Mt. Rogers, Grayson Highlands - 3 full days Backpacking trip. 22 mile.

Name: Mt. Rogers, Grayson Highlands - 3 full days Backpacking trip. 22 mile.
Start: 2013-06-13T19:30:00-04:00
End: 2013-06-13T22:30:00-04:00
Location: Vienna Metro, North parking lot.

Hosted By

Darwin

Details

Mt. Rogers, Grayson Highlands.

The highest natural point in the state of Virginia.

This trip will take 3 full days, plan accordingly.
We will be leaving Thursday after work and coming back Sunday late evening.

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/a/9/4/event_236479092.jpegMount Rogers is the highest natural point in the state of Virginia, USA, with a summit elevation of 5,729 feet (1,746 m) above sea level. It lies in Grayson County and Smyth County, Virginia, about 6.45 miles (10.38 km) WSW of Troutdale, Virginia, within the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and Jefferson National Forest.

The summit is most easily accessed from Grayson Highlands State Park by following the Appalachian Trail http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/b/f/2/event_236479442.jpegsouthbound for 3.5 miles (5.6 km) to a blue-blazed trail leading to the summit, which is covered by trees and marked with four National Geodetic Survey triangulation station disks; a standard station disk marked with an equilateral triangle and three standard reference disks marked with arrows pointing towards the station disk. Because the Appalachian Trail passes within a half mile of the summit, the area is especially popular with hikers.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/c/2/4/event_236479492.jpegMount Rogers is the northernmost habitat of the high-altitude Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forests, which are found in only five other locations in the United States: the Great Smoky Mountains, the Black Mountains, the Great Balsam Mountains, Grandfather Mountain, and Roan Mountain. This forest type is one of the few remaining habitats of the Fraser fir, which is only found at high elevations, typically above 5,500 feet (1,700 m), in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/4/e/a/e/event_236480142.jpegElevation: 5,729 ft (1,746 m)Location:
Grayson / Smyth counties, Virginia.Mt. Range:
Blue Ridge MountainsDistance from DC area: 335 mileDriving time: 5 hr.

We will expend the first night on a horse campground, which is just 3 miles away from the trail head and we will leave the cars at the campground.
Since we will be arriving at 3-4 AM. there is not reason to continue at that time.
Later around 10 am. after a good breakfast we will be ready to continue as describe in trail description ( map link bellow)
There will be a $25 camp fee (6 person X campground) and a $3-5 x car parking fee so please bring some change.

Since weather is very unpredictable at hight altitudes some winter clothes maybe will be a must for this trip.

Gear list:
1.) Tent
2.) Sleeping bag
3.) Sleeping pad
4.) 2 pieces rain suit - NOT poncho.
5.) Extra pair of socks.
6.) Backpacking stove + pot/cup/dish/spoon
7.) Dehydrate food for your self.
8.) Camel bag/bottle or similar for drinking water.
9.) Snacks/sandwich/nutribar or equivalent, etc.
10.) Water-for first day, Saturday/Sunday we refuel from a stream.
11.) A good attitude and a big smile on your face.
-------------------------------------------------------------------Trail map to be follow: If you wan a copy of the map/trail description to be follow on this trip send me your email address and I'll send you the map in a PDF format for you to print.