Saturday, 21 September 2019
Mount Rogers is the highest point in Virginia (5729 ft above mean sea level). The best way to hike to the summit is from Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park. The trail to the top is 4.5 miles one-way, most of which is along the Appalachian Trail. Although long, the 1200 ft climb is relatively easy, but rocky, with a number of relatively flat stretches along "saddles" in the terrain.
Mount Rogers is the highest point in Virginia (5729 ft above mean sea level). The best way to hike to the summit is from Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park. The trail to the top is 4.5 miles one-way, most of which is along the Appalachian Trail. Although long, the 1200 ft climb is relatively easy, but rocky, with a number of relatively flat stretches along "saddles" in the terrain.
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| The trail starts in Grayson Highlands State Park, but after about a mile it leaves the state park and enters the Mt Rogers National Recreation Area. This is one of the small hills along Wilburn Ridge. |
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| The most challenging part of the trail was getting over this ridge of rock along Wilburn Ridge. The white paint is the trail blaze for the Appalachian Trail. |
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| Mt Rogers is in the distance, with a cloud (fog) over the summit. |
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| The hike is all about the vistas as you climb up through alpine meadows. The mountain in the middle of the photo is Haw Orchard Mountain, the center of Grayson Highlands State Park. |
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| Another panoramic view as we climb the mountain. |
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| The area is known for its wild ponies. They like to hang out around popular camp sites and shelters. |
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| We knew to expect ponies, but were surprised that longhorn cattle are also grazing the high open meadows. Don't want to get too close to those horns! |
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| Proof that we made it to the top! |
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| The top of Mt Rogers is a dense spruce/fir/hemlock forest. It smells like Christmas, but views are non-existent. |
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