View Poll Results: Are you going on the Trail Days hike to Damascus?

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  • Yes, I'll get a shuttle to Mt. Rogers.

    5 16.67%
  • Yes, I'm parking at Mt. Rogers and need a shuttle back to my car.

    0 0%
  • Yes, I'm parkin at Mt. Rogers and can get back to my car on my own.

    0 0%
  • No, I'm not going.

    25 83.33%
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  1. #1
    Senior Member Hooch's Avatar
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    Trail Days Hike Planning and Poll #2

    Trail Day Hike Itinerary Redeux

    So, after looking at the original plan for this hike and considering it a bit deeper, we thought that a couple days at nearly 12 miles/day was just a little too much for some, including us. So we did a little more looking and planning and came up with what we believe to be 2 good options. Option 1 is to start on Tuesday, 11 May at Massie Gap and hike for a total of 30.8 miles over 4 days. Option 2 is to start at Whitetop Mtn Rd/USFS 89 on Wednesday and hike for a total of 21.3 miles over 3 days. Anyone who wanted to take Option 2 would meet the group at Whitetop Mtn. Rd/USFS 89 on Wednesday morning. Here are the proposed mileages:

    Day 1, Tuesday, 11 May
    Massie Gap to Whitetop Mtn Rd/USFS 89
    9.6 miles
    Camping, water, no privy.
    If you are hiking Option 1, you will start here.

    Day 2, Wednesday, 12 May
    Whitetop Mtn Rd/USFS 89 to Lost Mountain Shelter
    5.5 miles
    Shelter, water, privy.
    If you are hiking Option 2, you will start here.

    Day 3, Thursday, 13 May
    Lost Mountain Shelter to Saunders Shelter
    6.4 miles
    Shelter, water, privy.

    Day 4, Friday, 14 May
    Saunders Shelter to Damascus
    9.4 miles
    The hike in to Damascus is mostly downhill or reasonably flat with 2 minor climbs.

    Generally speaking, in this section there are no difficult climbs at all, with plenty of downhill walking. We're really looking forward to this hike, it'll be a great way to kick Trail Days off. I hope that the new options will make this easier and more enjoyable for anyone who wants to attend.

    As far as getting to Massie Gap, I think the best way to do this is to catch a shuttle in Damascus. Shuttles are available from various places in Damascus, such as Mount Rogers Outfitters and Sundog Outfitters. You can also park a car at the parking area and I'd be happy to help shuttle folks back to their cars at the end of the hike. Although I'm sure that some folks will hike together, please bear in mind that this is a hike your own hike event. Hope to see plenty of y'all there.

    Elevation profiles are available in any good AT guiebook. I'm kinda partial to Awol's The AT Guide. They are also availble from Mr. Parkay.
    Last edited by Hooch; 04-26-2010 at 08:38.
    "If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl

  2. #2
    Senior Member Cuffs's Avatar
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    I'm hiking nobo from Hampton, TN. Where you guys camping in damascus?
    Get busy living, or get busy dying.

  3. #3
    Senior Member WrongTurn's Avatar
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    Edited to Show support for new out of shape hiker approved plan.


    Thanks Hooch.
    Last edited by WrongTurn; 04-26-2010 at 08:46.
    Not the guy to ask for Directions.

  4. #4
    Senior Member LostCause's Avatar
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    Our tentative plan is to hike after trail days. I asked for time off but not until the 14th. We plan to start our hike in Damascus after trail days, but have not worked out yet how we will get there or where we will be staying during trail days - I heard the campground has limited availability... Any thoughts? Recommendations for travel? Fly into ___ and take ___ to ____ to end in Damascus?

  5. #5
    Senior Member WrongTurn's Avatar
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    Lost Cause I'd fly into Tri-Cities Airport, and then get a shuttle from there to the closest trail crossing then hike NOBO into Damascus and then catch a shuttle from Sundog or MRO, or PM Lonewolf over on Whiteblaze for a shuttle back to the airport.
    Not the guy to ask for Directions.

  6. #6
    Senior Member Hooch's Avatar
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    BUMP!!

    Ok, Dancer and I did some thinking and revised the hike plans, so take and look and see what you think. Hope this works out better for anyone who wants to attend.
    "If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl

  7. #7
    Senior Member WrongTurn's Avatar
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    I'm a definite go for the new plan.

    Tues or Wed Shuttle Riders Needed

    MRO is $50 to Massie Gap plus 5 Dollars for every person over 4 people.

    MRO is $40 to Whitetop plus 5 Dollars for every person over 4 people.

    Parking is then another 2 dollars a day.

    I'd be willing to catch an early shuttle either day to meet up with the group.
    Last edited by WrongTurn; 04-26-2010 at 09:03.
    Not the guy to ask for Directions.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Hooch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by WrongTurn View Post
    I'm a definite go for the new plan.

    Any idea what Shuttle you want to use?

    MRO is $50 to Massie Gap plus 5 Dollars for every person over 4 people.

    Parking is then another 2 dollars a day.

    So If we have 10 people it would be around 8.00 a person for the shuttle plus the costs for parking your vehicles.
    Glad you'll be joining us. As far as shuttles are concerned, every person is responsible for arranging their own shuttle. If you want to go in with someone else for a shuttle to reduce costs, feel free to do so. A friend (Lone Wolf) is shuttling us, so we're locked on and ready to go. I think Happy Camper is getting JD to shuttle her to the trail head. I'm sure that you can work something out to get to which ever trail head you prefer for cheap.
    "If you play a Nicleback song backwards, you'll hear messages from the devil. Even worse, if you play it forward, you'll hear Nickleback." - Dave Grohl

  9. #9
    Senior Member WrongTurn's Avatar
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    Ahh ok Wolf and Gypsy gave me a shuttle a few months back.


    MRO is going to be busy that week, so if there is 1 or 2 other people who need to catch a shuttle to Massie Gap send me a PM or post up so that we can go ahead and secure transportation. Splitting $50 2 or 3 ways makes my wallet cry less.
    Not the guy to ask for Directions.

  10. #10
    Senior Member HappyCamper's Avatar
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    Good, I'm glad to see less mileage. Yes, JD is dropping at my starting point and then he's heading into Damascus to work the Leki Booth. I'm grabbing ride back home with him at the end of Trail Days.

    Here was something I was looking at that's about 23.5 miles form Wed. to Friday. I wanted to make for a short day on Friday so when I get into Damascus I'd have lots fo energy.

    FORGET THIS, I'M GOING WITH OPTION 2 ABOVE ! !


    Tuesday Evening
    Camp at Elk Garden. Bring water for evening and next morning. No water marked on map.

    Wednesday
    Hike from Elk Garden to Lost Shelter. 8 miles.

    Thursday
    Hike 10 miles to US/Straight Branch campsite. No water at campsite Looks like stream close by. I know nothing about this camping spot. Decent or not? I don't know?

    Friday
    Hike 5.5 miles to Damascus.

    Anyone familiar with these spots and can tell me details on water and camping?
    Last edited by HappyCamper; 04-27-2010 at 07:14.
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