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Mount Rogers & Grayson Highlands

  Start: 
Massie Gap
  Finish: same
  Distance: 3-4 miles roundtrip
  Location: Southern Virginia
 
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May 10, 2007 Hike #2

I got my AT miles in early today so that I would have time to take Lynn to Mount Rogers and Grayson Highlands. If you come in through the backdoor (the Appalachian Trail) it is free, but if you come in through the front door (park entrance) it will cost you two bucks.

The swelling in Madison's elbow has gone down considerably so we will bring her along. We have no real destination. We just want to enjoy the park and hope to see some ponies. We took the trail at Massie Gap up to where it links with the Appalachian Trail.Within 10 minutes we found some ponies.

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Before we started hiking, we read that not only are you not supposed to feed the ponies, but the park asks that you don't pet them.

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I think this pony is about to make a special delivery.

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Madison and the ponies seemed to get along just fine.

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It was an absolutely gorgeous day!

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We headed up the Appalachian Trail toward Wilburn Ridge where we found another herd of ponies.

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We left the AT and followed a blue blazed trail up to Wilburn Ridge.

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We got this hike in just in time. Storm clouds are rolling in.

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On the return trip we came across yet another herd of ponies.

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There's always another mountain to climb as I look up to Big Pinnacle.

If you are ever in southern Virginia, I highly recommend visiting Grayson Highlands State Park. Even if you don't do a lot of a hiking, you can just hike a mile or two. I've been here twice in five days. Already I can't wait to come back.

 

 


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