Wild ponies
It is in Virginia they are seen right? Where is the best hike and time of year to increase the odds. How hard of a week section hike is this? Thanks!!
The ponies are always there, it's a great section "the Grayson Highlands" 30-40 miles N of Damascus, amazing views & an easy week of hiking, park in Damascus & have Lone Wolf Shuttle you to Fox Creek @ 40 miles or Massie Gap @ 30 miles back to town
Take Time to Watch the Trees Dance with The Wind........Then Join In........
Thanks! I think that is the section I'm going to look into for our family hike. We are looking at a week or two.
Don't worry about getting a shuttle. Just park in Damascus and take the Iron Mtn trail north out of town. When you connect to the AT, take that back south to Damascus. It's a great hike.Originally Posted by wornoutboots
Wonderful Idea!!
Take Time to Watch the Trees Dance with The Wind........Then Join In........
You can easily do it in a week at a lollygag pace. Great Scenery all the way to town!!
Enjoy!
Take Time to Watch the Trees Dance with The Wind........Then Join In........
Grayson Highlands State Park area. I've been there in summer and winter and saw them both times. Not really a hard stretch to hike. Depending on start/stop points, you could do a good portion in two days or a very leisurely longer week loop. It's a favorite area for many hikers. Enjoy!
RainMan
.
[I]ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: ... Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit....[/I]. Numbers 35
[url]www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker[/url]
.
Sounds like I should have asked when a nice but uncrowded time would be lol. Luckily we homeschool!
The reality is that the ponies arent that particulary "wild". The herd is managed and the area has some fencing to keep them seperated from an adjacent farm. You really dont even need to climb the mountain, there is a road right to the top and with a bit of wandering around, you will usually encounter a pony. Many folks bring apples.
The reality is that the ponies arent that particulary "wild". The herd is managed and the area has some fencing to keep them seperated from an adjacent farm. You really dont even need to climb the mountain, there is a road right to the top and with a bit of wandering around, you will usually encounter a pony. Many folks bring apples.
Go through the main entrance to Grayson Highlands State Park and park at Massie Gap. (Ask for a map from the attendant when you go through the gate.) Find your way to Wilburn Ridge. This is the area where I most frequently see the wild ponies. Although the ponies seem tame, because some of them are used to people, they are nevertheless, wild ponies. Some will bite you if you get too close. Some will allow you to pet them. Some of the mother ponies are very protective of their young. The problem is that you don't know which is which. Enjoy their beauty and wonder, but please do not feed them anything, including apples. Have a great time!
Some people take the straight and narrow. Others the road less traveled. I just cut through the woods.
+1 for Ktaadn
+2 for Ktaadn. The Iron Mountain Trail is a great trail. (This was part of the original AT, as I recall.) Less crowded than the AT and not very difficult. The shelters are still in good condition and there is good camping.
Some people take the straight and narrow. Others the road less traveled. I just cut through the woods.
They are the a part of one the most over hyped sections of the AT. As others have posted they are not wild but a managed part of land management. They are culled and sold off yearly by the non-profit group that oversees the heard.
Their biggest health concern is the crap that hikers feed them. No matter how many notices are posted or guide book information written, hikers need for self gratification leads to them being feed garbage. That leads to them following you like any other shelter rat or squirrel.
Instead of feeding them your sugar loaded snacks, donate to the group that uses them to keep the boulder-land unnaturally groomed.
The trouble I have with campfires are the folks that carry a bottle in one hand and a Bible in the other.
You never know which one is talking.
I've hiked there twice and never saw any such "notices" ... nor "guide book information." Where are they?
Rain Man
.
[I]ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: ... Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit....[/I]. Numbers 35
[url]www.MeetUp.com/NashvilleBackpacker[/url]
.
I believe there is a sign posted near Massie Gap by the Wilburn Ridge Pony Association asking visitors not to feed the ponies.
Some people take the straight and narrow. Others the road less traveled. I just cut through the woods.
Bear in mind WM also said this is one of the most over hyped sections of trail.
Thanks for the suggestions. And no feeding from us we own livestock and know how messing with feed causes harm. So sad that they will probably have to be contained more because of this issue. I know my daughter lit up at mention of this. Funny because moat of our family owns horses and they have a pony. But I figured if it gives her a wonderful memory on one of her longer hikes then what's the harm. Sounds like a fun section for us.
Definitely a destination point for a family of hikers. I went through in early June under perfect blue skies, covering 20+ mpd just because the weather was so perfect. A relaxing 5-day hike would be perfect if you have pre-teens along with you.
GA←↕→ME: 1973 to 2014
Agreed. A beautiful day on Grayson Highlands is like no other, but the weather can change rather quickly up there. The key is to be prepared. I always filter my water up there due to all the pony poop.
Some people take the straight and narrow. Others the road less traveled. I just cut through the woods.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote