Mt. Rogers High Country: Cabin Ridge, Grayson Highlands, AT

Рет қаралды 1,551

Күн бұрын

A five day backpacking trip in the Mt. Rogers High Country, starting at the Elk Garden Trail Head and taking the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail (VHHT) to the Cabin Ridge Trail and camping on Cabin Ridge. Day two continues on the Cabin Ridge Trail to the VHHT to the Appalachian Trail to Big Wilson Creek Trail to the Kabel Trail and camping along Little Wilson Creek. My son comes in about 10:00 on the second night and camps at my intended site, which was occupied by another backpacker. On the morning of day three I hear my son yelling Dad, so I find him and we continue on the Kabel Trail and then bushwack up to the First Peak Trail then down to Scales and take the VHHT and camp along Big Wilson Creek. Day four continues on the VHHT to the AT to Rhododendron Gap and take the Crest Trail. My son left me on Wilburn Ridge to get water and did not find me camping between the Crest Trail and the AT, so he hiked five miles back to car and headed home a day early. On day five I take the AT back to Elk Garden.
Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy the video.
Backpacking With Bryan DeLay webpage: bryandelay.com
• Mt. Rogers High Countr...

Пікірлер: 77

@nagaviper1169 Жыл бұрын

Always happy to get a notification from one of my favorite backpackers. Thank you for taking us along.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Naga Viper! Glad you are enjoying my videos.

@nagaviper1169 Жыл бұрын

@@BryanDeLay Always

@TheJamesburgin Жыл бұрын

Great work !!! Beautiful scenery !!! Thank you for sharing !!!

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks James! Glad you enjoyed the video.

@mark-ib7sz Жыл бұрын

Another great video, thank very much.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Mark!

@andreabuzeta4297 Жыл бұрын

Great video. Virginia high country is beautiful

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Andrea! Yes it is.

@williamadair1260 Жыл бұрын

Great video

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks William!

@ricklarry4212 Жыл бұрын

I thought open vistas were rare in your neck of the woods due to the dense forests but this area proved contrary Bryan. Glad to see you had good weather. Nice to see your son accompany you. Beautiful areas and vantage points. Thanks for sharing.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

There are numerous balds in the southern Appalachians, but it is rare to find large balds covering such a big area. Another one is Shining Rock Wilderness in western North Carolina, but the forest is slowly overtaking some of the balds. The ponies at Mt. Rogers are there to graze and keep the forest from overtaking the balds. Glad you enjoyed the video.

@tughoward Жыл бұрын

Beautiful area, great video…always enjoy them!

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks tughoward! Glad you enjoy watching my videos.

@laurenmartin682 Жыл бұрын

Another great video, I love that area.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thank you Lauren!

@anthony_privett Жыл бұрын

Great video. This area is on my bucket list. I can’t wait to get the opportunity to go.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks kentucky_backpacker! Hope you get to visit Mt. Rogers soon.

@skipandcherieadventures116 Жыл бұрын

Lovely video and scenery! We enjoyed it. Nice surprise to have Nathan show up😊

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Skip and Cherie!

@JenniferLupine Жыл бұрын

Really great trip Bryan! The Mount Rogers high country looks lush and green! Cute to see the horses too! Nice that you could meet up with Nathan - good thing you each have your own gear and can travel independent. Super nice that it didn’t rain! Sounds like lots and lots of backpackers we’re out… must be a great place! 😄👌 🥾🥾👍👍 - Jen

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thank you Jennifer! Mt. Rogers is one of the top places to backpack in the south. The AT goes through downtown Damascus, VA and the second weekend in May the town host Trail Days, a festival built around the thru hikers. So my last night's campsite was very near the AT and most of the backpackers were thru hikers.

@nato2959 Жыл бұрын

Another Bryan masterpiece...

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks for you kind words Nato. They are very appreciated.

@mountainwanderer Жыл бұрын

What a beautiful area! Great video!

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Travis! This area is part of the 150,000 acre Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. Mt. Rogers is the highest point Virginia at 5,729 feet. The ponies are there to keep the forest from overtaking the many balds in the high country.

@DrJohn493 Жыл бұрын

Way behind Bryan, thanks for some great Appalachian scenery. Life on the lake (Martin) this summer is just too distracting.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

No problem John! Hope you are having a great summer at the lake.

