Mount Rogers Grayson Highlands Winter Overnight

I had planned to join tom tom's Uwharrie hang this weekend but weather/rain forced a change of plans. Since family obligations required me to miss the Grayson Winter Hang that Hickery and slowhike sponsor, I decided to drive up to Troutdale VA to tackle the Mt Roger/Grayson Highlands ~21 mile loop via the Fox Creek Trailhead of VA 603. Got up there about 3pm on Friday and got on the Appalachian Trail headed south towards Wise Shelter where I planned to camp for the night. There's some good hanging spots on the federal land just before crossing the creek to enter that state park. I did about 7 miles on Friday and finished with a bit more than 14 miles on Saturday. I would have liked to stay and extra night for the forecasted snow, but my car isn't good in bad weather so I condensed the trip to 24 hours. This area has been covered a lot on various trip reports, so just posting some photos from my loop. Hope you enjoy.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...95d72bd3_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0be0afe1_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...02608a6c_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

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https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...60a6d3a2_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on FlickrTwistytee, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c2bb23ab_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2faf2cd0_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...9b19df89_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0f6d3e7e_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b8f5aed1_b.jpgUntitled by Twistytee, on Flickr

Very nice!! thanx for "taking me away"

Wow, Twistytee, thanks for sharing your trip!

Always a fun loop. Enjoyed the photos.

Great photos of what feels like serenity

Those are great pictures. Beautiful area, and I love the horses.

Start with wild ponies and how can you lose!

Great picks. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for all the kind comments y’all. It’s definitely a special place with the painted ponies and Scottish Highlands atmosphere. Once work settles down I’d enjoy setting up base camp and doing some day hikes of the area for more exploration. I have some similar aspirations for multiple loops in the Smokies.