Event Location: Marion VA
Trip Leader(s)
Meeting Time: 8:00 AM
Max # People: 8
Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money
Difficulty Level:
Moderate to Strenuous
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This 12.8 mile hike will begin at a spur trail, of 0.3 miles, from the the Massie Gap (5000 feet) parking area to the AT where we will turn south. We shall cross a fence marking the boundry of the Grayson Highlands State Park and Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. The trail will continue with an ascent. At 1.2 miles into the hike we shall come to "Fatman Squeeze", a narow tunnel of rocks. We will continue our ascent of Wilburn Ridge reaching Rhododendron Gap (5400 feet) at 1.8 miles into the hike. The trail will continue with minor ups and downs passing Thomas Knob Shelter at 2.8 miles. The trail will reach Deep Gap (5000 feet) at the 5 mile mark. At 7 miles into the hike we shall reach Elk Garden (4458 feet) and VA 600.
The trail begins an ascent from Elk Garden through the woods. We shall come to an open area with views at 9.3 miles, just below Whitetop Mountain summit. We reach Buzzard Rock (5080 feet) at 10.2 miles. From here we begin a steep descent of 1400 feet to VA 601 and the end of our hike.
This will be a one-way hike and will require an auto shuttle.
Plan on spending 8.5 hours on the trail for this hike.
We will be meeting at the Hardee's restaurant in Marion, Va. The address for the Hardee's is 347 North Main Street. The telephone number for the hardee's is (276) 783-6441. The zip code is 24354.
We will be leaving the Hardee's at 8:00 AM sharp for the trailheads. Please plan on arriving earlier for breakfast and instructions.
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous
Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate
