hanging at mount rogers

**bigbrad73** · 05-03-2010, 10:49

I am just getting into hanging. Actually my first hang was this weekend in my WBBB. Me and two other guys were wanting to go to Mount Rogers. The other two guys are new to backpacking but went with me this weekend. I have been there once before about 8 years ago. I remember it being very open. What I am wondering is, what would be a good loop that we would make sure we have places to hang each night? 6-10 miles a day would be about right I guess. Any help would be appriciated. Thanks

**Shane** · 05-03-2010, 14:08

Rhodadendron gap to Thomas Knob shelter. Stop about 250 yards short of the shelter.

S

**Satty** · 05-03-2010, 14:51

http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/mr/
Blasting to take place week of May 3 in preparation for trail improvements on the Mt. Rogers NRA

I saw that when trying to look up info on the Iron Mtn Loop. Anyway it has been a long time since did this trail, but you might want to consider it.

http://bp2.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip/450251

**WrongTurn** · 05-03-2010, 20:58

Bigbrad as the resident local I can be of some help. There are few nice out and back trips as well as a couple loop trails. Send me a PM and I can set you up with the specifics.

**cooldays** · 05-03-2010, 21:39

If you don't expect too much wind then camping on rhodendendrum gap is very sweet. Ona windy night it can be difficult. Don't look to camp around thomas knob which is just sortof a muddy shelter. Look on your map for the water sournce near rhodendrum gap and when you find it you will find a nice ridge to camp on. Usulally there are quite a few people there on a weekend but there is a lot of space and they don't like the trees ) they like grass. You could get there from massie gap, a very nice hike, drop your gear, and then continue on with just a day pack after lunch to thomas knob or mount rogers peak if you want. Then the second night you could hike around to scales about 6 miles. I would keep going another bit (maybe 5 miles) on the AT then and stop at the wise shelter which has lots of nicer places to hang than scales. Scales has a parking area which doesn't appeal to me. If you don't feel like hiking that far just take the shorter route to wise shelter by following the AT rather than the crest trail, North passing the spur trail back to massey gap. Its a nice hike that goes over a ridge then down into the forest with a bridge crossing. Watch out for wise shelter...every time I go there I see Dutch.

enjoy

cooldays