Solo Backpacking the Grayson Highlands - Camping with Wild Ponies
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Published 2021-10-07
Thanks Revtown for sponsoring this video! www.revtownusa.com/Sintax77
For this 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip, I headed out for some hiking and solo camping in the Lewis Fork Wilderness and Mt Rogers National Recreation Area, within the larger George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
More trail info & GPS data
www.sintax77.com/camping-with-wild-ponies-solo-bac…
With an emphasis on exploring the wild pony grazing areas surrounding Pine Mountain rather than grinding out mileage, I created a modest loop by combining a portion of the Appalachian Trail with the Virginia Highlands Trail. This gave me a super laid route with my campsites for the first and second nights located in the same general area, separated by less than a couple of miles.
I had a backup plan to do a larger 22 mile loop similar to the one I did in this area a few years back, but I knew from that trip that there was a good possibility I would want to slow things down and soak in the sights around Pine Mountain. Overall, I was very happy with my choice, but there are many more spots to explore if you’re planning your own trip. Here’s my previous larger loop • Hiking the Grayson Highlands - Solo B...
The Grayson Highlands are known for high winds & unpredictable, rapidly changing weather, but luckily for me, the mid September forecast called for an ideal temperature range of 55 to 80 degrees. This allowed me to use an ultralight backpacking setup with minimal extra clothing and gear. My shelter for this trip was my Outdoor Vitals 1p tent in “fast and light” mode – which just means that I left the main tent body with bugnet at home and set it up using only the tent fly, poles and ground cloth.
Trailhead: Elk Garden 36°38'46.7"N 81°34'59.0"W
No fee or permit required for parking or backcountry camping. Hike begins on the other side of the road.
Trails Day 1
Appalachian Trail North (white blazes)
Setup camp about 200 yards before the Thomas Knob Shelter.
I set up my tent on the ridge in a medium sized clearing with an established fire pit right near the boundary sign for Jefferson National Forest. There are many other established camping spots for tents or hammocks in the woods on the other side of the trail leading up to the shelter. A reliable piped spring is 150 yards behind the shelter. A bear box for food storage is nearby as well.
Day 1 Mileage: 4.3 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,487'
Day 1 Gross Descent: 550'
Trails Day 2
Continue on the Appalachian Trail North
Right (south) on Crest Trail
Setup Camp near the intersection of Crest Trail and Rhododendron Gap Trail
A large campsite with amazing views, a campfire pit, a nearby bear box, and water source. Follow the spur trail in front of the campsite downhill and past the metal gate to the creek.
Day 2 Mileage: 1.6 miles
Day 2 Elevation Gain: 313'
Day 2 Gross Descent: 329'
Trails Day 3
Southwest on Crest Trail
Right (northwest) on Virginia Highlands Horse Trail
In the video I mentioned a possible creek crossing, but it's best to just refill water at camp.
Return to the Elk Garden Trailhead
Day 3 Mileage: 4.7 miles
Day 3 Elevation Gain: 234'
Day 3 Gross Descent: 1,152'
Trip Total Mileage: 10.6 miles
Trip Total Elevation Gain: 2,034'
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
Notable Backpacking Gear
Mt Rogers High Country Map amzn.to/3ovxrNI
ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack www.ula-equipment.com/product/ohm-2-0/
Dutchware Pack Cover dutchwaregear.com/product/waterproof-pack-cover/
Outdoor Vitals 1p Tent bit.ly/2WHh940
Hammock Gear Burrow 40 Top Quilt www.hammockgear.com/premium-burrow/
Unigear Sleeping Pad amzn.to/2Nu3nvV
DIY Cat Can Alcohol Stove
Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel Striker amzn.to/30S3rxm
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Vargo Windscreen amzn.to/2M3uRuG
Sea to Summit Long Handled Spork go.magik.ly/ml/v9xv/
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets with PA Plus amzn.to/3uYZ1TP
RevolutionRace GP Pants amzn.to/3Daldz8
RevolutionRace Campfire Shirt bit.ly/RRPLAYGROUND
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes amzn.to/3hyKrMi
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Benchmade Bugout EDC Folding Knife amzn.to/2JVfBS5
Casio ProTrek F-30 Smartwatch amzn.to/3dtY7Xj
Spot X Satellite Messenger amzn.to/3adSjBr
Packit Gourmet Backpacking Meals www.packitgourmet.com/
Korean Coffee Sticks amzn.to/2VXijcS
Camera Gear
GoPro Hero 8 Black amzn.to/2D8n6lL
GoPro Shorty Tripod Grip amzn.to/2MPhGOM
All Comments (21)
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I don't know how it's been almost 5 years since my last trip here, but it was long overdue. Thank you Revtown for sponsoring this trip video! You can check them out here www.revtownusa.com/Sintax77
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Actually the tallest east of the Mississippi is Mount Mitchell, NC at 6684 feet.
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You were in my ''backyard''. I grew up very near there and have hiked that area for over 40 years.
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Awsome trip report! The Highlands are defintly an awsome place and a bucketlist for backpackers in the region.
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Another enjoyable trip - thanks for taking us with you. I kept waiting for the rain - happy to see how close it was with the through the windshield shot.
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What a beautiful trip thanks for sharing
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That was enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.
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Did this trip three years ago. Absolutely loved it!
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That wooded area is so pretty. Love the sound of the weather. Missed you, mister. Going to enjoy this one.
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Great hike in a lovely natural area. Scenery was amazing and heating thst horse chew off the grass was awesome. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Bushyboy Oz.
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Grayson Highlands/Mount Rogers is my absolute favorite area to hike in the East. I first hiked it after watching your first video 5 years ago.
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Heading here this weekend, glad you got to enjoy some time in my home state! Thanks for a great video this’ll get me through my Friday morning
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Love the trips! Perfect timing with the rain.
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Always a pleasure to see what you're getting into. Just did Humphreys peak in AZ, its no 14er but 12600 was plenty for me! Take care and thanks for sharing.
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Looked like a fun trip. Thanks for sharing. Do more please. Pleasssse . I hope my area gets lots of snow this winter... Can't wait to do some winter stealth camping trips
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Thanks for the beautiful walk and the pony shots.
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Nice under the spring water shot, and a great edit from sun to fire.
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My most favorite state park in the whole world..I absolutely love Grayson Highlands.. a magical place.
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Great trip as always. Just wanted to mention that there are a few mountains in NC taller than Mt Washington
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Going to the top of Mt Roger's was a cool experience as the highest point I'm state but there is no views and when u hit the plaque and look around its like a hobbit Forrest. Really interesting summit.
