Grayson Highland Park 07/03/2009

We arrived at Grayson Highlands at 9:40.  It is $3.00 to park on weekends/holidays.  We drove all the way back up to the visitor's center and started getting our stuff together.  The visitor's center doesn't open up until 10:00 for anyone who thinks they can use the restroom before then.  Daisy got her pack strapped on we started hiking right around 10:00.  We started out on the Twin Pinnacles Trail and went out to Little Pinnacle first and then made our way to Big Pinnacle.  We then made our way down the mountain and crossed the road into Massie Gap.  We took the Rhodo Trail up to where it merges with the AT and jumped on to the AT Northbound.  We stayed on the AT until it intersected Wilson's Creek Tr and we then headed back into Grayson Highlands State Park.  Wilson's Creek Tr is also partially available as a horse trail, so be ready for road apples.  We crossed the road at the Country Store, beside the campsites and got onto Stumper's Branch Tr.  This was a fairly strenuous climb back up to the Visitor's Center, but a great last surge to end an awesome day of hiking.  This was Daisy's first hike with her new pack and she did amazingly well.  I had to carry it for her a couple times but overall she held her own, which is impressive for a 5 month old boxer pup.  She has the makings of a great trail companion.  Judson took the lead most of the way, with Daisy in the middle and I brought up the rear.  We were both amazed at how awesome that stretch of the Appalachian Trail is.  We highly recommend this to others and plan on returning whenever possible.  We did not see any ponies this trip, but I'm not sure Daisy was ready for that much excitement this trip.

TO TRAILHEAD: Follow Grayson Highlands State Park Rd all the way to the end and you will reach the parking lot at the Visitor's Center.