolf Scales is all down hill to Wise shelter. But from the park there is a hill to climb to the AT. From the AT, the trek to Wise shelter is easy.”

“probably easieast from scales. it's downhill/flat the entire way except for the last 100 yards.

that being said, the hike in from the backpackers lot in the park is an easy hike. the first 1/2 mile out of the park and up to the AT is uphill (but not bad), and then it's downhill from there.

i'd say go to where ever it's easiest to get to for you. it's paved road all the way to the lot in the state park. and if you go park in the campground overflow as was mentioned a few posts back, it's an even shorter hike. i've never done the campground overflow parking and hike in before so can't advise on that hike, but i don't think it would be at all strenous.

since we're staying the first night near wise shelter, i'm suggesting rhodo gap area for night two. this will allow us to enjoy wilburn ridge. if the weather is cold/rainy/snowy/icey we could maybe decide on not heading for the open of the gap area and head into the wilderness area east of wise. it gets miserable up near the gap in bad weather.

plan three will be to bail on day two and go stay in frig's yard.”

“lol. yeah, what frig said.”

“Gem and I hiked in from the overflow parking area at the campstore last year - the hike is easier than going up to the AT on the spur trail and somewhat shorter than coming in from scales. The key to that hike is to _NOT_ cross the creek but rather either hang a left at the creek and go along the fence line to the ladder stile on the AT or to go through the zig zag stile and walk through the field up to the AT/shelter.”

“I don't think Ellie Mae will be on this one but we'll see.I should be there early Friday afternoon iffin nothing happens. My dad has terminal bone cancer and he has been going down hill very rapidly.If he is doing any worse than he is right now I will probably have to cancel but I am hoping only for his sake that he is OK>”

“Fridge said whuuuuuutttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Okay IF the party is here,, BYOB ,,iffin this happens, I will only cook Biscuits and Gravy with sausage and bacon, coffee, OJ for breakfast.

I have several cords of wood ready for a camp fire and we all camp in my front yard in the woods lookin up at Whitetop Mt.
last edited: 11/04/05 4:52:15 PM”

“say that again blalock, i couldn't quite hear you.”

“I have family in Bristol so I may end up dropping the family off there and going on this trip. I'll talk to the boss about getting some extra time next weekend so I don't have to rush out of there.”

“Baume if you could try and decide an itinerary for this trip it would be most helpful to me. I need to let my wife know where I will be each night so that if something was to go wrong with my dad I could be located.”

“Ditto in the itinerary. It doesn't have to be in concrete, I'm a giant map Nerd and would like to scope out the trails. : )”

“Granted it's a bit late, but is there anywhere to buy the area map at Grayson? I have a map that will get me to Wise, but it is an excerpt from another trip and not the whole area.”

“I'm not sure there is a formal itenerary, per se. From what I hear, everyone just kinda does their own thing and we just camp at night...”

“...Wise Shelter Friday night and weather permitting, Rhodo Gap Saturday night...?”

“here is a map of the area

http://www.fototime.com/{65941B18-EF59-4DDA-9D73-C7217F6E5B45}/picture.JPG


scales is where the trails come together in the upper right hand area. wise shelter is a little below and to the left. just follow the green highlighted trail (AT) from scales and you'll see it. just below center on this map is the backpacker parking in grayson highlands park. it is labeled "overnight". if you look to the right and a little above, you will see the campground and a "P" for parking. this is the parking area near the camp store that was mentioned in earlier posts. you can see wise shelter isn't far from any of it.

the itenerary is:

friday, camp near or at wise shelter. spam, this is where we were last year.

saturday hike to wilburn ridge by the trail of your choice (and there are many choices) and camp somewhere in the rhodo gap. spam, this is also like last year.

if it is rainy/icey/snowy we can decide to head into the big wilson creek area instead of heading for the high open ground of rhodo gap/wilburn ridge. we can decide this saturday morning. the big wilson creek area is to the right of wise shelter/scales on the map. i will have a map with me that will show all of this if the link i posted wasn't enough. if we head to the big wilson creek area, we won't have as many routes to choose from (we'll all be taking the same route). that means the link to the map i posted is all you'll need. you could pick up a map at the outfitter in damascus if you feel the link isn't enough. i'm sure there are places in marion and such that you could probably find a map also. i don't know if the ranger station in the state park has them or not. look them up online and call them if you need to.

spam, bring an instrument. i'll have my banjo again. ("buurry me, beneeeath the willow, uunn-der the weeping willow tree"). hope to see you there. if you can't make it, and i would certainly understand why, set something up for linville again this jan/feb. i'll be there.
last edited: 11/06/05 10:44:25 PM”

“creek dancer, i'm not leaving until friday if you would like to ride along. email me at mccracdb_1 at msn.com if you are interested. i'll reply with my phone number so we can set thigns up.”

“thigns = things”

“I am going to have to cancel. Somehow I developed uveitis, inflammation of the eyeballs. Yes, my eyeballs hurt. Weird, but true. I have to put drops in every two hours and keep my eyes dilated which would not be too much fun in the sun. Have fun you guys. Hopefully I will be able to join you next year.”

“Things are looking good for now so I should be there on Friday afternoon.Baume I plan to stop and see how the Linville Gorge is looking these days and iffin all is well I WILL plan a trip for January.I'll probably hit Louise's Rockhouse for lunch too.!”

“Thanks for the map link. The one I have is a similar scan, so at least I am workign with the right map (he he). I will probably roll into Grayson around noon on Friday. It depends if I head straight there or stop at MROutfitters.

