Firming up campout plans

**Just Jeff** · 01-24-2007, 21:22

Looks good, Tim. I assume North is up in the pic. If I'm reading it right, we park in/near the tear-drop shaped turnaround on the right side, then hike NW on the red trail, which merges with the black trail. Skirt the park boundary, intersect the AT and the shelter is on the back side of the peak. Right?

**peanuts** · 01-24-2007, 21:35

i hope you guys have a great time this weekend. i hope to make the next one!
stay warm and dry....

**blackbishop351** · 01-24-2007, 21:36

I was thinking of parking at the "P" parking area toward the bottom left (marked Massie Gap), then taking the Rhododendron Gap Trail up to the AT, then taking the AT east to Wise. That section of the AT has some really nice views, btw, for anyone doing a shorter trip or not doing any day hiking. Of course, that parking area may not be accessible...Tim?

**Ewker** · 01-24-2007, 21:42

just make sure you don't take the Wilson Trail by mistake. It is a nice trail if you end up on it

**slowhike** · 01-24-2007, 21:44

Originally Posted by Just Jeff

Looks good, Tim. I assume North is up in the pic. If I'm reading it right, we park in/near the tear-drop shaped turnaround on the right side, then hike NW on the red trail, which merges with the black trail. Skirt the park boundary, intersect the AT and the shelter is on the back side of the peak. Right?

yep, north is up. but what looks like a tear drop shaped turnaround is actually the roads going through the camp sites in the camp ground.
notice that our red trail is on the left, just before the first campground road cuts off to the right.
the general store is directly across (on the right) from the red trail & parking.
i believe there is a sign on the building saying "general store", but if not it's a wood building, divided in the middle by a breeze-way.
the map shows a gate down the trail a ways, but it's just at the back of the small parking area i believe.
that's where the trail starts. it's actually a gravel service road & you can actually see it as the "main trail" as you pass by the other trails that you see on the map.
so just stay on the main, wide trail/road & when you come to the second creek, the stile that HOI talked about will be on your left.
if you choose to go accross the 2nd creek, you will soon come to the AT.
take a left on the AT & you will be at the wise shelter in less than 10 min.

**slowhike** · 01-24-2007, 22:01

Originally Posted by blackbishop351

I was thinking of parking at the "P" parking area toward the bottom left (marked Massie Gap), then taking the Rhododendron Gap Trail up to the AT, then taking the AT east to Wise. That section of the AT has some really nice views, btw, for anyone doing a shorter trip or not doing any day hiking. Of course, that parking area may not be accessible...Tim?

if you wanted to go in that way, they have a gravel parking area for overnighters that's not shown on this map.
if you take a right on that same campground road as the other parking area, you will see the "overnight parking area" (w/ sign) immediately on your left.
from that parking area, you can take the rodo gap trail, the horse trail, or the AT spur trail to get to wise shelter. but i'll be w/ you so i can show you were they are.
i meant to call GHSP today & check on the conditions, but i forgot.
i'll call tomorrow.
they told me that there is a certain combination of wind, temps, etc that they use to determine when they post that the trails in the park are closed.
if it looks like they will close trails, i'll ask them again about "what if people still choose to park & camp"?

**jlb2012** · 01-25-2007, 08:31

well topozone shows the area but does not show the AT and some of the other trails, this is where the shelter is located approximately : http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=...83&layer=DRG25

**The Breeze** · 01-25-2007, 08:39

that will work i just had to make sure i was going to the right place.

**slowhike** · 01-25-2007, 09:13

i called GHSP at 9am thurs, 25th, & the lady said they were getting snow.
when i asked about closing trail heads, she said they had no plans at this time to do so, but that could change at any time.
she said they were expecting frigid weather.
i'm off to work, but i suppose that we should talk about plan b so every one knows for sure where the other location is & if there is a last minute closing of the trails in the state park, everyone would know how to drive around to the other location which is outside GHSP but still in the mt rogers rec area.
people could get last minute info on the state park either by phone or driving into the park.
GHSP ...(276) 579-7092
area ranger ...(276) 783-5196

**slowhike** · 01-25-2007, 18:33

jeff... let me know if you need directions to mt rogers/GHSP.

looks like it's going to be particularly cold & windy fri, but things may ease-up some on sat for a day hike & the hot dogs.
i'll call GHSP again in the morn before i leave (about 9:30am) & post a message about conditions.
but if you're leaving before then, you could take the two numbers i gave last post back & give GHSP a call.

is it a group agreement that if GHSP closes trailheads due to weather conditions that we will go to plan B?

if so, we should be sure that every one understands how to get to the trailheads mentioned on the north side of mt rogers rec area.
this is not the time of year for confusion<g>.