Those are great pictures, but no photos can really do justice to how expansive Grayson Highlands is. There's no where else in Virginia to get that kind of unbroken view unless you're on the Chesapeake Bay. That's a great trip report about a very special chunk of earth.
You've also solved a mystery for me. I go to Damascus about once a month for work. I never have much time, but always hike a short way out of town to hang and do a daybreak hike before getting to work. Sometimes I park at one of the trout fishing pulloffs on Rt. 58 and hike up from there. I've always wanted to take the IMT out of town, but I could never figure out which street it was from my map. I drove down all of them, but never found it. Fourth Street it is!
I also really like your ENO/WBB seasonal arrangement. I've been thinking about the same sort of setup. Unfortunately, that involves two hammocks I don't currently own.
.. truly to enjoy bodily warmth, some small part of you must be cold, for there is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself. If you flatter yourself that you are all over comfortable, and have been so a long time, then you cannot be said to be comfortable any more. - Herman Melville
There might be room to park a vehicle on the edge of Fourth at the turn where the trail begins. The previous photo in the report was within a half mile of the end of the actual foot trail, and I believe it to be the last water source until you are up on the ridge. However, as a hammocker, there are several spots up the trail where you could hang comfortably. Of course you can do the same from several points along the Creeper Trail as well.
One hanging options I found without having to pack in was to hang for $10 at Backbone Rock, 3 miles south of town on 133. It is right next to Beaver Dam Creek. Between all the cool air the valley collects, the rush of the creek, and the general quiet of no lights or electric noise, this spot provided one of my best night's sleep during my trip.
I'll keep all of those things in mind for the next trip. I've never sought cool night air in Virginia, though... I'm usually up on the side of a ridge trying to stay warm.
.. truly to enjoy bodily warmth, some small part of you must be cold, for there is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast. Nothing exists in itself. If you flatter yourself that you are all over comfortable, and have been so a long time, then you cannot be said to be comfortable any more. - Herman Melville
Very nice report and pics. Looks like very nice country. I could feel it.
" The mind creates the abyss, the heart crosses it."
“The measure of your life will not be in what you accumulate, but in what you give away.” ~Wayne Dyer
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It's official, I have GOT to stop reading these d*** trip reports! Now, like Stormcrow, I have "That look" & a wife saying "When you leaving?"
Great (awful?) report. I love that area, going to do the IMT next time I'm through that area.
Yep, I gotta stop reading hiking stories & start making my own.
When you have a backpack on, no matter where you are, you’re home.
PAIN is INEVITABLE. MISERY is OPTIONAL.
I'll echo everyone else's comments... great report! I've never been to the area, but it's definitely going on my "good" to do list!
In Aug I almost did the same route that Bearpaw did. We stayed more on the AT until we took the blue blaze ove to the IMT. It is a great trail and you won't see anyone on the IMT
'Classic.' A book which people praise and don't read.” ― Mark Twain
Who cares about showers, gourmet food, using flush toilets. Just keep on walking and being away from it all.
There are times that the only way you can do something is to do it alone.
GREAT trip report, as usual, Bearpaw! Thanks! I just now saw it. Am headed over that way for Thanksgiving weekend next week, though I'm doing Wise Shelter to Partnership Shelter with my family. Perhaps a tad cooler temps than you had, too.
Thanks for sharing!
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