Backpacking Virginia's Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area in Jefferson National Forest back in 2003

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area in Virginia was established in 1966 and protects about 200,000 acres of land in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests. It is a recreation area offering over 500 miles of trails, including 60 miles of the famed Appalachian Trail, 18 miles of the Virginia Creeper Bike Trail, and 67 miles of the Virginia Highland Horse Trail. It has 11 campgrounds, four of which cater to horse parties. It is named for the founder of MIT and the state's first geologist, William Barton Rogers.

In 2003 I went to Damascus, Virginia, arriving early for an American Hiking Society Volunteer Trail Project so I could bike the famous Virginia Creeper Trail  (one of Rail-to-Trails Hall of Fame Trails). I also had an extra two days so I did a quick backpack trip.

I parked at Highway 603 and the Appalachian Trail and backpacked 4 miles uphill 1600 feet on the AT, then turned onto the Pine Mountain Tail for 2 miles and back to the AT.  I filled my water bottles at the Thomas Knob Shelter and enjoyed seeing these two wild ponies there which had somehow gotten around the fencing and were right by the shelter -- I always wondered if these two hikers had let them in.

The ponies are a locally popular attraction. Unlike the wild horses found roaming in the western United States which are mostly of Spanish mustang descent, the wild ponies of Grayson Highlands are of Shetland pony descent and are not actual horses (although they are related). The Grayson Highlands ponies were introduced to the area many years ago to help control the spread of native hawthorn -- thorny shrubs and trees found throughout the region. These types of ponies were specifically chosen for their heartiness and ability to live above 4500' elevation.

The wild pony population in Grayson Highlands is limited to approximately 120 ponies. The Wilburn Ridge Pony Association, a local citizen group, manages the population. Every September, the group works together with park officials to select and round-up specific ponies for an adoption auction at Grayson Highland Fall Fest to prevent overpopulation. The ponies are most commonly seen between Massie Gap and Thomas Knob Shelter. Although considered wild, the Grayson Highlands ponies are very comfortable around humans, with some getting close enough for people to touch. However, touching and feeding the ponies is against park policy.

Just past the Thomas Knob shelter I came upon the blue-blazed trail and signage leading to the summit of Mt. Rogers. I took off my pack and headed for the top and what I expected would be wonderful views and was very disappointed --the summit was thickly covered by high altitude Southern Appalachian spruce-fir forest and the abundance of trees meant there was absolutely no view available. Mt. Rogers is the northernmost habitat for these trees.This spur trail is less than a mile round trip.


Another mile and half of up and down backpacking later I finally located a spot open enough to set up camp and did so.

Yesterday's 31 miles of biking on the Virginia Creeper Trail uphill to Green Cove Station and back down...

...followed by today's 5 1/2 hours and 9 miles of mostly uphill hiking had wiped me out!

But the marvelous scenery of Grayson Highlands State Park which abuts the AT...

...and the Appalachian Trail itself had made for a wonderful day of hiking.

The next day I packed up and after 7 1/2 miles on the AT. the Mt. Rogers Trail, and the Fairwood Valley Trail, I was back at my van. I went to the Visitor Center, then got a motel room followed by a good meal, and then began getting organized for the upcoming week of volunteer trail work.

Here are some more photos of the hike through Lewis Fork Wilderness...