Solo Backpacking the Grayson Highlands - Camping with Wild Ponies
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- Опубликовано: 27 авг 2024
- 3 days of Solo Backpacking, Hiking & Tent Camping on a section of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia’s Grayson Highlands.
Thanks Revtown for sponsoring this video! www.revtownusa...
For this 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip, I headed out for some hiking and solo camping in the Lewis Fork Wilderness and Mt Rogers National Recreation Area, within the larger George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.
More trail info & GPS data
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With an emphasis on exploring the wild pony grazing areas surrounding Pine Mountain rather than grinding out mileage, I created a modest loop by combining a portion of the Appalachian Trail with the Virginia Highlands Trail. This gave me a super laid route with my campsites for the first and second nights located in the same general area, separated by less than a couple of miles.
I had a backup plan to do a larger 22 mile loop similar to the one I did in this area a few years back, but I knew from that trip that there was a good possibility I would want to slow things down and soak in the sights around Pine Mountain. Overall, I was very happy with my choice, but there are many more spots to explore if you’re planning your own trip. Here’s my previous larger loop • Hiking the Grayson Hig...
The Grayson Highlands are known for high winds & unpredictable, rapidly changing weather, but luckily for me, the mid September forecast called for an ideal temperature range of 55 to 80 degrees. This allowed me to use an ultralight backpacking setup with minimal extra clothing and gear. My shelter for this trip was my Outdoor Vitals 1p tent in “fast and light” mode - which just means that I left the main tent body with bugnet at home and set it up using only the tent fly, poles and ground cloth.
Trailhead: Elk Garden 36°38'46.7"N 81°34'59.0"W
No fee or permit required for parking or backcountry camping. Hike begins on the other side of the road.
Trails Day 1
Appalachian Trail North (white blazes)
Setup camp about 200 yards before the Thomas Knob Shelter.
I set up my tent on the ridge in a medium sized clearing with an established fire pit right near the boundary sign for Jefferson National Forest. There are many other established camping spots for tents or hammocks in the woods on the other side of the trail leading up to the shelter. A reliable piped spring is 150 yards behind the shelter. A bear box for food storage is nearby as well.
Day 1 Mileage: 4.3 miles
Day 1 Gross Elevation Gain: 1,487'
Day 1 Gross Descent: 550'
Trails Day 2
Continue on the Appalachian Trail North
Right (south) on Crest Trail
Setup Camp near the intersection of Crest Trail and Rhododendron Gap Trail
A large campsite with amazing views, a campfire pit, a nearby bear box, and water source. Follow the spur trail in front of the campsite downhill and past the metal gate to the creek.
Day 2 Mileage: 1.6 miles
Day 2 Elevation Gain: 313'
Day 2 Gross Descent: 329'
Trails Day 3
Southwest on Crest Trail
Right (northwest) on Virginia Highlands Horse Trail
In the video I mentioned a possible creek crossing, but it's best to just refill water at camp.
Return to the Elk Garden Trailhead
Day 3 Mileage: 4.7 miles
Day 3 Elevation Gain: 234'
Day 3 Gross Descent: 1,152'
Trip Total Mileage: 10.6 miles
Trip Total Elevation Gain: 2,034'
FTC Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission for purchases made through some of my links.
Notable Backpacking Gear
Mt Rogers High Country Map amzn.to/3ovxrNI
ULA Ohm 2.0 Backpack www.ula-equipm...
Dutchware Pack Cover dutchwaregear....
Outdoor Vitals 1p Tent bit.ly/2WHh940
Hammock Gear Burrow 40 Top Quilt www.hammockgea...
Unigear Sleeping Pad amzn.to/2Nu3nvV
DIY Cat Can Alcohol Stove
Light My Fire Mini Fire Steel Striker amzn.to/30S3rxm
Toaks 750ml Titanium Pot amzn.to/2GR7AJX
Vargo Windscreen amzn.to/2M3uRuG
Sea to Summit Long Handled Spork go.magik.ly/ml...
Potable Aqua Water Purification Tablets with PA Plus amzn.to/3uYZ1TP
RevolutionRace GP Pants amzn.to/3Daldz8
RevolutionRace Campfire Shirt bit.ly/RRPLAYG...
