Mt Rogers Massey Gap to Thomas Knob Shelter overnight.

Starting at Massey Gap in Grayson Highlands State Park you will hike on the Rhododendron Trail to where it crosses the Appalachian Trail. Follow the AT up and over the fist ridge and turn left onto the Rhododendron Trail. Continue around the base of Wilburn Ridge to the Crest Trail junction. Turn right on the Crest Trail to Rhododendron Gap where you will meet the AT again. Turn left on the AT towards the Thomas Knob Shelter. Before you get to the shelter you will see plenty of camping areas on your left. The area I like best is just before the shelter after you cross the ridge between it and Rhododendron Gap. There are several camp sites and the sun setting over Mt Rogers is awesome. Depending on when you get camp set up you can do a 2.6 mile hike up to the top of Mt Rogers. The veiw is very limited due to the trees. There is a spring just below the shelter that is fenced off from the wild ponies that live in the park. One of the great things to see here is the wild ponies with their young in the spring. The next day you retrace your steps to Rhododendron Gap but at the intersection with the Crest Trail you take the AT back towards Wilburn Ridge. After a short hike take the Wilburn Ridge Trail to one of the best views in the area. From the top of Wilburn Ridge i have been told you can see into five states Va, Ky, WV, Tn, NC. Plus you get a great view of Mt Rogers. From here you continue on to the intersection of the AT and Rhododendron Gap Trail and can follow either one back to Massey Gap. There are several other ways to travel these trails also which makes this area such a great place to go. In June is also a great time to go and see all of the Rhododendron in bloom at the gap.