Virginia Highlands CANCELED - TRAIL IMPASSABLE

Type of Outing: Hike
When: SAT 5/17/2025 9:00 AM
Signup Deadline: 5/15/2025 5:00 pm
Leader: Nicole Mazgaj
Distance: 10 miles
Difficulty: R-31, Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft.
Description: The original plan for this hike was to do the MST section between Park Vista and Jeffress Park, which I had hoped would by now be officially reopened. But it is not. I am therefore offering the Grayson Highlands area as an alternative with similar distance and similar elevation gain. It is a beautiful hike, with long stretches of rhododendron and mountain laurel hedges alternating with open meadows and peaks looming in the distance, the scent of balsam, the silence of thick groves, and the challenge of gnarly roots. I have added a few points to the rating, kicking it up into the strenuous category, for the sometimes modest, sometimes less modest, terrain challenges, depending on the amount of precipitation the area has received in the preceding days, weeks or months: more than 80% of the route is very rocky and most of the time very muddy, with low areas of standing water and mini creek crossings. If you like to hike with poles, this is a hike where you will be glad you have them. PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE NO LATER THAN 6:00 PM ON THURSDAY MAY 15. I WILL PROMPTLY GET BACK TO YOU WITH MEETNG PLACE AND TIME OPTIONS.