Dickey Gap to South Fork Holston River | Yaya and Mimi on the AT #52 Section Hiking

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March 2023 section Virginia 63.4 miles (8 hiking days) We stayed at an Airbnb Basecamp on Azen Rd in Konnarock, VA
Day one
5.4 miles Southbound
US 58 Straight Branch (mile 476.3) to Damascus, VA (mile 470.9)
We staged vehicles at both trailheads and ended by exploring the outfitters shops in Damascus because we have a hoodie and t-shirt addiction 😂 The Straight Branch trailhead is on a paved road and had plenty of parking. Both trailheads were less than 20 minutes from the Airbnb. A very pretty section with creeks and footbridges.
Day two
9.2 miles Northbound
US 58 Straight Branch (mile 476.3) to
VA 859, Grassy Ridge Rd (mile 485.5)
Blair dropped us at Straight Branch (14 minutes away) that morning and the first two miles were gorgeous along the Whitetop Laurel River paralleling the famous Virginia Creeper trail. At the end of the day, Blair tried picking us up at the Luther Hassinger Bridge, but we could not find out how to get down to that side of the river where the parking was. So he hollered for us to go further up the trail and he picked us up at Grassy Ridge Rd instead, which was only about 7 minutes from the Airbnb.
Day three
9.4 Southbound
VA 600 Elk Garden (mile 494.9) to
VA 859, Grassy Ridge Rd (mile 485.5)
We were hesitant to hike on this day because of the below freezing temperatures and wind advisories, but we felt like we had the proper gear and plenty of road crossings if we needed to bail off the trail. This day was completely out of our comfort zone. Being from Florida and Georgia, we were not accustomed to the snow. We should have brought water in insulated containers because our water bottles froze solid. The blizzard-like conditions at Buzzard Rock will forever be burnt into my brain as the first time I feared for my life on the trail. There were 50 mph wind gusts walking across the balds. It was hard to see the trail in the blowing snow. Elk Garden was 12 minutes from the Airbnb.
Day four
7.9 Southbound
Massie Gap (mile 502.8) to
VA 600 Elk Garden (mile 494.9)
We drove 12 minutes to Elk Garden trail head and staged Stephen’s truck. Then it was 25 minutes to Massie Gap parking to start hiking SOBO for the day. Parking is $7 at Massie Gap. Be prepared for muddy trails. I got to use my micro spikes for the first time. Fat man squeeze was like an ice cave. We passed the side trail to Mount Rogers which is the highest peak in Virginia. All the locals said the extra mile wasn’t worth it because it’s just a grove of trees with no summit or view. Lots of beautiful Christmas tree farms driving to Massie Gap.
Day five
9.8 Northbound
Massie Gap (mile 502.8) to
Fox Creek, VA 603 (mile 512.6)
We left Stephen’s truck at Fox Creek (13 minutes from Airbnb) and drove to Massie Gap to start. It was $7 to park. We saw our first 3 ponies on the ridge about half a mile in. The trails are very muddy here year round. There was still soft snow on the ground so we stopped to build a tiny snowman and throw snowballs at each other. We saw 2 more ponies on the grassy ridge, but we encountered the biggest group of ponies near the Scales corral. They were very curious and came right up to us. The last 4 miles back down to Fox Creek were beautiful but very rocky. Our feet were very sore by the end of the day. An added bonus were all the Christmas tree farms we saw on the drive from the Airbnb to the trailheads. Massie Gap was a 36 minute drive from the Airbnb.
Day six
7.6 Northbound
Fox Creek, VA 603 (mile 512.6) to Dickey Gap VA 650 gravel (mile 520.2)
We left Stephen’s truck at Dickey Gap at the paved intersection of VA 16 and VA 650, a 22 minute drive from the Airbnb. Then we drove back over to Fox Creek at VA 603 and left our vehicle there and started our hike northbound. It had a beautiful start across a wooden footbridge and cascading creek. We climbed for about a mile and a half before heading downhill towards Comers Creek. Be aware of the reroute due to the bridge being removed. It made for a long uphill detour on VA 650 back up to Dickey Gap.
Day seven
6.2 Northbound
Dickey Gap VA 650 gravel (mile 520.2) to
VA 670, South Fork Holston River (mile 526.4)
We had a 15 degree cold start. We left Stephen’s truck at VA 670, South Fork Holston River which was a 33 minute drive from the Airbnb. Then we drove 15 minutes to Dickey Gap and left our vehicle and started northbound there. It about a mile and a half climb then mostly downhill from there. The ground was crunchy from moisture erupting in icicles from the ground. It never got above freezing all day.
Day eight
7.9 Northbound
VA 670, South Fork Holston River (mile 526.4) to VA 16, Pat Jennings Visitor Center (mile 534.3)
Blair shuttled us to both trailheads. Honestly this section was kind of bland. The highlight of the day was eating pizza at the famous Partnership Shelter right before the Pat Jennings Visitor Center, which was about a 34 minute drive from the Airbnb.