we have another long section hike in the works, Iron Mtn Gap NC -> Ceres/42 VA. i’ve heard there are some rough stretches around Roan Mountain, but where in this section would be best for a 20 mile day? or two? and are there any good swimming holes in this section?
many thanks,
of
orangefur
You’ve got some work to do right off the bat (with the Roans and Humps), but if you get views, that’s reward in itself. The stretch after the Elk park US 19E intersection to moreland gap shelter was much more difficult than the maps made it appear (though I’ve heard it’s been reloed for the better). Of course there’s good swimming just beyond Kincora/ Laurel Creek Lodge at Laurel Falls. There are some flat sections around watuga lake, and I did the 18.3 miles from Double SPrings Shelter to Damascus (mostly downhill) in about 6 hours. The Grayson Highlands are absolutely beautiful (more like Scotland than the US). You get a few nice VA farmland views before Ceres too, if I remember correctly.
Here was my itenerary:
4/13 Ash Gap Campsite
4/14 Apple House Shelter 15.7
4/15 Moreland gap Shelter 14.3
4/16 Dennis Cove (Laurel Creek Lodge) 5.8
4/17 Watuga Lake Shelter 10.6
4/18 Double Springs Shelter 21.7
4/19-22 Damascus, VA 18.3
4/23 Lost Mountain Shelter 15.8
4/24 Wise Shelter, Grayson Highlands 17.4
4/25 Trimpi Shelter 20.0
4/26 Chattfield Shelter 17.6
4/27 Knot Maul Branch Shelter 18.8 (2 miles past Ceres)
You can read my journal at http://www.newsushi.net for more info. Or there are lots of people’s journals here at Trailjournals as well…
Have fun -Howie
Hungry Howie