Mount Rogers Climber's Log

Viewing: 1-20 of 197

Cateanderika.50hp - Jul 8, 2024 6:04 am Date Climbed: Apr 14, 2024

Amazing hike  Sucess!

Navigation was key but easy to follow. Easy to get there with lots of parking. Cute park if you wanted to chill near the trail head. Very muddy day. Intersects with AT so you get to see some cool people. Thomas knob shelters has latrines for a bit more privacy to do your stuff but it is a few miles into the hike. Lots of rock scrambles near the top. Super cool’s scenery all around especially at the top. The USGS marker is a scavenger hunt in itself. It’s not marked at all other than just finding it. It’s on a taller rock maybe a half mile once you get into the forest. Look at pictures online to see the rock a bit better. Saw wild ponies and snow. Very windy when walking across the plains also had to climb a boulder. Very fun hike highly recommend. Highpoint #18

pjskeleton

pjskeleton - May 29, 2023 11:06 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2020

US State Highpoint 5/20  Sucess!

First attempt the day before on 7/25/2020: arrived too late, in the rain, via motorcycle. Haven’t mentioned it yet, but I’ve done every highpoint by getting to the trailhead or the point itself when allowed via motorcycle. In my hubris, I thought I could no-prep it as a trail run in motorcycle gear. Didn’t change clothes or boots, tried to start ascent at 7pm in 55 degrees, got hailed on, dark came fast, I fell down a ravine, ran out of water, curled up on a rock and was sad all night. Fortunately my motorcycle gear was relatively waterproof and somewhat insulated.

Chastened by my nearly terminal idiocy, I returned to the trail at dawn. I got back to my bike, changed clothes and boots and refilled water, ate properly, checked weather, saved maps offline, brought adequate food, and therefore had a lovely hike through fields full of ponies and flowers with no clouds in sight and at a perfect 75 degrees with barely any humidity.

Murphy’s Law got me good this time. Fortunately, I have managed to not screw up a highpoint again this badly. Yet.

yadahzoemtn

yadahzoemtn - Nov 7, 2022 3:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2022

The Great Race for Six State High Points  Sucess!

Did Sassafras and Mount Mitchell yesterday. We were delighted to see the wild ponies and hike to this secluded summit. Headed to Black Mountain next.

Moogie737

Moogie737 - Nov 4, 2022 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2022

From Massie Gap parking area  Sucess!

#1 11-03-22 W/Lana. 5+17 r/t. 30 minutes on summit. Only a benchmark there - no sign. Then drove to touch Black Mountain in Kentucky. Saw two groups of wild ponies.

Dundeel

Dundeel - Sep 21, 2022 8:36 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2022

Roger Wilco Summit and Out  Sucess!

Hiked from Elk Garden. No ponies seen. It was comfortable weather for most of the hike but the summit forest was noticably about 10 degrees cooler. State highpoint #30

tudge

tudge - Oct 25, 2021 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2021

Awesome Autumn Run  Sucess!

Jogged up and down from Elk Garden TH. Nice mix of terrain. Gorgeous views in late October

jgoodsnyder - Sep 21, 2021 7:00 am Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2021

High Point #8  Sucess!

Incredible hike with my dad! Lots of great views all the way up (besides the last half mile or so through the trees up to the high point, but this was expected). Also super cool terrain and great temperature plus 'wild' ponies! Went through Massie Gap/Grayson Highlands.

MW

MW - Jul 6, 2021 11:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2021

Highpoint #13  Sucess!

First highpoint of 2021 and in almost two years. Beautiful and varied scenery, with dense pine forests and open scenic highlands with wild ponies. Absolutely poured for much of it with thunder and lightning but absolutely one of the best highpoints in the East and my second favorite so far after Katahdin.

jabfoster - Jun 27, 2021 7:06 pm Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2021

Mt Rogers  Sucess!

A beautiful June day to do this hike starting in Grayson Highlands State Park. Saw ponies and long horns. Loved the variation of terrain. No view at the summit but nice views along the way and a fun trail in general.

