I wanted to share with the group a couple of weekend trips that I have planned in early September:
Trip 1: Labor Day weekend: Friday August 30 - Monday September 2: Southwest Virgina camping aTt Scales Campground near Mount Rogers and Grayson Highlands
There is a primitive forest service camping area near Mount Rogers and the Grayson Highlands called "Scales Campground." There is about 4 miles of forest road to get there that requires high clearance, but you won't really challenge more capable vehicles. It's at about 4.700 feet elevation so you get can some wind and cooler temperatures up there. There is also some amazing hiking in the area as the Appalachian Trail and a number of other hiking trails run through Scales. There are a couple of pit toilets, but otherwise it's just a big empty field that's fenced in to keep out free range cattle and ponies. Because of the long weekend, I would personally do a day of hiking because Grayson Highlands is one of my favorite places to hike here in the southeast, but I also tinkered with a little FS road route that overlaps at least a few miles with the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Rute and jumps on a highway before getting back on gravel/dirt to drive up to Whitetop Mountain (Google Maps route) with what is supposed to be a great view of Mount Rogers. It looks like there are several other FS roads in that area to explore for people who want to search for more challenging terrain.
Trip 2: Friday September 6 - Sunday September 8: SCAR and Georgia Traverse Loop
This trip uses portions of both the South Carolina Adventure Route (SCAR) and the Georgia Traverse Route. I think there are definitely more difficult trails than what I have mapped, but I have some newbs joining me in Jeeps and full-size truck, and the truck probably can't squeeze down something like Walking Stick Road (YT video of a guy riding WSR on a motorcycle, YT video of a Gladiatr on WSR).
Friday evening, September 6: Arrive at Winding Stairs Camping Area or other preferred accomodations <https://maps.app.goo.gl/MaaatHdQJTw98bRS7>
Saturday, September 7: South Carolina Adventure Route (SCAR) and Georgia Traverse Loop to water falls
Saturday morning, Leg 1: <https://maps.app.goo.gl/8hXbgraCZWvv8et19>
• Drive to King Creek Falls (42 minutes) XV8Q+FF Mountain Rest, South Carolina
• Drive to Holcomb Creek Falls (54 minutes) 1.8 mile roundtrip hike to falls and back [ XPHM+CG Clayton, Georgia
• Drive to Osage Overlook (20 minutes) (2PH9+H5 Highlands, North Carolina) and Blue Valley Overlook (2PH9+H5 Highlands, North Carolina)
• Drive to Highlands, NC (10 minutes)
• Lunch and refreshments In Highlands, NC (Highlands Dive: The High Dive, 476 Carolina Way, Highlands, NC 28741)
Saturday afternoon, Leg 2: <https://maps.app.goo.gl/wbfhnmd4LLv3NGVWA>
• Drive to Secret Falls Trail Head (16 minutes) 1.3 mile round hike to falls and back
• Drive to Scotsman Falls (30 minutes)
• Drive to Upper Whitewater Falls (20 + 10 minutes), Lower Whitewater Falls, Lake Jocassee Overlook
Do your own thing or back to night 2 camp for dinner and drinks
Sunday, September 8:
• Breakfast at Camp
• Hike, explore forest roads, and/or depart for home
Let me know if anyone is interested in joining for one or both of these trips. As you can see, I like to mix in some time on foot, but you're also welcome to share a basecamp and do your own thing.
Edit: I am planning to do Logan's Run later in September and don't want to burn myself out traveling, so I am postponing the Grayson Highlands/Scales camping trip until maybe some time in October. I am still planning to do the SCAR and Georgia Traverse waterfall tour loop from September 6-8!
Trip 2: Friday September 6 - Sunday September 8: SCAR and Georgia Traverse Loop
This trip uses portions of both the South Carolina Adventure Route (SCAR) and the Georgia Traverse Route. I think there are definitely more difficult trails than what I have mapped, but I have some newbs joining me in Jeeps and full-size truck, and the truck probably can't squeeze down something like Walking Stick Road (YT video of a guy riding WSR on a motorcycle, YT video of a Gladiatr on WSR).
Friday evening, September 6: Arrive at Winding Stairs Camping Area or other preferred accomodations <https://maps.app.goo.gl/MaaatHdQJTw98bRS7>
Saturday, September 7: South Carolina Adventure Route (SCAR) and Georgia Traverse Loop to water falls
Saturday morning, Leg 1: <https://maps.app.goo.gl/8hXbgraCZWvv8et19>
• Drive to King Creek Falls (42 minutes) XV8Q+FF Mountain Rest, South Carolina
• Drive to Holcomb Creek Falls (54 minutes) 1.8 mile roundtrip hike to falls and back [ XPHM+CG Clayton, Georgia
• Drive to Osage Overlook (20 minutes) (2PH9+H5 Highlands, North Carolina) and Blue Valley Overlook (2PH9+H5 Highlands, North Carolina)
• Drive to Highlands, NC (10 minutes)
• Lunch and refreshments In Highlands, NC (Highlands Dive: The High Dive, 476 Carolina Way, Highlands, NC 28741)
Saturday afternoon, Leg 2: <https://maps.app.goo.gl/wbfhnmd4LLv3NGVWA>
• Drive to Secret Falls Trail Head (16 minutes) 1.3 mile round hike to falls and back
• Drive to Scotsman Falls (30 minutes)
• Drive to Upper Whitewater Falls (20 + 10 minutes), Lower Whitewater Falls, Lake Jocassee Overlook
Do your own thing or back to night 2 camp for dinner and drinks
Sunday, September 8:
• Breakfast at Camp
• Hike, explore forest roads, and/or depart for home
Let me know if anyone is interested in joining for one or both of these trips. As you can see, I like to mix in some time on foot, but you're also welcome to share a basecamp and do your own thing.
Edit: I am planning to do Logan's Run later in September and don't want to burn myself out traveling, so I am postponing the Grayson Highlands/Scales camping trip until maybe some time in October. I am still planning to do the SCAR and Georgia Traverse waterfall tour loop from September 6-8!
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