La Sportiva Wildcat Trail Running Shoes amzn.to/3hyKrMi
Nitecore NU25 Headlamp amzn.to/2YVsp0A
Benchmade Bugout EDC Folding Knife amzn.to/2JVfBS5
Casio ProTrek F-30 Smartwatch amzn.to/3dtY7Xj
Spot X Satellite Messenger amzn.to/3adSjBr
Packit Gourmet Backpacking Meals www.packitgour...
Korean Coffee Sticks amzn.to/2VXijcS
Camera Gear
GoPro Hero 8 Black amzn.to/2D8n6lL
GoPro Shorty Tripod Grip amzn.to/2MPhGOM
I don't know how it's been almost 5 years since my last trip here, but it was long overdue. Thank you Revtown for sponsoring this trip video! You can check them out here www.revtownusa.com/Sintax77
HOLY HELL!!! Very nice you are like an hour away from me, we hike to the top and back several times a year, such a great hike!!
Awesome trip Highlands are on my bucket list to check out what happened to mike trailkilla ? u guys should do a abandoned Halloween trip those videos where awesome
Dam Sintax77, I was wondering what happened to you. Glad to see your ok and still hiking! Hope you and your wife are doing fine!
New Sub, someone else may be able to answer. Why not use the Sawyer filter rather than tablets? Is this a ul thing or preference?
Hey watch your videos all the time and your dad's was wondering where you got your Pennsylvania tuxedo hat love that hat coming from PA just watched you NC hunt cheeseburger time lol
Actually the tallest east of the Mississippi is Mount Mitchell, NC at 6684 feet.
Correct. There's something like 17 peaks on the South Beyond 6000 list that are taller than Washington.
I was about the same thing.
You were in my ''backyard''. I grew up very near there and have hiked that area for over 40 years.
Great trip as always. Just wanted to mention that there are a few mountains in NC taller than Mt Washington
Yep! Mt. Mitchell in NC has Mt. Washington beat by about 400 feet.
More than a few. Washington is somewhere around the 20th tallest on the east coast.
Mt. Washington is the tallest mountain in New England.
My most favorite state park in the whole world..I absolutely love Grayson Highlands..
a magical place.
Grayson Highlands/Mount Rogers is my absolute favorite area to hike in the East. I first hiked it after watching your first video 5 years ago.
That's awesome! What route did you do?
I agree. The many mountain springs on the trail up the side of the mountain from Elk Garden, are unbelievable! And the campsites just east of the Thomas Knob shelter are some of the most incredible on the east coast.
2 day loop from Massie Gap on RHO to AT up Wilburn Ridge, PMT/CT to Scales, AT back to car.
The sound of you blowing up that pad will haunt my dreams.
I'd worry about using that in certain locations during elk and moose rutting season.
I love the trail
It is amazing the difference in a Country. In the UK you look and think. Clouds, rain, but in the US I know from my short holidays that clouds means RAIN. I know when I visited my Brother in Maryland years ago I asked why the storm drains on roads were so big? He told me to hold that thought. I found out why lol. A lot of things are just bigger over there. Great video.
Going to the top of Mt Roger's was a cool experience as the highest point I'm state but there is no views and when u hit the plaque and look around its like a hobbit Forrest. Really interesting summit.
I loved the camera view you did showing the trail ahead as you walked.
I know that? That was probably one of the lowkey highlights of this amazing episode.
Nice move using the fork to lift the lid off your pot. I learned a new hack today.
One of the many benefits of having a spork :)
Love the trips! Perfect timing with the rain.
With my track record, I have no idea how I got that lucky. :D
made it to grayson a few days ago. first time. amazing place. reminds me of dolly sods. def will be back. it feels a bit like out west maybe because of the open landscape. love it.
Keep the great videos comin!! Wish you would consider including a shot of the post hike cheeseburger at the end of each vid!.. 👍🍔
What a beautiful trip thanks for sharing
Thanks Shawn 👊
You're welcome 🤜🤛
The sunrise on the 3rd day, with the fog blowing behind the trees - amazing shot.
