shmidtb - Jun 30, 2013 9:19 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2013
VA HP
Rainy and foggy. Summit wasn't much to look at, but later down the ridge was rewarded with great views and some wild ponies!
THalky - Jan 28, 2013 1:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2012
#8 - Tight schedule
We were trying to beat the remnants of a big storm that ran through so we didn't have as much time as I would have liked. Made it though, at a good clip, and really only had to deal with some drizzling till we got back to the car. This rounded out our first trip.
sangus - Jan 28, 2013 12:12 am Date Climbed: Jan 27, 2013
Ice Covered Mtn
The clouds were low so at the trail-head it was fogging but within the first mile you were above the cloud. It made for amazing view. To top it off, the entire mountain was cover in Ice shinning in the sun. Trees, bushes, grass, rocks, everything cover in ice. Trekking poles and micro spikes made it very nice to ascent and worry free. HP #7
xbaghat - Jan 20, 2013 10:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
twenty-eight
...
Jimmy Rivers - Jan 4, 2013 3:53 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2012
Bad Weather, and wild horses!
After so many nice weather days, we hit fog and rain on this one. We still ran up the peak bc we were short on time, but did manage to see some wild horses along the open meadows. At first we didn't know what was lurking in the distance in the fog, but then hung out with them for a few minutes and took pics. No views on top of Rogers either, as the highpoint is in the woods. We also ran into a bunch of AT thru hikers. State HP #8!
marilou - Nov 29, 2012 11:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2012
Gorgeous Views
Camped overnight. Absolutely gorgeous views in the meadows and the horses on the rolling grasslands is such a treat. What a special place! HP #11
technicolorNH - Nov 25, 2012 12:17 am Date Climbed: Nov 23, 2012
great hike
Ninety minute hike from the Massie Gap parking lot to the summit. It took me a couple of minutes to realize I was AT the summit once I got there. No views on top but walking through the meadows on the way up made this one of the best mountains I have ever hiked. Eighty minute descent.
funnyfarm - Oct 1, 2012 10:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2012
Second High Point
Nice hike, very pretty day. A little less haze would have made the vistas perfect. Not really very crowded for a Sunday afternoon with temps in the 70s. The summit is definitely unimpressive but it smells like Christmas!
chadbw - Aug 29, 2012 12:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2012
Ninth HP
Climbed up the Massie Gap trail from Grayson Highlands State Park. The hike was beautiful and we enjoyed the various settings: rocks, forest, and grassland. My wife about died when she saw the wild ponies(she's been riding since she was 7). The trail was easy to follow all the way and a lot of fun. Our definite favorite HP so far.
huskertriguy - Aug 21, 2012 8:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2012
Fun, easy, pretty hike!
Second on a bid through the "Southern Six-Pack." Hiked this the same day after coming down from Black Mountain, KY (which took no energy).
Massie Gap (from Grayson Highlands) to Wilburn Ridge to the summit. I took Rhododendron on the way down, which is a bit easier.
Boy is this a popular route! Negotiating the masses of relatively inexperienced backpackers may have been annoying, except it was a Saturday, so this is what you get. Also lots of people with small dogs, but at least that traffic thinned out after the first mile.
The summit may not offer much in terms of views, but the hike itself sure does.
I saw some wild ponies in the saddle (appropriately enough) between Mt. Rogers & Rhododendron Gap on my return. Adorable.
Finished in just under 3.5 hours.
SHP #25
Outdooraholic - Aug 13, 2012 9:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2012
#22
My 22nd state highpoint! We hiked it from The Scales.
islandborn11 - Aug 12, 2012 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2012
Foggy, misty, morning
Set out from Massie Gap and spent about three and a half hours there and back. Great hike, despite wet, windy conditions. Rocky, with some basic scrambling in parts. Challenging enough to make it satisfying but not really difficult. Saw two groups of wild ponies grazing; was surprised at how tame they were.
Took a slight detour on a 50-mile backpacking trip from Dickie's Gap to Damascus in order to summit this mountain. Beautiful area surrounding it. Nice hike to the top. Watch out for the ponies when hiking alone. They'll gang up on you, steal your oatmeal, and shank you before you can do anything about it, but, if you give them a quick tickle and a handful of berries they'll let you ride them to the top of Mt. Rogers and points beyond. Just don't stare them in the eye.
mattdalman - May 30, 2012 10:16 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2012
HP #27
Hiked from Massie Gap. So far, this is one of our favorites(top 5). Got to hang out with some friendly wild ponies for a while!
FactorJN - May 18, 2012 1:17 am Date Climbed: May 9, 2012
Another HP
Great hike, lots of Appalachian thru hikers.
Ledintheblood - Feb 9, 2012 11:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
For Rohan. For your people.
