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  1. #1
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    Default Video: Grayson Highlands - Land of open balds, blue ridges and feral ponies




    I recently took my cousin on her first ever backpacking trip out to the Grayson Highlands and Mt Rogers National Recreation Area of Virginia. We covered ~21 miles using the AT along with some connector trails and spent 2 nights exploring this incredible hiking destination. Ponies were everywhere and provided the perfect cherry on top of a beautiful section - enjoy watching!

  2. #2

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    Had a bunch of ponies thunder through the edge of camp in Mt. Rogers NRA(we were technically outside Grayson Highlands SP), and a group of them took over the spot where my shelter had been as soon as I packed up in the morning. They really do add to the experience!
    20201104_151435.jpg

    20201104_170539.jpg

    20201105_085833.jpg

  3. #3

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    Thanks for the vid. One of my favorite places to backpack and camp.

    I did early trips there in the 1980s---no pics of course---and then returned in 1997 for a trip---

    Good Heart standing on Wilburn Ridge in Grayson Highlands.jpg
    My friend on top of Wilburn Ridge in '97.

    Tipi-Walter-in-GraysonSMALLER-Highlands.jpg
    Me on Quebec Creek in '97 with my old North Face pack.

    TRI 132 105-XL.jpg
    A neat view of Wilburn Ridge from a trip in 2012.

    Wild Pony nnnandnjuu TW.jpg
    Back in '97 this pony bit me on the right butt cheek cuz he wanted my red apple---at Wise Shelter on AT.

    TRIP 123 174-XL.jpg
    Wilburn Ridge---I call this Grandmother Gap and right past this peak is Rhododendron Gap.

    TRIP 123 248-L.jpg
    In the Little Wilson wilderness.

    TRIP 123 307-L.jpg
    Sadly, horseback riders ruin many of the area trails by leaving piles of poop and by churning up the trails into giant mud holes. This pic was taken on Lewis Fork trail.

  4. #4

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tipi Walter View Post
    ...and right past this peak is Rhododendron Gap.
    Which, as I discovered last week, is for some reason impossible for me to say 3 times in quick succession.
    Rhododendron Gap.
    Rhododengine Gap.
    Rhododendron Grap...crap!

  5. #5
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    Thanks for sharing those pics guys! Enjoyed getting to see y’all’s experiences in this beautiful area.

    The horseback riders are still tearing up trail these days unfortunately. A section of the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness is signed off due to deep mud.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by Layne View Post
    Thanks for sharing those pics guys! Enjoyed getting to see y’all’s experiences in this beautiful area.

    The horseback riders are still tearing up trail these days unfortunately. A section of the Little Wilson Creek Wilderness is signed off due to deep mud.
    I remember that section---a naturally wet swamp section anyway and horseback riders made it look like a four-wheeler jeep playground.

  7. #7
    Peakbagger Extraordinaire The Solemates's Avatar
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    Hiked along Wilburn ridge last weekend. Always good to go back home!
    The only thing better than mountains, is mountains where you haven't been.

    amongnature.blogspot.com

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    Quote Originally Posted by Tipi Walter View Post
    I remember that section---a naturally wet swamp section anyway and horseback riders made it look like a four-wheeler jeep playground.
    I made it out to Joyce Kilmer-Slickrock for the first time earlier this year, you may enjoy our video from that trip as well. Although I've been told that it isn't a true JK-S adventure unless one sees Tipi on trail hauling a massive pack.


  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by The Solemates View Post
    Hiked along Wilburn ridge last weekend. Always good to go back home!
    Incredible land for sure! One of the places that every backpacker/hiker should experience.

  10. #10
    Registered User hobbs's Avatar
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    I enjoyed both your videos.,,Slip rock seemed more challenging
    My love for life is quit simple .i get uo in the moring and then i go to bed at night. What I do inbween is to occupy my time. Cary Grant

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by hobbs View Post
    I enjoyed both your videos.,,Slip rock seemed more challenging
    Thanks hobbs. You're right on there. Slickrock is a challenging place.

  12. #12

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    Just watched your Slickrock vid and recognized so many places.

    2:00 South Lead's Cave.
    2:40 Favorite reststop on ridge finger.
    4:05 Hangover Mt clearcut which happened in 2007.
    7:00 I call this ridge Seven Mile Ridge (from Beech Gap to Hangover).

    9:24 I remember this blowdown on Naked Ground Trail.
    9:48 Low Dog Camps on Little Santee Creek.
    11:05 Blues Brothers.
    12:00 My old dog's blowdown log in Low Dog Camp.

    16:14 On Stratton Ridge trail looking out towards Cherohala Skyway (loud motorcycles!!).
    16:32 Famous Butt Rock on ridge between Naked Ground and Bob Bald.

    TRIP 69 036-L.jpg
    4:05 This is where you camped on Hangover Mt---in the Clearcut as it looked in 2007.

    number 22-L.jpg
    12:00 My dog sitting in the blowdown log you guys are sitting at.

    Trip 175 250-XL.jpg

    16:32 Butt Rock where you guys are hanging out---where Stratton Ridge trail meets Seven Mile Ridge.

  13. #13
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tipi Walter View Post
    Just watched your Slickrock vid and recognized so many places.

    2:00 South Lead's Cave.
    2:40 Favorite reststop on ridge finger.
    4:05 Hangover Mt clearcut which happened in 2007.
    7:00 I call this ridge Seven Mile Ridge (from Beech Gap to Hangover).

    9:24 I remember this blowdown on Naked Ground Trail.
    9:48 Low Dog Camps on Little Santee Creek.
    11:05 Blues Brothers.
    12:00 My old dog's blowdown log in Low Dog Camp.

    16:14 On Stratton Ridge trail looking out towards Cherohala Skyway (loud motorcycles!!).
    16:32 Famous Butt Rock on ridge between Naked Ground and Bob Bald.

    TRIP 69 036-L.jpg
    4:05 This is where you camped on Hangover Mt---in the Clearcut as it looked in 2007.

    number 22-L.jpg
    12:00 My dog sitting in the blowdown log you guys are sitting at.

    Trip 175 250-XL.jpg

    16:32 Butt Rock where you guys are hanging out---where Stratton Ridge trail meets Seven Mile Ridge.
    Thanks for taking the time to share all this info Tipi - good stuff. I rewatched my video paying attention to your time stamps and enjoyed knowing these tidbits about the area.

    Was there a specific reason that they clearcut the Hangover area in 2017?

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