That was enjoyable. Thank you for sharing.
Heading here this weekend, glad you got to enjoy some time in my home state! Thanks for a great video this’ll get me through my Friday morning
Nice, enjoy it!
Love your videos. Cant believe you are not at half a million subs by now! Keep up the good work my freind.
Thanks, Matt. Glad you're enjoying them :)
About to head off to bed early and see this. So much for that plan. I see a new video, I have to watch immediately.
Awsome trip report! The Highlands are defintly an awsome place and a bucketlist for backpackers in the region.
Did this trip three years ago. Absolutely loved it!
I live vicariously by watching several different hiking channels. Darwin, Dixie, Second Chance, Justin Outdoors, etc to name a few. I love how on your channel you always show the little things. How you got your water, how you cook your meals, what you are actually eating, where you're sitting for lunch, etc. I feel like I've actually gotten to experience pretty much all of the aspects or your trip, most every video that you make. I'm a huge fan and have been watching for about 3 years, since your Iceland van trip. I'm super stoked to have watched your viewership grow! Hike on, brother.
Thanks, Scotty! Happy to have you virtually along for the trips :)
I lived in Tennessee for three years. I went up the mountain areas alot. The water coming out of those pipes were 99.9999 percent pure. We would actually drive to one of them and fill up the back of a pick up truck with jugs of that water. It was far superior to city water. Rivers and lakes is probably different. But when you see a pipe someone has rigged it up to a natural spring. I used to do alot of canning and grew organic vegetables. I wasn't going to use any dirty city water thats for sure. Cheers! Love the video!
I camped real near where you did on night 2 a while back, and survived one of the most hellacious thunderstorms I’ve experienced in the middle of the night. There was no delay between the lightning and thunder for 30 minutes.
We had more tree protection than what you had, and could hear ponies hunkered down right outside out tent. We figured we must be in a decent spot.
Man, that sounds crazy. That area certainly seems like it would not be very friendly during a storm like that. Glad you ended up with that spot in the trees though. My spot probably would have been the worst camping choice if there was that kind of weather :o
Another enjoyable trip - thanks for taking us with you. I kept waiting for the rain - happy to see how close it was with the through the windshield shot.
Nice under the spring water shot, and a great edit from sun to fire.
Thanks for the beautiful walk and the pony shots.
My pleasure. Thanks, Jennie!
Nice video man. The horses and the camp spots were great!
nice,,,watching while i cook sunday dinner..new content!!
What people think when we’re told 30% rain, actually means that 30% of the forecast coverage area will see rain.
I never knew that until my 29 yo daughter told me. Then I looked it up, it’s true. I’m 61. Never to old to learn something new.
Good to see you in action again!
Found your videos about 2 weeks ago. Watched one & I was hooked. But ones I saw were all several years ago. I'm not an outdoors person but enjoy your videos & watch at least 1 a day-going way back. So was glad to see a recent one. They are fun, informative & really nice to watch in these trying times for our country. Get depressed reading the news so your videos are a way to keep my mind off mess that's going on. Keep up the videos & I'll be watching. Be careful out there.
Thanks, Pat. I'm glad you're enjoying the vids! :)
The horses sadly failed to read the no horses sign. Poor behaviour on their part! Fun trail and vlog :)
Real nice trip and Fall colors were beautiful. I was worried about you not having rain gear so I’m glad you made it back to your vehicle dry.
Very beautiful! Love your videos!
❤️❤️❤️🎃
Your videos inspired me to do a solo camping trip and this was the first place I went! It’s about 45 min from the house. We pronounce it “App-uh-latch-ah” and you’ll get weird looks if you pronounce it like a yankee!
Haha, yes - you're probably right about that. That's pretty cool that you're only 45 minutes away from a spot like that.
@@sintax77 came here for college from the greater NYC area, spent a couple months in Dallas, and I’m never leaving SWVA again. These mountains!
One of my favorite places.
Sintax have you ever thought of converting a minivan into a camper so you could save on motels? That way you could camp anywhere you wanted the day before or day after your hikes. As much as you like camping it would be ideal. Just a thought.