@FOLLOWINGWALKERSWORLD Жыл бұрын

This video is really well done. Missed trail days this year. It was the weekend we moved. 👍

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom! You're a lot closer to Trail Day now.

@johnnyrussell8729 Жыл бұрын

Great video and boy you lucked out on the weather. Hope to make it there someday.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Johnny! Hope you make it soon.

@jmash41 Жыл бұрын

Love that place! One of my sons and I just finished a two night backpacking trip from there Sunday! Thanks for the video Bryan!

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

It is a great place to backpack and if you get off the AT it's not that crowded.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

J Mash, your reply shows up my notice, but does not show up in the thread, which has happened several times before. Nathan bought the lights from REI. Seems like his is 50' and they make one that is 100'. I try to get a link for the lights.

@blackoakpropertymaintenanc6981 Жыл бұрын

Another enjoyable video, Bryan.....I was up in W. Virginia near VA line same time as your trip. Definitely some nippy nights but what a stretch of beautiful weather. I read your other comment about going out west. I'm thinking this year I might do a September run instead of my usual August timing. Just thinking about how nice to miss the summer tourist season but of course the flip side is that early snow can show up anytime in Sept......regardless, I'm going to let my summer unfold and go when it's best for me. Maybe cross paths at a car camping spot in between backpack outings. Take care, and thanks again for posting. Tom

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tom! Keep me updated on your schedule. Maybe we can car camp somewhere.

@dannystephenshiking951 Жыл бұрын

Hi Bryan What an awesome video! I enjoyed it immensely. The Virginia high country is such a beautiful place especially seen through a backpackers point of view. If you get a chance tell Nathan Ole Hooter said hi . 🦉

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Danny! I'll let Nathan know.

@SeniorHiker77 Жыл бұрын

That was an enjoyable video. Sorry I missed you at trail days but maybe next year.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Senior Hiker 77! Hopefully we'll see each other next year.

@woodycarr Жыл бұрын

Another great video of one of my favorite areas in Virginia! Thanks for sharing your trip. I camped at the Cabin Creek spot just last summer. Great site. It's in a video on my channel!

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks woodycarr! Mt. Rogers High Country is a great place to backpack.

@markswisher1152 Жыл бұрын

Thanks

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed the video Mark!

@brianmiller2444 Жыл бұрын

Nice video. I think we will take the camper up there this summer and do some glamping....I'm ripping to get out hiking soon--my physical therapist says to take it slow for now....I am having dry needle therapy on my achilles tendonitis that seems to be working. Taking a while though...

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Brian! Hope this therapy works and you're out hiking soon.

@wendingourway Жыл бұрын

Absolutely lovely! Always appreciate a boardwalk...no matter for how long. Beautiful views in the sunshine...perfect! Enjoy the rest of your adventure! Bruce and Otis

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thank you very much Bruce and Otis!

@richardthorne2804 Жыл бұрын

Wow no rain

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

No rain for 5 days in May at Mt. Rogers is definitely a Wow.

@kenwbrenner 15 күн бұрын

Hi Bryan. Nicely done as usual. Gear Questions: 1. I need a wide brim hat like you wear. Any suggestions? 2. What hiking shoes/boots do you wear. I've seen you wade across streams many times and wondered if the shoes were "quick dry". Because of some foot issues, my podiatrist has me wearing Merrell Moab hiking shoes and/or boots. 3. Do any of the camping areas in this area have bear boxes? What do you think of bear canisters vs. having to hang a bag each night? As info, Lord willing, I'm taking my 25-year old grandson to the Grayson Highlands in early October for two days of hiking. I'm then planning to take him down to the Roan Highlands and hike across the balds. That will give him a look at my two favorite places on the AT thus far (I'm at milepoint 1085). Thanks - keep up the great work!

@BryanDeLay 10 күн бұрын

Sorry to be so long in getting back with you, I'm in Wyoming and yesterday finished a 5 day backpack. My hat is a cheap hat I bought at Costco a few.years ago. I wear Altra Olympus 5 shoes. They are zero drop with 33 mm of stack. Yes there are bear boxes at the shelters and a few campsites. I prefer to hang my food and dislike bear csnnisters.

@kenwbrenner 10 күн бұрын

@@BryanDeLay Thank you Bryan - no expectations on a reply. Just appreciate your fine videos and taking the time to repond when convenient. God Bless you in all your hikes.