Hey, I am using snowpeak fuel canisters. I was wondering if it is time to switch back to my whisperlite or if it still OK to use the canisters. I don't have any winter experience with either stove type. I just know the white gas is "old reliable". I was thinking I'd just sleep with my isopro canister.

Jackstraw had asked about special gear too. Are we talking yaktrax or snowshoes? I might swing the trax, but hadn't planned on a Patsquach appearance yet. I guess I can get a clue in Damascus.”

“patrick, i've never carried any special equipment for my feet in november there. you'll be fine with just your boots. fuel canisters will probably be fine. they don't work great in the really cold winter months, but should be fine right now. i will have my white gas stove. if anyone needs to use it, they're welcome to.

it could (usually does) get cold and windy. last year there was no rain, but seems like every year before there was. having warm clothes and rain gear would be my major concern.

creek dancer, sorry to hear of your aching eyes. hope they get better quick.

spam, hope things keep working out so you can make it. have some liver mash for me.”

“so far the weather is looking to be clear - for whatever that is worth - only question I have is how the spring at Rhodo Gap is doing and if there is still snow/ice left up there”

“The spring at Rodo is good , flowing like it was HOI the last time you and I were there. Also no snow, all melted, the temps are predicted to be in and around 50's high and 30's low.”

“So how many do you think are actually gonna make it this year?”

“Unfortunately due to financial woes. (just had to put a new roof on my shed) I will not be able to make it. I was really looking forward to meeting you all. I hope to make up some of the fundage by working some OT. Please have a great time. I will be there with you in spirit. (And cussing the whole time I'm at work)”

“from the state park turn,how do i get to scales”

“if you're talking about the park entrance off of 58, take 58 east to volney. turn left on 16 north. take 16 to troutdale and turn left on 603. take 603 for maybe a couple miles and turn left on 613?(i think it is 613. frig wrote what the road numbers were in an earlier post). 613 takes you up to scales where it ends.

sorry i'm going to miss meeting you jackstraw.

spam, don't know how many will end up being there, but i will.”

“I woke up with something today and even had to leave work. I was still planning to go this weekend until I woke up this evening. This won't be over in a day so I am bagging. I look forward to meeting some of you in the future.”

“i'll be coming in fri afternoon how long is the hike to the shelter and which trail do i take ?”

“I don't have map in hand right now lonewolf but iffin ya come in from the state park go up the hill and turn right on the AT north, Iffin ya are coming in via the scales turn left and head south on the AT. Personally I am coming in by the state park.It's an easy hike in and iffin we are at Rhodo Gap on Saturday night it's an easy route out.”

“what spam said..kind of. the quickest route to the wise shelter from scales is the scales trail. it is all down hill and shorter. it leaves from the south side of the corral on what will appear to be a road. it heads straight to the shelter (meets back up with the AT at the creek) where the AT heads up the hill and through the woods in a roundabout way to the shelter. The AT is the more scenic of the two. if you take the scales trail make sure you don't head up bearpen trail at the Y. stay right on the road looking trail. they will all eventually get you to the same place, so you won't get lost. go to the map link i posted earlier and look at it. you'll see what i'm talking about.

i may end up parking at the park also.

spam, do you have and eta? i'll plan to get there around the same time and hike in with you.”

“and hoi, what about you? when you getting there and where you parking?”

“beats me when I'll get there and I have not decided whether to go up to Scales or to hit the SP - best guess is that I'll park at Scales and arrive around noon but that is just a guess. As for camping I found some good hammock sites just across the bridge just outside of the SP area - I may set up there and just walk into Wise (0.1 mile iirc)”

“go back to bed. it's early”

“I got an e-mail from Dub saying he won't be making it. I plan on being there with a friend. I won't be able to hit the trailhead though until around midnigh though.”

“Thursday night Friday Morning Temps to be low 20's at an elevation 0f 3500 ft , so Mt Rogers at an elevation above 4 or 5,000 will be coooooooooL so bring them long handles you town folks.”

“Have a great time you guys. I really wish I could go on this trip but my eyes have not improved much.”

“Creek Dancer? I have a pair of Glacier Glasses you can borrow, blocks out every thing that could harm you eyes.”

“You are very nice to offer fridge, but I can't see much beyond a three feet in front of me and my sense of depth is off. For someone with near perfect eyesight, this has been an eye opener for what people with sight problems deal with everyday. I just hope I don't have any permanent damage from this stupid condition.”

“Baume I hope to be there in the neighborhood of 1400 hrs or 2 pm. I would be there alot sooner but I have to get my oil changed before I hit the road.

I'm packed and ready! Boy do I need some time in the woods!”

“i won't be there any sooner than that, probably a little later. one of my rear brakes started making an awful noise tonight and i'm goig to have to take it off and check it out before i leave. it's a 5 hour ride from here so hopefully i'll be able to get that done by 0900. i'll be in my expedition. if i get there sooner than 1400 i'll wait till then. what are you driving?

email me some cell numbers people so i can let someone know what's up. mccracdb_1 at msn.com.”

“i'll be parking in grayson”

“I'll be in a white 01 Chevy 2500HD with my name on the side "Harrison Pallet Services"

I've been off the computer all summer so my email is cancelled. I will go back and try to get it back on.You can call me on my cell @ 828-447-3187


Okay I'm back in Spamalam@hotmail.com
last edited: 11/10/05 9:24:41 PM”

“check your mail
last edited: 11/10/05 10:02:52 PM”

“got it!”

“i'm going to try scales i parked at the park last time”

“OK I'm headed out shortly - eta scales 10 am”

“Phantom, Calm Spirits, and I will be at scales by 11ish see everyone soon. YEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAA”