Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 4, 1990 TAG: 9007070094
SECTION: MOUNT ROGERS PAGE: 8 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
\ The 60-mile-long Mount Rogers National Recreation Area stretches from the New River near Ivanhoe westward along the south side of Interstate 81 to Damascus. Major access off the interstate to the high country is Virginia 16 south from Marion and Virginia 600 south from Chilhowie.
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HEADQUARTERS
\ MOUNT ROGERS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA: Route 1, Box 303, Marion 24354, on Virginia 16 south of Marion. (703) 783-5196.
GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK: Route 2, Box 141, Mouth of Wilson 24363, on U.S. 58 between Independence and Damascus. (703) 579-7092.
\ MAP-BROCHURES
\ MAPS: Mount Rogers High Country and Wilderness - 18-by-24-inch on water- and wear-resistant material, 1: 2,400 scale, $3, available at Mount Rogers National Recreation Headquarters, Grayson Highlands State Park and Jefferson National Forest Headquarters, Poff Federal Building, Roanoke.
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area Sportsman's Map - shows entire recreation area, $2 from recreation area headquarters, state park or Jefferson headquarters.
Appalachian Trail section through Mount Rogers area - $5, from recreation area headquarters, bookstores.
BROCHURES: Individual pamphlet on the following subjects - Circuit Hikes, Cross-Country Skiing, High Country Trails, Horseback Riding, Recreation Areas, Lewis Fork Wilderness, Little Dry Run Wilderness, Little Wilson Creek Wilderness. Available free from Mount Rogers headquarters or Jefferson National Forest headquarters.
Grayson Highlands State Park, free from Division of State Parks, 1201 Washington Building, Capitol Square, Richmond 23219, (804) 786-2132.
\ HIGH COUNTRY ACCESS
\ ELK GARDEN GAP: On Virginia 600 north of U.S. 58; Appalachian Trail northwest puts hiker into alpine country. Mount Rogers summit is about four miles.
PINE MOUNTAIN JEEP TRAIL: Rough three-mile drive or hike on Jeep trail from Fairwood on Virginia 603 west of Troutdale goes to Scales on Pine Mountain and into alpine country.
MASSIE GAP: In Grayson Highlands State Park reached off U.S. 58; puts hiker into scenic Wilburn Ridge area by following Rhododendron Gap Trail to Appalachian Trail. Mount Rogers summit is about four miles.
\ FAMILY CAMPING
\ BEARTREE: On U.S. 58, seven miles east of Damascus; 113 sites, warm showers and flush toilets, trailer dumping station, fishing, swimming May 16-Sept. 16, picnicking, $2 per car day use, $8 a night camping. Group camping under a reservation system, 1-800-283-2267.
COMERS ROCK: On Forest Service Road 57 west of U.S. 21 between Wytheville and Independence; 10 sites, pit toilets, hand pump, open all year, no fee.
GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK: On U.S. 58 between Independence and Damascus; 109 sites, hot showers, flush toilets, dumping station, $8.50, reservations (804) 490-3939.
GRINDSTONE: On Virginia 603 west of Troutdale; 108 sites, warm showers, flush toilets, dumping station, open May-December, $6 fee.
HURRICANE: On Virginia 650, two miles south of Virginia 16; 29 sites, warm showers, flush toilets, April-September, $5 fee.
RACCOON BRANCH: On Virginia 16 south of Sugar Grove, 20 sites, no showers, flush toilets, open all year, $5.
RAVEN CLIFF: On Virginia 619 east of Cripple Creek; 20 sites, no showers, hand pump water, chemical flush toilets, $2, new this season.
\ HORSE CAMPING
\ FOX CREEK TRAILHEAD: On 603 west of Troutdale; vault toilets, dumpsters, stream water, no drinking water, corral, access to Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, free.
GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK: On U.S. 58 between Independence and Damascus; horse stalls, $4.50.
HUSSY MOUNTAIN: On Forest Service 14, reached off U.S. 21 south of Speedwell; hitching rails, dumpster, tent sites, stream water, hand pump water, vault toilets, free.
RAVEN CLIFF: Virginia 619 east of Cripple Creek; hitching rails, tent sites, stream water, hand pump water, chemical flush toilets, free.
\ PICNICKING
\ BEARTREE: 40 units, one large pavilion, horseshoe pits, volleyball, (see Family Camping above for location).
COMERS ROCK: four units, one shelter (see Family Camping above for location).
FOX CREEK: 10 units (see Horse Camping above for location).
GRAYSON HIGHLANDS STATE PARK: Individual units and shelter for groups (see Family Camping above for location).
RAVEN CLIFFS: 15 units (see Horse Camping above for location).
SHEPHERD'S CORNER: On Virginia 94, six miles south of Ivanhoe; 16 units.
SKULL GAP: On Virginia 600, 2 1/2 miles north of Konnarock; 7 units.
\ TRAILS
\ APPALACHIAN: 60 miles, from west side of Damascus to west of Wytheville.
IRON MOUNTAIN: 40 miles, can be picked up near Mount Rogers Headquarters along Virginia 16 and taken west to Damascus.
VIRGINIA CREEPER: 18 miles along abandoned railroad from Abingdon to Damascus.
VIRGINIA HIGHLANDS HORSE TRAIL: 67 miles from Elk Garden Gap on Virginia 600 east to Virginia 94 near the New River.
\ POPULAR HIKES
\ MOUNT ROGERS SUMMIT: From Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park, take Rhododendron Gap Trail to Appalachian Trail, go left on AT, then follow Mount Rogers Spur to summit. Distance: Four miles one way.
RHODODENDRON GAP: From Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park, take Rhododendron Gap Trail to the Appalachian Trail, left on the AT to Rhododendron Gap. Distance: 2 1/2 miles.
DEEP GAP: From Grindstone Campground 603 trailhead parking lot, follow Mount Rogers Trail to Deep Gap. Distance: 4.5 miles.
HIGH COUNTRY LOOP: From Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park, follow Rhododendron Gap Trail to Appalachian Trail, go north (right) on the AT past the Scales to Pine Mountain Trail (No. 4595), follow Pine Mountain Trail back to Rhododendron Gap, then AT back to park. Distance: 10 miles.
\ WILDERNESS AREA
\ LEWIS FORK: 5,730 acres, includes Mount Rogers summit, portions of Appalachian Trail and Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, reached from Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park or from Elk Garden Gap on Virginia 600.
LITTLE DRY RUN: 3,400 acres, easy access off Virginia 21 south of Speedwell.
LITTLE WILSON CREEK: 3,855 acres, adjacent to Grayson Highlands State Park, alpine meadows, portion of Appalachian Trail.
\ OFF-ROAD VEHICLE TRAILS
\ PINE MOUNTAIN JEEP TRAIL: three-mile, four-wheel-drive road starts at Fairwood on Virginia 603 west of Troutdale and goes to the Scales on Pine Mountain.
MOTORCYCLE TRAILS: Nearly 100 miles open to licensed motorcycles, about half of it seasonal. Contact Mount Rogers headquarters for details.
\ SCENIC BYWAY
\ MOUNT ROGERS SCENIC BYWAY: Two sections totaling 55.5 miles of state and federal highways designated the National Forest Scenic Byway. From Troutdale, take Virginia 603 west to U.S. 58, 23 miles. From Damascus, take U.S. 58 east to Volney, 32 miles.
by CNB