It's probably a matter of preference for him. Although I'm looking forward to him uploading a video of at least an attempt for him to live the van life. 😁
Thanks for sharing this video. Absolutely enjoyed it! (As usual!) Keep up the great work!
Happy to hear that. Thanks, Tridudy!
Great hike in a lovely natural area. Scenery was amazing and heating thst horse chew off the grass was awesome. Thanks for sharing your adventure. Bushyboy Oz.
Great video as always. Mt. Washington is not the tallest mountain on the east coast. Mt. Mitchell, NC is the tallest mountain East of the Mississippi. However, I've done both and Mt. Washington is light years more difficult. Grayson Highlands is my favorite part of the AT (so far). You actually have some views and not all the rocks that make life miserable further North. As a fellow Delawarean I enjoy all your videos (I would like them anyway) and look forward to many more.
Another great video! We went to the Grayson Highlands in late July as part of our road trip. My wife loved it and we will go back.
It's quite a unique area. Not sure why it took me so long to get back down there.
Did you upload a video of this? I'd love to see it.
@@Starscreamlive We ended up doing a day hike at Grayson Highlands. It was part of our road trip. I will finish the road trip video someday. Cumberland Gap was actually the only overnight backpacking that we did for the trip.
That wooded area is so pretty. Love the sound of the weather. Missed you, mister. Going to enjoy this one.
Looked like a fun trip. Thanks for sharing. Do more please. Pleasssse . I hope my area gets lots of snow this winter... Can't wait to do some winter stealth camping trips
Apparently I just missed you up there. I was camping in the park near the same time. Best place to go
Thank you for another awesome hiking vid... ;)
Amazing…you make intra might look heavy. I learned a-lot …great video
I first put on my vintage “It’s Cheeseburger Time” T-shirt for this one!!
Nice!
I cowboy camped on my cot under a box elder tree along the little tennessee river this past weekend and it was great
Nice! Sounds like a good time to me.
I love your videos but I enjoy this one because there’s no snow 🤣. I learn new things each time.
Wow that was really cool, them ponys sure look like they got close!
They may be wild, but they're definitely not shy :)
I thought they were going to eat your lunch lol
Love the name perfect for outdoors or life in general - "unknown variable"
Fantastic .
I just realized when you reached the main road towards the end, the landscape is reminiscent of Keycatrich town in Final Fantasy XV. Also that looming rain looked ominous and epic at the same time. Overall that was a really fun adventure!
Just did the pine mountain scales AT loop last weekend. Epic place to hang out.
Always a pleasure to see what you're getting into. Just did Humphreys peak in AZ, its no 14er but 12600 was plenty for me! Take care and thanks for sharing.
You have a good place to camp, good view, and know where the water is. If iI didn’t have any other place to be, that a damn good place to park it. One of the ponies has bad feet, tough luck. Texas
Yup, that's about what I was thinking as well. And I did notice that pony while editing the video. Looks like he's in need of a little help during the annual round up for veterinarian check-ups.
Love that area! Not far from me going to the area in a couple of weeks! Hey you should do the AT from Roan Mountain to Hwy19 the views are wonderful! Love your videos!
Thanks, Barbara. I'll have to check that out!
Love the videos my man with a slight critique Mount Mitchell in the state of North Carolina is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River at 6684 FT
Ha! If I didn't take rain gear it would storm. You da man!
Mount Mitchell NC is highest peak 6684:)
Nice one.
I did that trail last year to the top of Mt. Rogers. Beautiful country. The sky’s opened up 5 minutes after I got back to the car also. My only complaint about the trail are all the boulders and large rocks on the trail.
Nothing like clouds with dirty bottoms to make your life interesting.
Enjoying the Highlands with you. Thanks for the video. I don’t like the look of those clouds. Might be time to head back.
I know a few people have already commented on the tallest peak in the east. So I’ll instead make a trip suggestion if you’re interested in tackling the tallest mountains east of the Mississippi next time you’re in NC. The Black Mountain Crest Trail is 11.5 miles and passes 5 of the 10 tallest eastern peaks, including 1 and 2. Makes for a good overnight trip, or multi night if you tack on other trails in the area.
