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GRAYSON HIGHLANDS DAY HIKE 1/12/19

Posted on | By Hikingman68 | No comments

This day hike started as just a cold winter hike but the addition of snow turned made it pretty great so I wanted to post a few pics about it.

We drove in to the incredible town of Damascus which well know for being one of the friendliest towns on the Appalachian Trail and a pretty cool place.  Not only do I go there every year or so to hike but it’s a great place to launch a ride on the Virginia Creeper Trail.

This particular trip was a just a leisurely day hike excursion.  We drove to Damascus and stayed at the Woodchuck Hostel.  I’ve stayed there a few times now and can only say good things about the place.  It’s very clean and the caretakers are always friendly.  I highly recommend this place to anyone looking to get off the trail for the night.

Excellent overall hike and stay at the Woodchuck Hostel.  While I’m at it I want to recommend stuffing your face on the Calif BLT at Mojos Trailside Café.   One of the nights we had a good time at the  also had a few beverages and listened to live music at 7 Trails Grill.  Good times!

  • Church in downtown Damascus, Virginia
  • This is a real nice campground that is somewhat secluded.  I haven’t camped here but intend to sometime in the future. 
There is a nice trail around the lake that was just perfect for a cold day.
Reflections in Beartree Lake
Reflections in Beartree Lake
Yeah, that’s Beartree lake behind me
Hoar Frost
Ground pines
Come on Rhodie, bloom!
Gorgeous day
Let the hike begin
I’ve got my Oboz Bridger Mid boots loaded with Superfeet Merino soles in for this hike, Brrrrrrrrr. I knew it would be a sloppy hike so i wore my "" “>Outdoor Research Rocky Mountain High Gaiters. They are pack cloth and aren’t stiff at all. the bottoms are a thicker coated waterproof material while the tops aren’t coated so they are breathable.
Where’s our turnoff
Here’s our turnoff
Perfect timing for our hike – about an hour into it the snow began and made it pretty great.
I had to take a pic when I saw this – located down my Cherokee Orchard shelter on the A.T.
Signage
Signage and more signage
I haven’t camped in the Cherokee Orchard area in a few years so they must have installed them within that time.
Having lunch in the shelter at Cherokee Orchard
As with a lot of shelters on the A.T. – they must be customized a little to stall the drafty winds… Brrrrr
This area is even more beautiful in the spring, summer and fall
One bad thing about some of these horse trails.  When it’s wet it’s WET AND SLOPPY! LOL
Just a matter of time…  This place got very popular over the last few years so it’s no surprise the bears heard about it and thought they’d take advantage. hahaha

Category: 2019, 2019 HIKES

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