woodstrider - Oct 10, 2006 8:36 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 1998
Pony up the Mountain
My friend Bob and I visited this summit as part of a "southern" road-trip. We hit it just right, for eventhough it was a wet foggy and a chill day, the Rhododendrums and mountain azelas were in full bloom and there ponies every where. Stayed at a state campground (Grayson Highlands)that was very nice. We hiked up from Massie Gap to the AT and then took the summit spur trail. After passing thru an area of bramble, I was pleasantly surprised by lovely evergreens covered summit.
From Massie Gap via Wilburn Ridge is a beautiful hike. We saw three herds of ponies (two herds twice) and the ridge is spectacular, if not particularly strenuous.
NavySeabee - Jul 21, 2006 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2005
Route Climbed: Massie Gap / AT
Made the very long (400+ mile trek from VA Beach) to climb Mount Rogers and Black Mountain (KY) under the threat of T-storms. Thankfully, they stayed to the southern ridges. Fun hike over some rugged terrain. Loved watching the ponies in the meadows. HP #6
granddeity - Jul 5, 2006 10:02 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2006
from massie gap
Suprisingly nice hike, with great views from the trail, but alas not from the highpoint itself. We liked seeing the ponies. Highpoint #8 for us.
nartreb - May 8, 2006 2:12 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2006
from Massie Gap
Very easy stroll through mostly-open pastures, with rocky outcrops offering variety and bouldering. Hard to tell which point on the ridge is highest, hardly even felt like I was in the mountains until the skies cleared and the views opened up. A small area at the summit is covered in dark, mossy spruce & fir that reminded me of Maine - very different from the woods on nearby slopes.
Holsti97 - Apr 23, 2006 10:53 am Date Climbed: Apr 12, 2006
Mount Rogers
Drove to Damascus, VA from Asheville, NC and had breakfast. Climbed from Massie Gap trailhead. Saw some ponies right away. Walked north up to the AT. Hiked AT up Wilburn Ridge to Thomas Knob shelter. USFS helicopter flew over and dropped several fire fighters off in front of us. Talked to one and was told that they were going to do a controlled burn. "You will have to turn around." I told him that I wasn't going to turn around, I came to summit. He let me go and said that I might have to stay on top for awhile. We continued on to the Mt. Rogers Spur Trail and reached the summit and had lunch. Hiked down through the burned area. Very smoky. Saw more ponies on the way back down. Warm day, but cloudy. One of my favorite hikes of our HP trip. HP #11.
This was a really cool place, I recommend it for anyone that is interested in a nice hike. Saw many ponies, beautiful views and got a decent workout for the day. This is, by no means mountain climbing, but a very nice place to go for a hike. Continued on to highpoints in NC and TN on this trip.
Eleutheros - Mar 17, 2006 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 1995
Grayson Highlands
Hiked this with my family and my dog, Boca, after camping in the highlands. Sunshine and a cool wind.
hgrapid - Mar 8, 2006 2:52 am Date Climbed: Jan 21, 2002
Winter Highpoint
This is the best mountain range in Virgnia!
WoundedKnee - Feb 20, 2006 1:12 pm Date Climbed: Feb 19, 2006
2 day amalgam of AT, Rogers Trail and Pine Mountain Trail
Did a short backpacking trip. There was some snow, and it was colder than I expected (7 degrees) at the Old Orchard shelter where we stayed. Great views from the grassy balds nearby; the only views to be had on Rogers are on the way up.
Horses, Cows, Boy Scouts, and Through-Hikers, Climbed: Fall of 2003
My wife and I were living in Virginia at the time and decided to climb the highest point in the state. The summit leaves a lot to be desired (like a view), and you never know what or who you'll run into on the AT.
Route Climbed: AT from Wilburn ridge Date Climbed: November 2005
Grayson highlands is a very special area, unique in the south. Trail ran to summit from Wilburn ridge. Beautiful views of ponies, balds, rock crags, and distant mountains from highlands. Actual summit is covered in dense, beautiful spruce/fir forest so nothing to see on top.
Route Climbed: Grayson Highlands Date Climbed: September 2005
Very different than your standard Appalachian Hiking. the openess of the meadows with the rock outcroppings is remeniscent of points further west. Its also one of the few Southern Highpoints you actually have to hike to get to, so it has a rare wilderness feel.
Route Climbed: AT via Massie Gap Date Climbed: October 20, 2005
Wow! What a spectacular hike. Yeah there's no views on summit, but the whole hike there is great views! Even saw the wild ponies at the very end of the day. If you haven't been to Mt. Rogers, go there. Now!
Route Climbed: Massie Gap AT Date Climbed: June 22, 2003
My 8th state highpoint. Very scenic hike up and peaceful secluded summit. No view from the summit, but great views on the hike more than make up for it.
woodstrider - Oct 10, 2006 8:36 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 1998
Pony up the MountainMy friend Bob and I visited this summit as part of a "southern" road-trip. We hit it just right, for eventhough it was a wet foggy and a chill day, the Rhododendrums and mountain azelas were in full bloom and there ponies every where. Stayed at a state campground (Grayson Highlands)that was very nice. We hiked up from Massie Gap to the AT and then took the summit spur trail. After passing thru an area of bramble, I was pleasantly surprised by lovely evergreens covered summit.
surgent - Sep 12, 2006 10:14 pm
Grayson HighlandsStarted in heavy spring rain but it let up just as I hit the top. Hike down was in beautiful (humid) clear weather.