Yeah, I have no idea why I said that. Probably should have edited that out, haha. Thanks for the trail idea, I going to look into that. Sounds cool!
sintax......I really respect you man. You get out and do it. And you are open about your hikes and explain so much. I don't see how you are at 15 pounds when where you are the nights could get to 40 degrees or so at this time of year. How do you stay warm sleeping? I REALLY need to drop my weight. I am pushing 20-25 pounds at this time of year. Thank you so much for all your videos. They really let me live through you.
I would imagine my lows for this trip only went down to the mid to low 50's, but I was usually under my 14oz 40 degree quilt when that happened. Any colder and I would have added in a base layer, hat and puffy jacket - the pounds would have really started to stack up at that point.
was just up there a few weeks ago. just missed a chance to meet you. keep the great videos coming.
Hey Sintax77, I just came back from my first back packing trip in Red River Gorge. I a hugh fan. This past year I beat liver cancer twice and had my Aorta value replaced. I'm 64 years old and I wanted to know where you would suggest I go next.
That's awesome to hear! Glad you're making out alright. If you've done RRG, I'm thinking you may live in that general area, so I would recommend checking out Big South Fork if you haven't already. It's maybe 2.5 hours south of Lexington KY or so.
@@sintax77 I live in Ohio, where is BIG Southfork?
That is better than the whole tent, you can reach out to pet the bears this way!
Mt Washington isn't the tallest mountain in the East Coast.
It's Mount Mitchell in North Carolina is the tallest mount east of the Mississippi.
Mount Mitchell - 6,684 ft tall.
Mount Washington - 6,288 ft tall
Mt. Mitchell at 6684 ft is the highest east of the Mississippi. Mt. Laconte I believe is the second, just an FYI
Mitchell in N.C., Clingman's Dome then LeConte, both in Tn. I do believe I got to go to this Grayson Highlands. Looks like my kind of place.
Mt. Craig (next to Mitchell) is the second tallest. Clingman’s Dome is 3rd. LeConte is the 6th tallest on the east coast.
Came here to correct him on the tallest mountain on east coast but looks like y’all beat me to it. 😂
Mt. Mitchell in N. Carolina is the tallest mountain east of the Mississippi. 6,604 asl.
Upload from Sintax??? My night just got better!
That fast-fly setup is a nice option. I just worry about how well it will keep out the wind and rain in severe conditions.
It was great for calmer conditions like these, but you make a valid point - for hard driven rain or cold winds you would definitely want the full set up. In a pinch, I could have pitched the prevailing wimd side down tighter to the ground,, bit it certainly wouldn't have been ideal. Survivable, but not ideal ;)
I was excited this morning to see another video from you. Luckily you were sharing your campsite with ponies and not bears! The Grayson Highlands looked lovely; It looked like at the very end it was pouring down on you. I know what you mean about modern jeans. For the ladies out there, my fave is Not Your Daughter's Jeans. They are so comfy with stretch just as you described but they are only for women. My daughter and I are off on an adventure to Paris and London in two weeks! We won't be camping, In fact I have splurged on two nice air b n b's each with balconies and views. I figure why not? It's part of the entertainment. We will be doing plenty of interesting, city hiking though, so the comfy water proof Uggs will be the first thing I put in my bag. You should have another little care package in your PO Box, if you haven't gotten it already, as I received a delivery notice. Enjoy and keep hiking!
Thanks, Barb! It took me a bit to get there, but I got it:) Those are some Packit Gourmet dishes that we haven't actually tried before, so I'm looking forward to them on the next trip. And, yes I missed that rain by about 8 minutes. It was a close one, haha.
I keep herring about your cheeseberger after your hike it would be great to see you eat a couple after your hike
I live in upstate ny, about 70 miles north of nyc. it’s been great getting to know these areas the past year or so through this channel and others. Gonna definitely check this park out next month.
Question...how do these ponies survive out there with the bears and such? That’s amazing.
Worst thundstorm I've ever experienced was camped was really close to your second camp. Lightning so frequent and bright I could read in the tent. Wind blowing so hard I thought the tent poles would break. Beautiful area up there though, I try to get there at least every other year.
