Weekend Gem-Mt. Rogers Loop 2024

Ponies over yonder

Well, It’s time again for a trip to Grayson Highlands for the Mt. Rogers Loop. This amazing 19 mile loop has now become an every year occurrence for Dee and me. Last year we went in Fall and discovered that there were very little ponies to be had? I looked up information about when the ponies graze and no answers on the interweb. So we went went in early July because we’ve always had good luck finding them then and we were right, 18 ponies total. The highest concentration is around Rhododendron Gap and the shelves below. Start your hike at the Mt. Rogers TH and cross the road to pick the trail up that climbs to the A.T. While your existing the parking lot, check out to your left for the Fairwood TR that you will be taking back when you get off the A.T after Cherokee Orchard. Once across the road start your 7.5 mile hike up to Thomas Knob. The first 4 miles gets most of the climbing out of the way before hitting the Appalachian Trail where you coast more as it slowly climbs up to the Summit TR for Rogers for the last three and a half. I like the spots past the Shelter and bear box on the edge of the meadows. If you are tent camping and the weather isn’t gnarly, you can pick a open spot in the meadows before the Shelter where the epicness factor is high. Enjoy this wonderful setting, it is one of finest I have experienced here in the Appalachian Mountains.

The beginning of the meadows before Thomas Knob

Yup

After a stellar sunset enjoy a peaceful morning waking up slowly as the birds sing. Get your stuff together and take off heading left to Rhododendron Gap, the heart of good pony viewing in this neck of the woods. The trail slowly starts descending as the clusters of trees get larger all around. When you get down to the Gap, look in the pocket meadows to the right for ponies. Keep in mind that the meadows stretch past than the ones you can see from the A.T. So keep listening for horse sounds in the distance, the ponies up here are more shy and animal-like up here than Massie Gap so they might be hiding out further away. When you get to the center of the Gap, go get some water if you need to by following the blue blazes and water signs leading downhill in to the open core of the meadows. There won’t be any more water for a few, sunny miles if you didn’t stock up at Thomas Knob or you’re thirsty as hell. Then you start making your way over rocky outcrops while weaving down to meadowy shelves stockpiled with ponies and azaleas. Rocks rocks rocks, grass laurel grass and you are down near Massie Gap. If you want to see more tourists and/or ponies take the Wilburn Ridge TR or ABS Trail down to Massie where the ponies act domesticated, but are still fun to see. Wander through this lovely area before descending to Wilson Creek at the edge of the Grayson Highlands State Park. One thing I have learned about being in the South is that most of the most memorable areas are in the State Parks where in the West its in the National Parks. Follow Wilson Creek down to Wise Shelter and it’s great camping in the big trees. We went on  past it this time to Old Orchard  Shelter. Your best option if you want to get home early is this route because it makes the last day only around 4 miles. You start descending more in open forests before you start your mellow climb up to Stone Mountain. On Stone, keep your eyes and ears peeled for more elusive ponies in the high rhododendrons that cover the more unkept meadows of this area. I have seen much more believable wild ponies in this area that have provided the wilderness experience that I am always striving for. Drop down to Scales where a bathroom can be found and perhaps more ponies looming about. Climb up to another set of fences that separate the pony to non pony zones. Look around for another illusive pony sighting before you drop more to Old Orchard. I like the spots past the Shelter in the various sized pocket meadows. Enjoy this relaxing environment as you take a sip of whiskey and slowly soak in the goodness of the day’s sights.

Rhododendron Gap Area

Pony time

A fine specimen

Rocks

Rocks

One of the nice meadowy shelves

Premium pony

After a sweet night’s sleep get up slowly and enjoy a splendid morning in this special area. Scoop your gear up and get a move on back down to the road. Cross it and jump on the now unmarked Fairwood TR which is your first right. Follow this pup back to the trailhead where a cold beer awaits. Get great Mexican at the Damascus Exit, well I forget now…