VA, 7th Grayson Falls Festival, Sept 28-30

**Bobo1234** · 07-16-2018, 11:23

Had a blast at the winter Grayson hang, and I'd love to be at this one but unfortunately it looks like that weekend may already be booked for me. Y'all have fun anyways!

**u.willie** · 07-17-2018, 09:12

Something to note (perhaps),
There have been a whole lot bear issues in and around the park (Grayson Highlands) this late spring/early summer. The vast majority being, food bags being taken (multiple per night). There's a thread on it over on WB fwiw. One attack on woman and dog, though that seems not to have been related to a food bag, and maybe more so an unleashed dog as I understand it.
Might be a good idea to keep in touch with the park for updates: trail closures, site closures, further bear encounters, food grabs, etc... Hopefully will be a complete non-issue come end of September - time will tell...

u.w.

**Rockdawg69** · 07-17-2018, 10:28

Originally Posted by u.willie

Something to note (perhaps),
There have been a whole lot bear issues in and around the park (Grayson Highlands) this late spring/early summer. The vast majority being, food bags being taken (multiple per night). There's a thread on it over on WB fwiw. One attack on woman and dog, though that seems not to have been related to a food bag, and maybe more so an unleashed dog as I understand it.
Might be a good idea to keep in touch with the park for updates: trail closures, site closures, further bear encounters, food grabs, etc... Hopefully will be a complete non-issue come end of September - time will tell...

u.w.

Thanks for update. There has been a problem in the past with one or two bears around the campground and other areas in the park. I think they trapped one a couple of years ago.

**peeeeetey** · 07-17-2018, 18:41

Me and the misses are excited. Let me know what I need to bring for the meals.

**Wraith6761** · 07-18-2018, 19:21

I'm gonna try to beg borrow or steal some time away from work to come out here...been too long since I've been able to get out there...

**gunner76** · 07-18-2018, 19:36

The Terminator and I are already discussing what gear we are going to bring and what to take to the demo on Saturday.

**jeff-oh** · 07-18-2018, 22:44

Originally Posted by u.willie

Something to note (perhaps),
There have been a whole lot bear issues in and around the park (Grayson Highlands) this late spring/early summer. The vast majority being, food bags being taken (multiple per night). There's a thread on it over on WB fwiw. One attack on woman and dog, though that seems not to have been related to a food bag, and maybe more so an unleashed dog as I understand it.
Might be a good idea to keep in touch with the park for updates: trail closures, site closures, further bear encounters, food grabs, etc... Hopefully will be a complete non-issue come end of September - time will tell...

u.w.

Was down there this past weekend. (July 13-15). Talked with Nat. Forest Service field personnel on the trail. They had an issue starting some 9 weeks back. 70+ food bags were taken. 5 weeks ago they put up electrified enclosures for people to put their food. Though Grayson Highland did close their trails the activity was centered up around Thomas Knob Shelter and Mt. Rogers. There have been no sightings or issues for 4 weeks now. The had no bear attacks at Grayson Highlands. The Bear attack of the woman and her dog happened up at Douthat State Park which is 170 miles north of Grayson up in the Washington/Jefferson Nat Forest.

We did have an issue with wild life in our camp... Issue was it was too cute.
pic2.jpg IMG_1283.jpg IMG_1285.jpg

**u.willie** · 07-18-2018, 23:30

Thanks for the update jeff-oh. Good news for sure, and some awesome photos. Glad you got to spend some time with the ponies.

Regarding the 'attack' or 'incident' with the bear, the woman and her dog - there's a bit of literature on another site (whiteblaze) indicating an 'incident' or 'attack' did indeed happen near the backpackers parking lot there at Grayson Highlands. That from a person who claimed to have been there and gotten that from not one, but three rangers.
Take it with a grain of salt i guess?? I don't have a dog in the fight either way - was just passing along info that I thought was worth sharing. Here's the thread - page 7 on my computer.

If I'm not out hiking a long trail somewhere, I'll be attending the hang there, end of this September. Did the last one, and it was a great time for sure

u.w.

**canIgotoo** · 07-20-2018, 06:22

Originally Posted by Wraith6761

I'm gonna try to beg borrow or steal some time away from work to come out here...been too long since I've been able to get out there...

And I am BEYOND EXCITED that you have signed us both up for this trip! You know I love Grayson Highlands!!!

**Rockdawg69** · 07-20-2018, 10:06

Originally Posted by Wraith6761

I'm gonna try to beg borrow or steal some time away from work to come out here...been too long since I've been able to get out there...

Good to see you are coming Adam. Noticed that CanIgoto says you signed them up. Don't see the extra 2 folks under you name in spreadsheet???????? We need accurate count for first 35 folks.
Thanks