We are doing fine and enjoying the views of the mountains
We are doing fine and enjoying the views of the mountains
I am still 18 but with 52 years of experience !
I have an impromptu trip with the 16 yr old to Grayson Highlands Mon-Wed. We are going to probably hike in from Elk Garden, stay near Thomas Knob shelter, and do a loop over 3 days / 2 nights. I’ll try to take a few pics and report back.
I too will something make and joy in it's making
The parking lot at Elk Garden has room for ~30 cars. When I arrived at 2pm on Monday, there were 6 cars. When I left at 6pm on Tuesday, there were 5 cars. I suspect that lot gets full early on weekends, but weekdays seem to not be busy.
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Have better info…the first big set of camping spots near where the Horse trail and AT come together is just under 2 miles from the Elk Garden parking lot. The trail to the water source was marked and the trail had clearly been used. The sign says it’s 0.3mi from site to water source, so not very close. But it’s an relative easy 2 miles from the parking lot to the camp sites. And the trees are perfect for hanging - the main site between the trails could handle 6+ hammocks.
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For Hammocking, there are more good sites at Rhododendron Gap than Thomas Knob. We had a hard time finding something near the Thomas Knob shelter to handle 2 hammocks. But there were lots of choices at Rhododendron Gap that could handle 4 or more hammocks. I’ll keep that in mind for next time - it’s less than a mile from Thomas knob shelter and also had a decent water source and a bear box.
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Just a quick weather report… while central N.C. was under a heat advisory, we had temps in the 70s and 25mph winds at Grayson Highlands at 5400ft. My teen actually got chilly once we made camp and started dinner.
Around midnight, the first of 2 big thunderstorm systems came through. The second came 5-6am. One does not easily sleep through thirds kind of storms… even with ear plugs. Constant roll of thunder and local strikes that makes one remember that they are on a ridge top. My 13ft SLD silpoly tarp with doors was pitched tight and kept me dry, but 30+ mph gusty winds are noisy no matter how tight a tarp is pitched.
The next day we had 25mph winds blowing the fog over the ridge. No majestic views through the thick fog, but we never got hot!
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Last edited by SubaruWx; 06-14-2022 at 22:31.
SubaruWx, thank you very much for the good info.
I do remember there not being many suitable hammock sites. We may need to proceed down the Pine Mountain trail.
Very useful info. Thanks.
I too will something make and joy in it's making
Glad you had a good trip despite the wind and T storms. There’s a decent hammock camp site near Thomas Knob Shelter just off the AT past the bear box. It’s on the north side of the trail tucked into a grove of evergreens. Agree that Rhododendron Gap has more choices but it can get crowded on summer weekends with scout troops.
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