pjskeleton - May 29, 2023 11:06 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2020
US State Highpoint 5/20
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 - Nov 7, 2022 3:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2022
The Great Race for Six State High Points
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 - Nov 4, 2022 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2022
From Massie Gap parking area
#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 - Sep 21, 2022 8:36 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2022
Roger Wilco Summit and Out
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 - Oct 25, 2021 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2021
Awesome Autumn Run
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
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 - Jul 6, 2021 11:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2021
Highpoint #13
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
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 - Apr 15, 2021 4:35 am Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2021
HP #12 - Hike was great, summit could use some work
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 - Mar 29, 2021 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2021
Beautiful Day in Mt. Rogers Neighborhood
Loved everything about this hike - the vast meadows, the rocks, the views, and the wild horses. It was like the West came East.
Socorro - Feb 8, 2021 4:32 pm Date Climbed: Feb 8, 2021
More challenging than expected
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 - Jan 31, 2021 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2014
WIHighPointer - Jan 14, 2021 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2020
HP #14, Mount Rogers, VA
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 - Nov 13, 2020 10:22 am Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2020
Great hike with friends
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 - Oct 10, 2020 2:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2020
liked it
excellent hike, surprisingly chilly for June
pcrean - Apr 30, 2020 11:28 am Date Climbed: May 8, 2015
great hike, wish the weather was better. the ponies are cute
Walkoutnow - Jan 19, 2020 11:06 am Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2020
HP #37
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
Great hike, great ponies
Wallylongridge - Oct 20, 2019 6:25 am Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2019
Highpoint #30
I liked this hike, about 8 miles RT and seeing the ponies was a bonus.
pjskeleton - May 29, 2023 11:06 am Date Climbed: Jul 26, 2020
US State Highpoint 5/20First 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 - Nov 7, 2022 3:32 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2022
The Great Race for Six State High PointsDid 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 - Nov 4, 2022 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Nov 3, 2022
From Massie Gap parking area#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 - Sep 21, 2022 8:36 am Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2022
Roger Wilco Summit and OutHiked 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 - Oct 25, 2021 2:49 pm Date Climbed: Oct 24, 2021
Awesome Autumn RunJogged 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 #8Incredible 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 - Jul 6, 2021 11:59 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2021
Highpoint #13First 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 RogersA 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 - Apr 15, 2021 4:35 am Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2021
HP #12 - Hike was great, summit could use some workThe 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 - Mar 29, 2021 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Mar 22, 2021
Beautiful Day in Mt. Rogers NeighborhoodLoved everything about this hike - the vast meadows, the rocks, the views, and the wild horses. It was like the West came East.
Socorro - Feb 8, 2021 4:32 pm Date Climbed: Feb 8, 2021
More challenging than expectedOk, 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 - Jan 31, 2021 5:24 pm Date Climbed: Jul 6, 2014
Rogershttps://peakbagger.com/climber/ascent.aspx?aid=431269
WIHighPointer - Jan 14, 2021 8:02 pm Date Climbed: Nov 18, 2020
HP #14, Mount Rogers, VAHike 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 - Nov 13, 2020 10:22 am Date Climbed: Oct 17, 2020
Great hike with friendsGreat 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 - Oct 10, 2020 2:37 pm Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2020
liked itexcellent hike, surprisingly chilly for June
pcrean - Apr 30, 2020 11:28 am Date Climbed: May 8, 2015
Mount RogersEstimated date
travelingronman - Mar 15, 2020 10:39 am
HP#5great hike, wish the weather was better. the ponies are cute
Walkoutnow - Jan 19, 2020 11:06 am Date Climbed: Jan 18, 2020
HP #37This 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 #1Great hike, great ponies
Wallylongridge - Oct 20, 2019 6:25 am Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2019
Highpoint #30I liked this hike, about 8 miles RT and seeing the ponies was a bonus.