(click on the links in the text for more photos)
(click on the links in the text for more photos)
Text by Roger Jenkins, photos by Roger Jenkins and Will Skelton
Seven of us headed for the spectacular high country of Southwestern Virginia on this late June weekend, with a promise of another group member meeting us at our backcountry site. We started our trip at the spot where the Appalachian Trail comes off the Mt. Rogers escarpment, climbing up through hardwood forest. We gathered at the first trail shelter, to have an early lunch before tackling the climb to Pine Mountain. Our sweat and heavy breathing were rewarded with huge expansive views from the Pine Mountain crest. We were disappointed that the rhododendrons at the Gap named for them were past their peak, but the views and the dry cool air compensated. We picked up the AT at Rhodo Gap, heading south, and eventually dropped cross country to a wonderful campsite on Cabin Ridge not accessible by foot trails. Wild ponies shared our campsite and begged for food. We were distracted from dinner by a spectacular high country sunset.
The next morning, fog shrouded camp, and altered the entire character of the meadow in which we were camped. We packed up our gear, and relied on compass and GPS readings to make our way back to the AT. After a brief stop to check out the solar powered privy at the Thomas Knob shelter, we headed for Deep Gap, and our last views of the Mt. Rogers High Country. Soon we plunged down the rocky Mt. Rogers, headed for the highway and a chance to jog downhill to our cars.