@chrislonsberry1974 Жыл бұрын

Wonderful video Bryan!! Beautiful scenery and great trail footage. Thanks for bringing us along!

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Chris! Glad you enjoyed the video.

@larrycarroll7371 Жыл бұрын

Great video, Bryan. Cross country skied that area once. Really beautiful. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Larry! I've done a few very cold winter backpacks there.

@bolleolympus Жыл бұрын

😊😊👍👍👌👌❤❤

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thank you Bolle OLYMPUS!

@tangenttrails Жыл бұрын

I enjoyed watching, Bryan. Thanks for sharing. Did Nathan know the other person that was camping in your intended spot?

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thanks Tangent Trails! No Nathan did not know him. I texted Nathan a itinerary along with my planned campsites. When Nathan arrived he started talking thinking it was me and then realized it was not my shelter. So the guy got out of his tent and Nathan explained he was looking for me and he told Nathan I came by earlier and invited Nathan to camp there.

@derekwoodley4084 Жыл бұрын

Hiking Mount Rogers NRA for the first time soon and would love to know where the good backcountry campsites are that you've found over the years. Have you ever thought about making a map of them for other bikers?

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

First I'd recommend that you buy the Trails Illustrated map #318, Mt. Rogers High Country. Although I didn't mentioned it in this video, my loop was based on camping at some of my favorite campsites. Maybe you missed it, but each day in this video I show a map of my path and where I'm camping along with a map of the entire loop at the end.

@whshome Жыл бұрын

Great video Bryan of also one of my favorite places, top 5 in the SE for sure and maybe even # 1. Too bad about the Little Wilson Creek campsite, that is one of the best I've ever camped at. And a question, what's the backpack you're now using?

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Thank you Will! It's a Zpacks Arc Haul 60L. You mentioned a little while ago about getting one. While I was at Trail Days I talked with a Zpacks rep and checked the new Arc Haul Ultra 70L. The current model is made of Ultra 200 with pre-bent carbon fiber stays. The rep said their latest research is that Ultra 100 is more abrasion resistant because it has more threads per square inch and by August or early September all their packs will be made of Ultra 100. The current Arc Haul Ultra 70L weighs 21.9 OZ and the new model with Ultra 100 will weigh a little less. He suggested that I wait until the new model comes out to get one and I'm definitely planning on purchasing one next fall.

@whshome Жыл бұрын

@@BryanDeLay Thanks for the information, that confirms that for a new pack for me (to reduce weight) that's the one. But will wait until fall like you. One of the things I like about it that few of the light packs have is attachments for putting a sleeping pad/backpacking chair at the bottom of the pack, noticed you're doing that.

@truthbetold1377 2 ай бұрын

You are a lucky man. BTW- I saw you were wearing what I thought was a scree guard around your shoes. Is that correct? If so, where did you buy them?

@BryanDeLay 2 ай бұрын

Thanks! The gaiters are made by Dirty Girl Gaiters and are great at keeping dirt out of your shoes.

@vonniek347 Жыл бұрын

I’ve often wondered if the mosquitoes are lots more of a bother when using a tarp for your shelter?

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Mosquitoes are not too bad in the Appalachians because there's not that much flat water, it's mostly running creeks. Sleeping under a tarp is not too much different than sleeping in a three sided shelter along the AT. However, I do have a bug net that hangs inside the shelter if I think the mosquitoes will be bad, like when backpacking out west where there is a lot of flat water and mosquitoes can be really bad.

@vonniek347 Жыл бұрын

@@BryanDeLay I see. Thanks for the insight.

@farbeyonddriven8173 Жыл бұрын

Never been to Trial Days, but a few years ago I hired a shuttle from Damascus up to near Mt Rogers then hiked back to town over 2-3 days. Didn't actually top out on Rogers as I heard it was kinda blah. You going out west this year Bryan?

@BryanDeLay Жыл бұрын

Yea, there is not much to Mt. Rogers summit, a spruce fir forest with no views. Planning on leaving the end of July.

@soniadowney7427 Жыл бұрын

I liked everything about your video but unfortunately I'm unable to subscribe to nature videos that drown out the sounds and of course your taste in music differs from mine ..I feel sad about it. You are so likeable.

@BryanDeLay 11 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed most of my video. Fortunately I'm in a position and place if life I can create videos that I enjoy and I've never asked people to like my videos or subscribe to my channel. Hope you find a channel with videos you enjoy.