Mount Rogers

“Is anyone interested in setting a up a trip to the mount rogers area in the next few weeks”

“YEP/////////////////I live there.......”

“Any word on this trip?”

“dude sounds awesome, any of u like female...since i'm female and....don't want to hike/camp with strange unknown men? lol.”

“Why do you ask you wouldn't go anyway.
last edited: 10/28/06 4:43:42 AM”

“What are the trails like on the Iron Mountain side of 603? You up for a guided tour of the area?”

“Iron Mt Trail from the AT intersection of Iron Mountain, heading south to Skulls Gap is a very nice trek with a spur trail leading to a water fall one of the biggest within the Mt Rogers Recreation area. From Skulls Gap to bear tree lake then on in to Damascus......most of the hike is above 3,500ft and not many backpackers do this section........”

“It appears that the AT from Damascus to Massey Gap is about 33-35 miles...? The trip you describe above is about how many miles, say from Grindstone Campground, up to Iron Mountain Trail into Damascus? ...and when we going?”

“it's called the western loupe ...........from Grindstone approx 30 miles pending all the scenic side trails leading to waterfalls and the Valley views..........I do this section in January NO HUNTERS, not even backpackers, ,,,,,,,


you want to do this one wait after hunting season my opinion.......”

“I posted this over a month ago and just now getting replies”

“I have a new job..........Taking kids on backpacking trips and canoeing, Mt biking so I do not check in to Trail talk every day.....................E mail me I do check my e mail with my cell phone..........”

“Dayam Fridge...Mt biking and backpacking. You're my kinda guy!

OK Propain, in January you, me and Fridge; 30 miler into Damascus. Everyone in?”

“I live in Damasskiss. When's this hike gonna happen?”

“welcome back L. Wolf - getting tired of "The Thread" over on WB?”

“January?

Keep me posted, I might be able to make this.”

“sounds good to me when it gets closer to Jan we will have to refine a date”

“Is this something we could do over New Year's Day week-end? I'm game...”

“Is Cherry Tree Shelter a party spot? Looks pretty close to the road. Same question for Straight Branch Shelter...”

“every shelter with tter's is a party spot...................”

“...meet in Damascus, noon 12.30.06 and shuttle to Grayson Highlands. Hike in 5 to 6 miles and overnight between Deep Gap and Elk Garden. Next day about 10 miles to Saunders Shelter. Use the shelter or your tent. Monday, 1.1.07, out to Damascus 7 to 10 miles.

If the weather on Mt. Rogers is bad, then I have a back-up hike planned; Chattooga River Trail (thanks for the idea Josh) which is an easy river-side hike.

I have 1 other person confirmed beside myself. Fridge is a maybe. Anyone else interested?

E-mail jim_harris at fastmail dot fm
last edited: 12/15/06 10:56:29 AM”

“sorry - I'll be celebrating the New Year down on Springer”

“Let me check with Teasa and see what we are doing or are we doing anything. I have always wanted to hike that route.”

“The weather is never bad! Just rough, but never bad.”

“jimh you gots mail.............”

“Gimme some dates.

Hike out Monday, 1-1-07...........what else?

Never been to Rogers.”

“ohhhhhhh Mt. Rogers or NY ROGERS OR NY ROGERS OR NY. What to do what to do. Is there snow? That can be the deciding factor. Snow vs. no snow. I vote for snow. OKOKOK sooo i could save hiking Mt. Rogers again for Jan. I was just there in Nov. I need new places. OHHHHHH!”

“MarkO/ I have several Days off and can offer you many options.............................................................................”

“uhhhh Mt. Rogers....theheheh if i go here again now...where will I go in January....”

“Its a possibility......”

“As of now, Harriman is not likely to have snow on New Year's. I mean the weather pattern could always shift overnight and it could get cold, but right now, I wouldn't bet the house on it.

In fact, the way the weather's been around here as of late, we'll be lucky not to be camping in the mud. This afternoon, we got up to 61F here in Northern New Jersey.

That said though, I suddenly feel intrigued by this trip...”

“lol. Yeah Im startin to think Mt. Rogers is the way to go. I can't see drivn all the way up to NY to drink...and not see anythin spectacular--and NO SNOW to boot. Geeze. lol. Come on down Phantom, I'm sure we could work out some sorta carpool situation. lol.”

“...for this thing. Others?”

“There will be more JIM.............”

“Grayson Highlands Back Packing Parking lot, AT spur Trail to the AT, .08 mile.

Take a left at the AT intersection heading south bound for 2.7 miles to Rodo Gap.

