The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.”
-Thomas Alva Edison
September 3, 2021
Hike from Hurricane Mountain Shelter to Rhododendron Gap (Virginia)
AT miles: 15.1
Ascent: 3397’
Descent: 1860’
Weather: perfect — sunny with temps in the low 70’s
Sightings: wild ponies
High point: Grayson Highlands
Grayson Highlands is supposedly one of the nicest areas for hiking on the Appalachian Trail in the south. Today was our Grayson Highlands day!
Over the course of the day we climbed Hurricane Mountain (4240’) and Pine Mountain (4949’). And our home tonight, Rhododendron Gap, is at an elevation of 5396’! We are high up!
We started out by finishing climbing up Hurricane Mountain, a grueling ascent.
The woods on the descent were green and mossy. We crossed this bridge over a stream that looks like it would be great for trout fishing.
After several miles, we finally reached the gate that meant we were entering Grayson Highlands.
Grayson Highlands is a huge area of open country with fantastic views, incredible rock formations, and lots of wild ponies. The entire area is over 4000 feet in elevation, so you feel like you are on the top of the world!
As we walked through The Scales, a stunning wide-open ridge top with incredible views, we passed some impressive cattle.
I just loved the open areas and the amazing views.
We did finally see a wild pony minding its own business near the trail. (Yes, he is in the picture below, just camouflaged very well!
The wildflowers, mostly goldenrod, were stunning.
We finally bumped into a wild pony that was very near the trail.
Grayson Highlands has amazing views, but it also has spectacular rock formations.
We even came across a mother pony and her foal!
The climb up to Rhododendron Gap was quite challenging, not just because it was steep but because it was quite a rock scramble. This picture gives a feel for what that section of trail was like. Thankfully there was no mud, so it was much easier than the hiking I did in Vermont!
We finally reached Rhododendron Gap (5396’), which has a huge number of tent sites interspersed with trees and wild ponies! We nearly ran over some ponies when we were searching for the spring to refill our water bottles! We reached our campsite early and had a leisurely evening.
Today is a great day for a long walk in the woods!
Looks like tricky footing with all those small loose stones. Great views. Mile high city! Denver has nothing on you. – Dad