Firming up campout plans

**slowhike** · 12-15-2006, 20:44

back in message 46 of this thread i was suggesting that if rough weather is heading our way as we approach that weekend & the state park closes trail heads with-in the park, we might want to have a plan B.
i mentioned this to my friend don at a local outfitter, knowing that he used to live up there & worked for a outfitter (in damascs i think) for a number of years.
i told him that one alternative place that came to mind (still in the "mt rogers rec area") was the wooded area along the trail going from elk garden parking area toward thomas knob shelter.
don pointed out that the trail is traveling up the west side of mt rogers, so the prevailing winds would likely be sweeping up through those leafless trees.
he pointed out that cliffside trail (near old orchard shelter) follows a creek up between two mountains & would likely be much more protected.
not to mention plentiful water.
it`s a short hike in (up lewis fork trail) from the parking area, which is between grindstone campground & fox creek trail head.
just a thought.

**headchange4u** · 12-16-2006, 01:20

Plan B is a good idea. The location you suggested is fine with me.

**Bird Dog** · 12-18-2006, 08:31

Its always good to have a Plan B and this one sounds fine although I'm not real familiar with the trail you suggest. However, I have hiked the Elk Garden to Thomas Knob three times. There is an area about halfway between the two where the horse trail meets the AT (Deep Gap?) where camping is nor permitted. I like the Old Orchard Shelter area idea.

SlowHike, let me know as it gets close if I need to get us a map of the area before we go.

BD

**slowhike** · 12-18-2006, 16:30

i`ve got a map & may get another copy made from the nat geo program (zeroed in a little closer) before then.

**Coffee** · 12-18-2006, 23:41

I can bring an AT map of that area if it helps.

**slowhike** · 12-18-2006, 23:59

it would be a good idea to be sure that you or at least some one you`ll be riding w/ has a map that shows all the trails you`ll be intersecting with.
i`m not sure if i have an AT map of that section to look at. it may give you what you need.
but i`ll bet someone here can tell you how to pull it up on line & print it.

**Ewker** · 12-19-2006, 08:52

all you need is the Nat Geo map of Mt Rogers. It has all of the trails (horse,hiking and biking) It only cost 10.00 and worth it

**Just Jeff** · 12-30-2006, 22:11

Firm plans. Show up Friday night, 26 Jan, at Wise Shelter. We'll camp Fri-Sun. If you're showing up on Saturday, we'll use the shelter as a meeting place...I'm sure a few folks will want to day hike on Saturday, but we'll end up back at the shelter Saturday night.

You guys wanna have a community dinner on Saturday night? I assume there are no fire restrictions...I can bring some hot dogs if someone wants to volunteer buns, potato salad, etc. It's a short enough hike that weight shouldn't be a problem, and folks showing up Friday can leave it in a cooler in the car until Saturday night.

Or we could just all bring our own...either way is fine with me.