Rockman - Aug 30, 2006 4:12 am Date Climbed: May 4, 1998
ATCrossed while on the AT.
royswkr - Jul 31, 2006 10:08 pm Date Climbed: Apr 8, 1991
AT from Elk Garden.
gwave47 - Jul 31, 2006 12:35 am Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2006
6th HighpointHiked from Massie Gap to by way of AT to the Spur Trail to the summit. Went with my wife and our friend EJ.
mlandau3 - Jul 23, 2006 5:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 22, 2006
A Hike Worth Doing AgainFrom Massie Gap via Wilburn Ridge is a beautiful hike. We saw three herds of ponies (two herds twice) and the ridge is spectacular, if not particularly strenuous.
NavySeabee - Jul 21, 2006 10:46 pm Date Climbed: Jun 29, 2005
Route Climbed: Massie Gap / ATMade the very long (400+ mile trek from VA Beach) to climb Mount Rogers and Black Mountain (KY) under the threat of T-storms. Thankfully, they stayed to the southern ridges. Fun hike over some rugged terrain. Loved watching the ponies in the meadows. HP #6
granddeity - Jul 5, 2006 10:02 pm Date Climbed: Jun 30, 2006
from massie gapSuprisingly nice hike, with great views from the trail, but alas not from the highpoint itself. We liked seeing the ponies. Highpoint #8 for us.
nartreb - May 8, 2006 2:12 pm Date Climbed: May 6, 2006
from Massie GapVery easy stroll through mostly-open pastures, with rocky outcrops offering variety and bouldering. Hard to tell which point on the ridge is highest, hardly even felt like I was in the mountains until the skies cleared and the views opened up. A small area at the summit is covered in dark, mossy spruce & fir that reminded me of Maine - very different from the woods on nearby slopes.
Holsti97 - Apr 23, 2006 10:53 am Date Climbed: Apr 12, 2006
Mount RogersDrove to Damascus, VA from Asheville, NC and had breakfast. Climbed from Massie Gap trailhead. Saw some ponies right away. Walked north up to the AT. Hiked AT up Wilburn Ridge to Thomas Knob shelter. USFS helicopter flew over and dropped several fire fighters off in front of us. Talked to one and was told that they were going to do a controlled burn. "You will have to turn around." I told him that I wasn't going to turn around, I came to summit. He let me go and said that I might have to stay on top for awhile. We continued on to the Mt. Rogers Spur Trail and reached the summit and had lunch. Hiked down through the burned area. Very smoky. Saw more ponies on the way back down. Warm day, but cloudy. One of my favorite hikes of our HP trip. HP #11.
GMowry - Apr 7, 2006 8:34 pm Date Climbed: Apr 3, 2006
Mount RogersThis was a really cool place, I recommend it for anyone that is interested in a nice hike. Saw many ponies, beautiful views and got a decent workout for the day. This is, by no means mountain climbing, but a very nice place to go for a hike. Continued on to highpoints in NC and TN on this trip.
Eleutheros - Mar 17, 2006 7:30 pm Date Climbed: Jun 10, 1995
Grayson HighlandsHiked this with my family and my dog, Boca, after camping in the highlands. Sunshine and a cool wind.
jakefrisbee - Mar 15, 2006 3:42 am
Check it offClimbed Rogers in a snowstorm January, 2001.
hgrapid - Mar 8, 2006 2:52 am Date Climbed: Jan 21, 2002
Winter HighpointThis is the best mountain range in Virgnia!
WoundedKnee - Feb 20, 2006 1:12 pm Date Climbed: Feb 19, 2006
2 day amalgam of AT, Rogers Trail and Pine Mountain TrailDid a short backpacking trip. There was some snow, and it was colder than I expected (7 degrees) at the Old Orchard shelter where we stayed. Great views from the grassy balds nearby; the only views to be had on Rogers are on the way up.
Scrambling Man - Feb 14, 2006 4:32 am
Horses, Cows, Boy Scouts, and Through-Hikers, Climbed: Fall of 2003My wife and I were living in Virginia at the time and decided to climb the highest point in the state. The summit leaves a lot to be desired (like a view), and you never know what or who you'll run into on the AT.
sprosseda - Jan 27, 2006 12:19 pm
Route Climbed: AT from Wilburn ridge Date Climbed: November 2005Grayson highlands is a very special area, unique in the south. Trail ran to summit from Wilburn ridge. Beautiful views of ponies, balds, rock crags, and distant mountains from highlands. Actual summit is covered in dense, beautiful spruce/fir forest so nothing to see on top.
Joseph Claghorn - Jan 24, 2006 10:36 pm
Route Climbed: Grayson Highlands Date Climbed: September 2005Very different than your standard Appalachian Hiking. the openess of the meadows with the rock outcroppings is remeniscent of points further west. Its also one of the few Southern Highpoints you actually have to hike to get to, so it has a rare wilderness feel.
TLP - Oct 24, 2005 12:24 am
Route Climbed: AT via Massie Gap Date Climbed: October 20, 2005Wow! What a spectacular hike. Yeah there's no views on summit, but the whole hike there is great views! Even saw the wild ponies at the very end of the day. If you haven't been to Mt. Rogers, go there. Now!
chmoore577 - Sep 1, 2005 10:02 am
Route Climbed: Massie Gap AT Date Climbed: June 22, 2003My 8th state highpoint. Very scenic hike up and peaceful secluded summit. No view from the summit, but great views on the hike more than make up for it.