Continue on The AT south bound for 5 miles to Elk Garden where you will cross RT 600.

From Elk Garden to Saunders Shelter 13.2 miles.
From Saunders Shelter to Damascus 9.9 miles.


The details for the first night camp will be posted soon. Somewhere in and around Elk Garden. 2nd Night at Saunders Shelter, then on in to Damascus. I plan on buying everyone a Dinner those who have the time to do so.

Those driving to Grayson Highlands to park , will have a $3.00 per night parking fee. I have a shuttle set to get everyone back to Grayson Highlands.”

“31.6 miles............all those yankees who DARE to show up.............I am bringing Takillya,,,,,,,,,,,hey Phantom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

“Did someone say Mt. Rogers????? Oh man, I am tempted.”

“8^)”

“Creek Dancer / You have mail..........”

“My teeth can't afford it...

Ideally I'd leave my car in Damascus for an easy exit...

Battling this cold here -- hope its not anything more serious than that. This is a section of the AT that I've never done before and I really want to make it for this. I guess that how I feel next week will ultimately decide the fate of this trip for me...”

“Those who want to can leave their cars in Damascus. I can shuttle as many as 9 people to the park from Damascus. Only question is, will we need to start earlier than noon from Damascus in order to make the first day's 8.5 miles to Saturday night's campsite.

Comments?”

“YES you need to start earlier, lots of Views along the first segment. I have started this segment in the past no later than 10am and arrived at ELK GARDEN by 3pm and since there is no camping at Elk Garden, there is a good site 1.5 miles up WhiteTop with a spring, so that will put you say around 4 ish not counting the View stops along Grayson Highlands and Wilburn Ridge, Fat Man Squeeze, Thomas Knob , Mt Rogers summit.........all these areas are so beautiful for a 360 degree view, too nice to Marathon it,(my opinion). Also getting an early start will land you at WhiteTop for a good nights sleep for the big hump to Saubders Shelter, PARTY THAT NIGHT.”

“does this thread go with a trip?”

“This is jimh Trip and has not been posted on the trip page, Starts DEC 30th in Grayson Highlands Backpacking parking lot, Time to be there will be descided by tomorrow, right JIMH? Trek south Bound some 10 miles to a camp area with a spring at White Top Elk Garden area, from there next day some 13 miles to Saunders shelter and PARTY, hey it is NEWS YEARS EVE..........head to Damascus on the 1st..............”

“Wanna go? Then jump in. I have 6 confirmed which includes me and Fridge. What other questions do you have?”

“jimh, ENS and I are prolly gonna show for this--I will prolly be doing some sorta alternate route though--or some freaky sorta shuttle situation in case i can't hack the mileage :)”

“I'm looking forward to meeting you both.

Fridge has been after me to make a decision about what time and where we are meeting. He's convinced me that my original plan needed tweaking.

Meeting at the backpacker's parking area at Grayson Highlands State Park @ 10:00a.m. on Saturday, 12.30.06. Going about 8.5 miles to Elk Park/ Whitetop Mountain for 1st nights campsite. Sunday's is about a 10 mile day to Saunder's Shelter and then another 10 miler on Monday to Damascus where we will shuttle back to our cars at the State Park. Fridge has the shuttle taken care of (right Fridge?).”

“shuttle taken care of.............FREE”

“I've done this trip several times. You may want to consider parking at the Mt. Rogers Outfitters Hostel (about $3 per night for parking) and getting them to shuttle you to Elk Garden. You can stay at the Hostel for $10 per night, if you get there a day early. I don't remember how much the shuttle was, but compared to the shuffling of several vehicles, it has to be cheaper. If you knew how many people you were shuttling, you could probably get a better deal.

On the trips I took, The first night we stayed near Buzzard Rock; the second night we stayed at Feathercamp Creek, which put us about five or six miles from Damascus-for an easy out.

Have fun! I wish I could do it again.
Hopefully, I will have some new gear in a couple of days that will need testing sometime in January.”

“BS/ no need to park at Mt Rogers Outfitters, I have realestate there and have it all bagged up. Although nothing wrong with Mt Rogers Outfitters, they are good and I know them quite well, but since I own 2 homes there no need to pay.”

“Fridge,
Sounds like you have it covered. In 2007, I am planning to do from Erwin, Tn to Damascus (112 miles). I may need some info for that area. Do you live in Damascus? And, do you do shuttles and such? And, could you do a 112 mile trip in about seven days time?
last edited: 12/23/06 7:16:37 AM”