PaHiker

PaHiker - Apr 15, 2021 4:35 am Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2021

HP #12 - Hike was great, summit could use some work  Sucess!

The hike was great, cool temps and the trip up was nicely private. The summit could use some work, the trail blazes end a couple hundred feet before the summit. There is no indication as to where the summit is once you get there, and the marker is on the back side of the boulder. Lots of downed trees makes it hard to realize you were actually at the top.

Once you come to the boulders look to the right, there is a higher boulder, the marker is on the back side not quite at the top of the boulder.

Stu Brandel

Stu Brandel - Mar 29, 2021 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2021

Beautiful Day in Mt. Rogers Neighborhood  Sucess!

Loved everything about this hike - the vast meadows, the rocks, the views, and the wild horses. It was like the West came East.

Socorro

Socorro - Feb 8, 2021 4:32 pm Date Climbed: Feb 8, 2021

More challenging than expected  Sucess!

Ok, I expected snow. And long distance. And cold. Somehow that didn't add so I felt caught off guard with exactly how deep the snow was, and how far of a hike it was. It took my dog and me 3 hours to get to the top, breaking trail for most of it. Sometime snow dunes as deep as my waist covered the trail. But, it was sunny and very pleasant. Enjoyed the views and the adventure, but now we are pretty pooped.

bdreese2

bdreese2 - Jan 31, 2021 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2014

Rogers  Sucess!

https://peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=431269

WIHighPointer - Jan 14, 2021 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2020

HP #14, Mount Rogers, VA  Sucess!

Hike was interesting, the Shetland Ponies assigned to clearing an invasive species also leave their mark, everywhere.

The USGS marker is difficult to find. The trail comes to an end in a heavily wooded area. Any possible trails leading away end quickly.
Once you climb up the short ascent to where the trail ends, there is no bench, no mailbox, no markings, no indication you are at the end other than the trail dead ends. I told other hikers that when they reach that point, retrace your steps to the end of the obvious trail, walk forward about ten feet, look 90 degrees to to your left, and you will see a large flat rock rock about the size of a 1970s large car yet only as tall as a Ferrari. Climb on top of the that, center yourself in the middle, and then look at your feet. There you will find the USGS Marker.

Geo412

Geo412 - Nov 13, 2020 10:22 am Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2020

Great hike with friends  Sucess!

Great hike. Peaked with Leah (my awesome wife), Dave, Kat and Skylar. Beautiful day. The horses (and bulls) were really cool. Loved every minute of it. Peak was in the middle of the woods but it was still the peak!!!

whatdoIknow

whatdoIknow - Oct 10, 2020 2:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2020

liked it  Sucess!

excellent hike, surprisingly chilly for June

pcrean - Apr 30, 2020 11:28 am Date Climbed: May 8, 2015

Mount Rogers  Sucess!

Estimated date

travelingronman - Mar 15, 2020 10:39 am

HP#5  Sucess!

great hike, wish the weather was better. the ponies are cute

Walkoutnow

Walkoutnow - Jan 19, 2020 11:06 am Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2020

HP #37  Sucess!

This was an enjoyable hike.. I took the trail from Massie gap. I used Gaia and had it at 8.21 miles RT. 1,210 ft ascent. It took me 1:30 up and 1:20 down. Spent 10 minutes at summit.
So, what I like about the trail is the terrain mixes up quite a bit. Lots of rocky outcroppings and crossings, some enclosed spots surrounded by rhododendrons and whatnots, etc. Semi-wild ponies are also in the area. I saw 4-5, and walked right past them, as they are used to people. If you are there on a clear day, you will have certain spots where you get panoramic views. And, if you go in winter as I did, you get the whole area mostly to yourself. I really enjoyed the day, even though the wind and sleet/rain hit me on the way down.

tsbocook - Jan 6, 2020 9:29 am Date Climbed: Jun 25, 2017

HP #1  Sucess!

Great hike, great ponies

Viewing: 1-20 of 197
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