Grayson Highlands

**wa4chq** · 03-28-2018, 12:09

Hi all...

In a couple of weeks I hope to get out for a few days and nights in the Grayson Highlands State Park. The one and only time I was out that way I didn't have any luck locating the water source between the Wilburn Ridge-Crest Trail junction and the Crest Trail-Lewis Fork Trail junction. It's shown on my NG Mount Rogers High Country map but I could not find it. Has anyone here been out that way recently and is the water source there? What should I be looking for?
IMG_20180328_125525142.jpg

Thanks

**TallPaul** · 03-28-2018, 12:46

@Gqgeek You have any intel on this water source? I seem to recall one of your threads included details. Like the OP I’ve been by this area but didn’t find the spring.

**Andymc** · 03-28-2018, 14:32

Yep, it's there. I used it walking the Pine Mtn trail this past Saturday. Easily noticeable from PMT. it's a small fenced off springhead. It's a ~15x15 pole fence to keep an area clear of horses. Maybe 100 ft off trail in an open field. I don't remember seeing the crest trail there, but I'm pretty sure it's just down the hill? I didn't notice the crest trail until the wilburn ridge intersection.
It looks accurately placed on the map, but it may be between PMT and crest trail. I remember seeing it not long after walking by the Lewis fork sign.

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**wa4chq** · 03-28-2018, 17:14

Originally Posted by Andymc

Yep, it's there. I used it walking the Pine Mtn trail this past Saturday. Easily noticeable from PMT. it's a small fenced off springhead. It's a ~15x15 pole fence to keep an area clear of horses. Maybe 100 ft off trail in an open field. I don't remember seeing the crest trail there, but I'm pretty sure it's just down the hill? I didn't notice the crest trail until the wilburn ridge intersection.
It looks accurately placed on the map, but it may be between PMT and crest trail. I remember seeing it not long after walking by the Lewis fork sign.

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tnx TallPaul and Andymc....I am sure I'll find it now!

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**krshome** · 03-29-2018, 21:18

yup it there! You have to walk through the camp sites down the hill and you will cross a gravel road and its just a little further. Best thing to do is ask someone camping there, that shouldn't be a problem.

**Gqgeek81** · 03-31-2018, 17:38

The icon on the map matches a sign out there that's pretty useless. You can wander into the woods and find a spring that's super muddy and not always running. (I've been by it only twice FWIW) but I don't know why you'd bother with it.

The actual spring is at 36.668693, -81.511431 and you can see it in Google Maps/Earth if you zoom in far enough.

**krshome** · 03-31-2018, 17:58

So I thought he was asking about the spring at Lat: 36.65413 Lon: -81.52374. The one that Lat: 36.66869 Lon: -81.51143 Gqgeek81 listed is not in the right spot on most maps and people always ask where it is when in that section. The one he shows is the one I use, but there is one around the corner in at the wood I think thats the one the maps show. Its at a camp site Lat: 36.66607, Lon: -81.51436 it is usually muddy and just a trickle not worth looking for. Well those three spots should get you hydrated if in that area.

**TallPaul** · 03-31-2018, 18:59

Good intel all. Thank you

**BuckeyeFan** · 03-31-2018, 19:33

My son and I refilled at this spring 36.668693, -81.511431 last year while visiting the ponies. Be advised, we needed a scoop (water bottle minus the top) to get the water out since it had a slow flow.

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**Gqgeek81** · 04-01-2018, 07:29

I have definitely always needed a scoop at that spring. Same with the one by Wise Shelter.

The springs in Deep Gap and near Thomas Knob are set up so you have free falling water coming out of them.