Dan,
Thanks for posting this...a lot of great pics from what looks like an awesome dayhike. What is the roundtrip distance on this by the way? And that is so southern appalachianesque...an obstructed summit view...although the views getting there sure looked awesome.
Thanks so much. I believe the round-trip amounted to about 8 miles if I remember correctly. I must admit it is kinda strange to be out in the open for 95% of the hike only to be closed in at the summit!
are not really any more impressive places in the southeast than the highlands around Mount Rogers. The first time you encounter it you can barely believe it's real.
I completely agree. I believe it must have to do with the fact that it is relatively undiscovered compared to nearby places like Grandfather and the Roan Highlands. What most impresses me is how EXTENSIVE the open ridges are! I don't know the exact figures but it must be the largest area of open alpine terrain south of the White Mountains.
Hunters here in the Southeast know it as the only place in this part of the country where you can visually track deer from more than a mile away. Yep, that's one big hunk of open country.
Of course it's only that way because of rapacious timber operations followed by drought followed by intense fires followed by floods that swept the soil off the ridges.
maddie77777 - Feb 5, 2010 7:35 pm - Voted 10/10
Nice picsI was there a month after you. The colors weren't as bright as you had, but the views were spectacular nonetheless. Can't wait to go back there!
dwhike - Feb 6, 2010 11:17 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice picsThanks, it's certainly one of the places I miss most in the south!
MarkDidier - Feb 6, 2010 11:24 am - Voted 10/10
Nice TRDan,
Thanks for posting this...a lot of great pics from what looks like an awesome dayhike. What is the roundtrip distance on this by the way? And that is so southern appalachianesque...an obstructed summit view...although the views getting there sure looked awesome.
Happy Trails,
Mark
dwhike - Feb 6, 2010 11:16 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: Nice TRThanks so much. I believe the round-trip amounted to about 8 miles if I remember correctly. I must admit it is kinda strange to be out in the open for 95% of the hike only to be closed in at the summit!
BobSmith - Feb 6, 2010 9:17 pm - Voted 10/10
There...are not really any more impressive places in the southeast than the highlands around Mount Rogers. The first time you encounter it you can barely believe it's real.
dwhike - Feb 6, 2010 11:14 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: There...I completely agree. I believe it must have to do with the fact that it is relatively undiscovered compared to nearby places like Grandfather and the Roan Highlands. What most impresses me is how EXTENSIVE the open ridges are! I don't know the exact figures but it must be the largest area of open alpine terrain south of the White Mountains.
BobSmith - Feb 7, 2010 1:14 am - Voted 10/10
Re: There...Hunters here in the Southeast know it as the only place in this part of the country where you can visually track deer from more than a mile away. Yep, that's one big hunk of open country.
Of course it's only that way because of rapacious timber operations followed by drought followed by intense fires followed by floods that swept the soil off the ridges.
johnmnichols - Feb 9, 2010 8:18 am - Voted 10/10
GreatI love the scrolling panoramics. Really helps convey the sense of openness.
dwhike - Feb 10, 2010 12:55 pm - Hasn't voted
Re: GreatThanks, considering the high winds I was pleased so many of them turned out!