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Thread: Elk Garden SOBO

  1. #1

    Default Elk Garden SOBO

    From Elk Garden heading south, does anyone know of any camp/tentsites in the first mile or two?
    (Camping by the road not an option)
    Thanks!
    "The Ordinary Adventurer"
    http://www.FunFreedom.com

  2. #2

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    Elk Garden, VA, of course.
    "The Ordinary Adventurer"
    http://www.FunFreedom.com

  3. #3

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    Elk Garden, VA, of course.
    "The Ordinary Adventurer"
    http://www.FunFreedom.com

  4. #4

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    Red face

    Several tents often camp high on hill on north side
    You are over curve of hill and out of sight of rd near treeline. Its quite a picturesque spot. Even if next to rd. Car campers will hike up there to camp on weekend.

    I dont remember it, but awol says campsites after rd at usfs 89 , on top first hill heading south. Once at top its flat a ways by profile, u can find something.
    Last edited by MuddyWaters; 04-05-2019 at 16:21.

  5. #5

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    Quote Originally Posted by MuddyWaters View Post
    Several tents often camp high on hill on north side You are over curve of hill and out of sight of rd near treeline. Its quite a picturesque spot. Even if next to rd. Car campers will hike up there to camp on weekend. I dont remember it, but awol says campsites after rd at usfs 89 , on top first hill heading south. Once at top its flat a ways by profile, u can find something.
    Ah yes, that's an option too. Thanks for widening my scope.
    Still, curious if there isn't something between 600/Elk garden and USFS 89. If I recall correctly, that's a climb to a ridge?
    Been a while...
    "The Ordinary Adventurer"
    http://www.FunFreedom.com

  6. #6
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
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    Default

    Elk Garden sobo is the climb up Whitetop, right? There is a spectacular campsite at the top of the climb, which takes less than an hour. When you get to the top there are obvious campsites in the woods on the east (left for you) side of the trail right before the gravel parking area where the trail crosses the Whitetop Mountain gravel road. Ignore those -- you want the side trail to the right that goes out to a small meadow that overlooks that gravel road. There is a great view, and several decent grassy campsites. One of my favorites. Also, the best spring I have found in the South is maybe 1/4 mile further on the trail, cross the road and you'll hear it.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  7. #7
    Hiker bigcranky's Avatar
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    Default

    There are no sites on the climb, it's all side-hill trail.
    Ken B
    'Big Cranky'
    Our Long Trail journal

  8. #8

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    Quote Originally Posted by bigcranky View Post
    Elk Garden sobo is the climb up Whitetop, right? There is a spectacular campsite at the top of the climb, which takes less than an hour. When you get to the top there are obvious campsites in the woods on the east (left for you) side of the trail right before the gravel parking area where the trail crosses the Whitetop Mountain gravel road. Ignore those -- you want the side trail to the right that goes out to a small meadow that overlooks that gravel road. There is a great view, and several decent grassy campsites. One of my favorites. Also, the best spring I have found in the South is maybe 1/4 mile further on the trail, cross the road and you'll hear it.
    Thanks, Ken! Sounds cool. Appreciate the options.
    "The Ordinary Adventurer"
    http://www.FunFreedom.com

  9. #9

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    Thanks all, had a great walk despite the rain. Found a sweet spot just below a ridge atop Whitetop, and the wind roared above us all night, leaving the tent be. Saw lots of spring beauties out, and some bloodroot, violets and iris cristata. Got a hit of Fresh Ground's coffee along the way.
    Thanks for the intel.
    "The Ordinary Adventurer"
    http://www.FunFreedom.com

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