Laurel buds
A shuttle hike from Massie Gap to Elk Garden is the agenda for today. I'm collaborating with fellow AT section hiking buddy, Russ. We have established a short term goal of completing the AT from the Nolichucky River to Grayson Highlands (160 miles). Well on our way to doing that, we have a few gaps to complete still.
Nap time
From the parking area to the AT, it is a short, well worn trail, traversed by more hikers that I can imagine. Grayson Highlands is a spectacular place with wide open views, ponies, Rhododendron, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries ... Who wouldn't like it. A great place for families to get kids acquainted with nature.
Oh, that foal is just taking a nap. Its exciting being a baby!
Meal time
We stopped for a few minutes to watch the ponies. There were several foals really enjoying being foals.
Then it was off to see the Rhododendron. We stayed on the AT, although there are so many options here - Wilburn Ridge, Crest Trail, Pine Mountain Trail and horse trails. Views in all directions are fabulous. I think I spot Snake, Beech, Sugar and Grandfather but who knows, I might be completely off.
A couple of gals asked us for directions. Actually, one gal asked for directions, the other, a German woman, was hellbent on continuing until they ran into a horse trail. I gave my map to them but our advice to head back to Massie Gap on the AT was falling on deaf (German) ears. I wish they were carrying some water since it was a haul back to the gap at this point and, clearly, they were at odds on what to do.
After traveling through a rocky cavelike area, reminiscent of the rock jumble on Grandfather, we reach the gap and are surrounded by Catawba Rhododendron. Coincidentally, this spot is exactly 500 miles from the start of the AT at Springer Mountain, Georgia.
For AT hikers, this is a worthy milestone, or stones, in this case.
Hiking on, we travel through unmatched scenery. Soon, the unassuming summit of Mt Rogers fills our view. We reach a shelter and myriad overflow campsites, where we pause for a lunch break. Then it is on toward Elk Garden. We meet and talk with several NOBO hikers including Bear and Lambo from Austin TX, Tabasco from Massachusetts and Marble, or was it Marvel? One other guy asked if "Vegas" was ahead. I don't know if Vegas was a trailname or Las Vegas. We must have missed the casino back at Rhododendron Gap.
Not long after passing the spur trail to the Mt Rogers summit, we exited the meadows and entered the woods. A cool breeze blew our way, making it a very pleasant afternoon.
The very final descent to Elk Garden is back in open meadow. As we walked through it, we noted vehicle tracks. It appears a vehicle had zig zagged up or down the hill dozens of times. Wondering if this might be a joy rider, I kept thinking there was a fence and gate at the road. Sure enough, there was a fence and gate. Upon closer examination, the gate had 3 links of chain with 3 locks. One of which was rusted open. Looking back at the grassy hillside with tire tracks all over it, I do think this was an interloping joy rider. Fortunately, outside of the tracks, it appears little damage was done. A similar joy riding horde, tore up Max Patch in 2012. Those vandals tore down entrance barriers and drove 4 wheelers all over the bald. Fifty volunteers put in hundreds of hours of time to replant, repair erosion and cover up the damage. Ten persons were arrested and one was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
A pleasant way to end the day
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