You're actually the second person to say that. It definitely sounds like it's not the best place to do if a decent storm hits.
On that Maxim bandwagon boi, nice, $15.99 for 100pkts or 50 servings isnt too bad, and taste is alright! I mix a yellow (mocha) with a brown (arabica).
Hello Sintax, I love your videos I was wondering if the code still works for the jeans?
Thank you for all your hard work and time on these videos they are truly awesome.
KEEP ADVENTURING
GOD BLESS YOU
🤗HUGS🤗
A burger and a beer sounds better
Michael Jackson called. He wants his pants back. Just messing with you. We always look forward to your videos. Come and hike with us in Maine sometime.
Great watch there sir. Ever considered tarping? I kind of have a problem with tents. I feel like a tent is a whole compilation of items sewn together where if one item is compromised in any way it can severely compromise the integrity of the entire system. Just my crazy thoughts i reckon. Take care man
Mount Mitchell North Carolina I believe is taller than Washington.
Not sure how much you use those iodine tablets for your water but you camp a lot you can get to much in your system. Have fun on your outings and stay safe.
I'm sad that my ancestors killed the last bears and wolves that roamed the UK and I'm sad they cut down the forests, we are talking abut bronze age man here, not anybody that can be blamed. They left us with some incredible moorland though which you would struggle to experience anywhere else in the world. Enables me to camp anywhere though without hanging my food or worrying about predators. The peak district, Dartmoor, the lake district and north York moors are absolutely stunning but it would be nice to have bears and wolves reintroduced. we are currently reintroducing beavers and wild boar though and re planting massive areas of forest.
Thanks for another good video. I so enjoy watching your video's. Question? Were those pony's wild or on a farm?
They were introduced by humans to graze the area, but they are wild and roam about freely. I do believe they do a vetinary check up on them and annually though.
Thanks for getting back to me. Have a great day!
If you have to share your campsite they were mighty nice neighbours.
Do cool to see the ponies
hey man thanks for bringing us along on your trip. I've stayed in that beautiful area you stayed on night 2, but there was a group already there in that particular spot. In that whole open area though i found it incredibly hard to find a spot of say, 8'x4' that did not have giant pony pies to contend with...... Did you run into that at all?
Anyway, thanks again, I too was inspired to go there after watching your video from years ago. But i followed the path that Adventure Archives did that started in the park south of there.
Hey Sintax, I found out where Big South Fork is. I've gotten into getting healthy and I'm starting to get into Free Lance Photography. Any special places to take photographs there? Thank you for reading my comment the last time, it felt pretty good that you actually listen to your followers. I'm hoping to build myself up to do the Triple Crown some day.
Nice to see you back out on the trail
It's obvious that Sarah didn't kill you from that small little debacle from last video
But you two did make it work awesome to both of you for a fantastic marriage
I noticed that you are using a different type of camera you are not having the usual large pixels in blacks and greens that I normally see
In 4k or 1080p or even 2K
Usually in any one of those three modes I see a lot of pixelation for some strange reason this one very beautiful
Perhaps it was just some shots that I lucked out on with better natural lighing? Still running a stock GoPro hero 8 black.
Actually Mt. Mitchell it taller than Mt. Washington, but Washington is the tallest on the AT ... Mitchell is the tallest east of the Mississippi
Gorgeous hike! Ok Question: do u really leave your camera on the ground and walk away, only to run back n grab it and edit it out? Or is that a drone? Also did the horses step on the camera?? Thanks again for helping me see the outdoors!
Nope, no drone in this one. It's a National Recreation Area, so they're actually not allowed to be operated there. The horses almost knocked the camera over several times, but ot survived. I would just leave on the ground and walk away and they would often get curious about what it was, haha.
I will be in the grayson highlands in 2 weeks. This vids had perfect timing! How far was the water from the 2nd nights campsite?
It's pretty close, only a few minutes walk down the hill. It's close enough that you can kind of just get it whenever you need it.
@@sintax77 Thanks! Great vid!
We getting a video before the new year?