One of the best if not the best hikes in va. Went up with a buddy of mine, we hit the trail and made decent time. Through highland views and amazing vistas. It felt like Rohan, ponies and all. The ponies were farily tamed and friendly. The summit resembled a rainforest and its always good to be at the highest point in your state. Do it, cause you'll end up doing it again.
TrailtrekerNJ - Jan 22, 2012 2:14 pm Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2012
Scottish Highlands
Felt like I was a Highlander passing through the open meadows and bald ridgetops.
Started at the Massie Gap parking area with a base temp of 28 F and sunny.
Portions of the single track trail through the rocks was frozen, with the hole area frozen along the Mount Rogers Spur Trail.
Highlight of the trek was seeing the wild horses throughout the lower portion.
Robyn - Oct 16, 2011 12:55 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2011
HP #2
Was able to find all three markers and got to see the ponies! This was a beautiful area with plenty of variety in the scenery. We took the Wilburn Ridge Trail up and the AT back down, which would be my suggestion as the Wilburn Ridge Trail involves more climbing. Also be prepared for the wind!
This was the second time that my hiking and HP buddy, Mike, and I have hiked Mount Rogers (first time was in 1994?). With the increase of technology (digital cameras, etc.), we basically decided to redo and document the 18 HP's we had already completed along the east coast. The disposable camera/photos just didn't cut it. The weather today was just perfect, not a cloud in the sky. We hiked to the summit from the trailhead at Elk Garden and noticed that a portion of the AT had been re-routed since we had visited last. This initially threw us for a loop, since we headed straight toward the open meadows (in the Rhododendron Gap area). After taking a quick break, we started thru the meadow, following the woodline, but couldn't pick up the trail. After retracing our steps, we realized that the trail cut abruptly left, a couple hundred feet prior to the meadow, and continued thru the woods. The trail then continued thru the woods, until opening with views of the meadows, a few hundred feet before the trail cut-off to the summit. Wow, what a difference in the character of the trail! While I don't mind a walk in the woods, the former route was ALOT more scenic, with views of the open meadows. Nonetheless, we still had a great time!
Jow - Sep 21, 2011 11:11 am Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2011
shmidtb - Jun 30, 2013 9:19 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2013
VA HPRainy and foggy. Summit wasn't much to look at, but later down the ridge was rewarded with great views and some wild ponies!
THalky - Jan 28, 2013 1:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2012
#8 - Tight scheduleWe were trying to beat the remnants of a big storm that ran through so we didn't have as much time as I would have liked. Made it though, at a good clip, and really only had to deal with some drizzling till we got back to the car. This rounded out our first trip.
sangus - Jan 28, 2013 12:12 am Date Climbed: Jan 27, 2013
Ice Covered MtnThe clouds were low so at the trail-head it was fogging but within the first mile you were above the cloud. It made for amazing view. To top it off, the entire mountain was cover in Ice shinning in the sun. Trees, bushes, grass, rocks, everything cover in ice. Trekking poles and micro spikes made it very nice to ascent and worry free. HP #7
xbaghat - Jan 20, 2013 10:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2009
twenty-eight...
Jimmy Rivers - Jan 4, 2013 3:53 pm Date Climbed: Jun 1, 2012
Bad Weather, and wild horses!After so many nice weather days, we hit fog and rain on this one. We still ran up the peak bc we were short on time, but did manage to see some wild horses along the open meadows. At first we didn't know what was lurking in the distance in the fog, but then hung out with them for a few minutes and took pics. No views on top of Rogers either, as the highpoint is in the woods. We also ran into a bunch of AT thru hikers. State HP #8!
marilou - Nov 29, 2012 11:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2012
Gorgeous ViewsCamped overnight. Absolutely gorgeous views in the meadows and the horses on the rolling grasslands is such a treat. What a special place! HP #11
technicolorNH - Nov 25, 2012 12:17 am Date Climbed: Nov 23, 2012
great hikeNinety minute hike from the Massie Gap parking lot to the summit. It took me a couple of minutes to realize I was AT the summit once I got there. No views on top but walking through the meadows on the way up made this one of the best mountains I have ever hiked. Eighty minute descent.
funnyfarm - Oct 1, 2012 10:53 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2012
Second High PointNice hike, very pretty day. A little less haze would have made the vistas perfect. Not really very crowded for a Sunday afternoon with temps in the 70s. The summit is definitely unimpressive but it smells like Christmas!
chadbw - Aug 29, 2012 12:54 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2012
Ninth HPClimbed up the Massie Gap trail from Grayson Highlands State Park. The hike was beautiful and we enjoyed the various settings: rocks, forest, and grassland. My wife about died when she saw the wild ponies(she's been riding since she was 7). The trail was easy to follow all the way and a lot of fun. Our definite favorite HP so far.
huskertriguy - Aug 21, 2012 8:12 pm Date Climbed: Aug 18, 2012
Fun, easy, pretty hike!Second on a bid through the "Southern Six-Pack." Hiked this the same day after coming down from Black Mountain, KY (which took no energy).
Massie Gap (from Grayson Highlands) to Wilburn Ridge to the summit. I took Rhododendron on the way down, which is a bit easier.
Boy is this a popular route! Negotiating the masses of relatively inexperienced backpackers may have been annoying, except it was a Saturday, so this is what you get. Also lots of people with small dogs, but at least that traffic thinned out after the first mile.
The summit may not offer much in terms of views, but the hike itself sure does.
I saw some wild ponies in the saddle (appropriately enough) between Mt. Rogers & Rhododendron Gap on my return. Adorable.
Finished in just under 3.5 hours.
SHP #25
Outdooraholic - Aug 13, 2012 9:27 pm Date Climbed: Aug 13, 2012
#22My 22nd state highpoint! We hiked it from The Scales.
islandborn11 - Aug 12, 2012 2:26 pm Date Climbed: Aug 10, 2012
Foggy, misty, morningSet out from Massie Gap and spent about three and a half hours there and back. Great hike, despite wet, windy conditions. Rocky, with some basic scrambling in parts. Challenging enough to make it satisfying but not really difficult. Saw two groups of wild ponies grazing; was surprised at how tame they were.
Ibswoha - Jul 29, 2012 8:18 pm Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2012
HP #3Took a slight detour on a 50-mile backpacking trip from Dickie's Gap to Damascus in order to summit this mountain. Beautiful area surrounding it. Nice hike to the top. Watch out for the ponies when hiking alone. They'll gang up on you, steal your oatmeal, and shank you before you can do anything about it, but, if you give them a quick tickle and a handful of berries they'll let you ride them to the top of Mt. Rogers and points beyond. Just don't stare them in the eye.
mattdalman - May 30, 2012 10:16 pm Date Climbed: May 26, 2012
HP #27Hiked from Massie Gap. So far, this is one of our favorites(top 5). Got to hang out with some friendly wild ponies for a while!
FactorJN - May 18, 2012 1:17 am Date Climbed: May 9, 2012
Another HPGreat hike, lots of Appalachian thru hikers.
Ledintheblood - Feb 9, 2012 11:08 pm Date Climbed: Sep 25, 2011
For Rohan. For your people.One of the best if not the best hikes in va. Went up with a buddy of mine, we hit the trail and made decent time. Through highland views and amazing vistas. It felt like Rohan, ponies and all. The ponies were farily tamed and friendly. The summit resembled a rainforest and its always good to be at the highest point in your state. Do it, cause you'll end up doing it again.
TrailtrekerNJ - Jan 22, 2012 2:14 pm Date Climbed: Jan 19, 2012
Scottish HighlandsFelt like I was a Highlander passing through the open meadows and bald ridgetops.
Started at the Massie Gap parking area with a base temp of 28 F and sunny.
Portions of the single track trail through the rocks was frozen, with the hole area frozen along the Mount Rogers Spur Trail.
Highlight of the trek was seeing the wild horses throughout the lower portion.
Robyn - Oct 16, 2011 12:55 pm Date Climbed: Oct 15, 2011
HP #2Was able to find all three markers and got to see the ponies! This was a beautiful area with plenty of variety in the scenery. We took the Wilburn Ridge Trail up and the AT back down, which would be my suggestion as the Wilburn Ridge Trail involves more climbing. Also be prepared for the wind!
jds3038 - Sep 25, 2011 1:05 pm Date Climbed: Jul 30, 2011
#5This was the second time that my hiking and HP buddy, Mike, and I have hiked Mount Rogers (first time was in 1994?). With the increase of technology (digital cameras, etc.), we basically decided to redo and document the 18 HP's we had already completed along the east coast. The disposable camera/photos just didn't cut it. The weather today was just perfect, not a cloud in the sky. We hiked to the summit from the trailhead at Elk Garden and noticed that a portion of the AT had been re-routed since we had visited last. This initially threw us for a loop, since we headed straight toward the open meadows (in the Rhododendron Gap area). After taking a quick break, we started thru the meadow, following the woodline, but couldn't pick up the trail. After retracing our steps, we realized that the trail cut abruptly left, a couple hundred feet prior to the meadow, and continued thru the woods. The trail then continued thru the woods, until opening with views of the meadows, a few hundred feet before the trail cut-off to the summit. Wow, what a difference in the character of the trail! While I don't mind a walk in the woods, the former route was ALOT more scenic, with views of the open meadows. Nonetheless, we still had a great time!
Jow - Sep 21, 2011 11:11 am Date Climbed: Sep 16, 2011
HP #15Foggy, Cold, and No Ponies. But I will take it