Grayson Highlands State Park, VA

(Above is from a Google search)

After leaving Damascus, VA, LL from NC showed me Grayson Highlands State Park, not far away, still in VA.

I was pleasantly surprised by this visit.

(Google map capture)

We parked at the overnight backpackers parking area for a hike.  This is a wonderful spot to park a few days for lining this part of the Appalachian Trail.  In fact it is close enough to Damascus to leave a car at both ends to hike from one end to the other.

Note on the map above that the pin drop that says unnamed road is where the Appalachian Trail intersects the spur Trail.

As noted above we hiked the Appalachian Spur Trail up the mountain to where it intersects the Appalachian Trail.

The area is noted for having the look of the Scottish Highlands, and it does.

Here we meet up with the Appalachian Trail. 

We loop back down the mountain to the parking lot where we parked.  There were some nice spots along the trail to make overnight camp.

Since writing about the AT, I have had people tell me about friends and relatives that have through hiked the AT.  This State Park would be a great place to meet you support team that brings you new boots, food and a clean shirt and plan the next restocking point.

The scenery was so different here than in Damascus, and it is attributed to elevation.  Heading back to NC seemed like it was all down hill.

This ends my side adventure with LL from NC.  There was plenty to see and I didn’t capture everything on my 3 days 2 night tour.  Most of all, I got to see some of the North Carolina Appalachian Mou gains and the AT Trail in the Damascus area.  

You don’t have to be a through hiker to enjoy hikes where I have been.  It is worth the time to check out the area.

Brent

macaloney@hotmail.com