It was a tough trip, but we made it ... in one afternoon. There and back. Its called speed hiking. Used to take 6 months. Now, it could be we hiked a couple miles in and got turned around and ended up back at the parking lot at Elk Garden, Whitetop Va. Our cabin is about 15 miles east as the crow flies, twice that by road.

I hunted this section 20-30 yrs ago, now try to coax anyone i can to hike in with me. Grandson lost this time around. We had a good trip, took the Ap Trail in and the Va Horse trail out. 5 miles round trip and a pretty easy walk. Beautiful scenery at the foot of the Mt Rogers summit. The summit is 5729 ft, highest mtn in Va. We got to see the wild ponies that wander between Mt Rogers and the Grayson Highlands State Park.

Proud of the grandson for humoring the old man, hard to find a youngster to share the time and a good hearty meal with these days.

Charlie

Haute cuisine!

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Looks like you had a great day capped off with a gourmet meal.

I'm looking forward to when my grandsons are old enough to hike and hunt with me.


Don

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Laus Deo! <><

If you have never read it, there is a great book about the Appalacian trail called "A Walk in the woods"

I hunted in that area back in the mid 70's. My dad had friends that lived just west of the park going out towards the Adwolfe/Chilhowie area.

I visited the Appalachian trail a few years ago where it crosses the Great Smoky Mtn. National Park.

That is some beautiful country.

We considered a hike, but since it was late in the day and we figured we couldn't make it to Maine before nightfall, we decided to come back another time

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OP, I've camped with the ponies. It is tough hiking in parts but well worth it in scenery.
If you go slow in the right time of year it's a pleasure.

Ahhh, 'The Trail'! In my area (s-c PA) we are good for several rescues a year getting people to safety from the trail. Last year I think we had four. None yet this year. Truly, it is usually someone who really should have known better than to go due to physical limitations. For us as first responders, it's often a nice walk in, but coming out it's no fun. And it is usually at a brutal access point where the trail crosses the Susquehanna River and goes up the mountain. It exhausts unfit hikers, then us carrying them out....

2 Springs ago I hiked across the Appalachian Trail. I was at the midpoint at Harpers Ferry, it took 4 or maybe 5 seconds!

Ivan

Sounds like a good time.
Vienna Sausages bring back a lot of memories. Alway had to have a can in my backpack for snacking at camp.

I've spent lotsa time backpacking the Appalachian Trail.


I remember one time, my buddies and I had been in the woods for 3 or 4 days and we came out at Harpers Ferry. When we left the trail, we heard gunfire and saw soldiers in Civil War uniforms shootin' at each other. It was a "Twilight Zone" moment. We realized it was a reenactment, watched for a bit then headed back to the woods.

Living in the mountains of West Virginia now, my wife and I hike and bike the area trails when the weather cooperates.

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Keep on Chooglin'

Whenever folks come to visit me, I try and take them to the top of Whitetop Mountain. The cut-off to the summit is about 45 minutes from my house. The water from the spring near the top is just wonderful.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Beautiful! Always wanted to experience the AT. I just spent three days walking a familiar section of the PCT and TRT in the Sierras, southwest of Lake Tahoe. I try to spend 1-2 nights every week from May to October, if I am in the States.

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Looks like a great day of hiking and quality time.

Growing up, I did a lot of hiking in the Adirondacks and wanted to thru-hike the AT after college. The Navy was doing delayed activations of up to 6 months for newly commissioned officers. I applied and was told it would most likely be approved, so I started planning. A few weeks later my orders showed up for me to report ten days after commissioning. I’ve had settle for short hikes a few different places.

Yes, BIL gave me the book years ago. They came out with a movie by the same title starring Robert Redfern and Nick Nolte. It was ok, but not as good as the book.

Charlie

As a Boy Scout I was in a troop that did a lot of hiking, I think in the late 50's we did everything from Harpers Ferry North to the Susquehanna at Duncannon Pa. Later in life as I traveled I always made it a point to hit the AT when I could. I have done short sections in Tenn, NC in the Great Smoky Mt. area. Virginia part of the section on the Skyline Drive, NY. and NH where passes through the White Mountains and crosses at Mt Washington. Don't do much Hiking today, the feet do not like it.

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Ray S&WCA #2810

Charlie, is that the same grandson that dove hunts with you?
Looks like you are helping to "raise him right".
Keep up the good work.

NO, I got 3. This is #1, the dove hunter is #2.

Hey Charlie, according to the local paper, the Galax Gazette, there was a person & dog encounter with a bear on June 16th. Seems the person had her dog off lease while walking the Cabin Creek trail, near the park. Neither the person nor the dog were injured badly and the bear ran off.

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John 3:16
WAR EAGLE!

Many years from now he will cherish the time he was with you and the hike along the trail !!

Charlie, that will keep you in shape for Tulsa. lee

yeah, thanks for reminding me.


Charlie

Kid has a good stride, looks like he'd have left you behind if the pack wasn't bouncing off his butt too badly!
All of GA, most of NC way back when.
The approach from Amicalola to the southern terminus atop Springer Mtn. was a heckuva way to start.

I grew up just off the A T in Mass. near Mt. Greylock. We used to frequently hike sections of the trail and it's truly beautiful. If any of you ever get there it's worthwhile to drive up to the top of Mt Greylock just to enjoy the views from the war memorial and visit the historic Bascom Lodge. I still remember the motto carved into the fireplace mantel. "As we journey through life let us live along the way"!
Jim

Now THAT is my idea of a good time!

You've got you a fine string of boys there, Grandpa. I'll bet you feel like one of the luckiest guys in the world.

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"He was kinda funny lookin'"

Appalachian Trail passes through my hometown of Roanoke, Va. As a matter of fact one of the most photographed spots on the trail is "Dragons Tooth" which is a day hike from here. Lots of through hikers pass through in June and an acquaintance of mine has an Outdoor shop about 3/4 from the trail and a lot of the through hikers stop in to replace gear etc. Also a number of restaurants and motels as well as post office soo it is a favorite short lay over for those folks!

A close friend of mine is a "section hiker" and has completed the trail that way. I think he did it over 10 years.