Mt. Rogers Loop Hike Continued
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At this
point the Appalachian Trail joins an intersection with
two other trails. Mapreading skills are good for this
area but as long as you follow the white blazes of the
Appalachian Trail, you can't go wrong. In this area as
most areas, you will need a map to navigate the confusing
trails. Trails
Illustrated Maps can be purchased at the visitors
Center, the front gate or the Park office. At this point
the Rhododendron Gap Trail joins the Appalachian
Trail in an open area. Continue over another ridge
until you reach another trail junction. Looking forward
towards the split rail fence is a beautiful view of the
Virginia Mountains and countryside. This grassy spot is
a very popular junction for hikers to take a break. |
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| The Lewis Fork Wilderness
sign to the left is on the AT. Follow the AT and enter
a bushy, shrubby, balsam - fir forest that is a characteristic
of high elevations here and at the lower elevations of
Canada.. There are many pony trails in here and the chances
of seeing more ponies are good. This patch of woods is
another change of landscape that is very pleasing to the
eye. This is also an excellent place to camp in windy
weather. This forest of trees shelter campers from the
strong winds that frequent these rocky, treeless balds. |
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After
winding through this patch of trees the trail continues
on to the Thomas Knob Shelter. This is a unique shelter,
on the edge of the forest, is unusual because it has
a latrine and an open area in front of the shelter..
After leaving the shelter the trail enters an open field.
Deer are frequently spotted on this section of trail. |
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| Just ahead
is another turnstile to negotiate and the spur trail for
Mt. Rogers. Shortly after turning on the trail you leave
the open field and enter a Spruce forest. The hike turns
into a walk through a mossy tunnel of spruce trees. The
forest floor is thick with fallen needles. The forest
interior is so dark that it lacks under story trees or
shrubs. The hike takes you through yet another change
! At 5729 feet Mt. Rogers is the highest point in Virginia.
There isn't a view from the summit of Mt. Rogers but this
perfect example of a Boreal Forest made the side trip
worth it. |
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Double back to the
Lewis Fork Wilderness sign and turn right on the Crest
Trail. This open area is frequently used by hikers as
a camping area because it is close to a spring. This has
been a dry year and the spring is no longer there. There
is, however, a water source just ahead on the Rhododendron
Gap Trail. Continue to a trail on the left . This is the
Rhododendron Gap trail and takes you back to Massie Gap.
After walking approximately 1000 feet look to the right
of the trail. The wet spot you see is good enough to filter
water from. As you walk back to Massie Gap you might not
be able to risk the temptation to climb up to Wilburn
Ridge again! |
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| The total mileage for this
hike to Mount Rogers from Massie Gap and back is approximately
8 rugged miles |
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