The area is one the most popular recreational hubs in the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.. Whitetop Mountain is accessible 2 different ways. Perched at 5,095 feet, the stack of rocks offers views of the ridgelines of Iron Mountain, the forest-shrouded summit of Mount Rogers, and weather-permitting, even 5,837 foot Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina. This is an easy adventure that you and your friends will talk about for a long time. A very forested hike. The trail is a moderate steady climb through woods and high meadows. Over 30 miles long and beautiful, this trail weaves through forest, farms, and fields. Making it to the rocky outcrop is not difficult and gives all around views you can see for miles. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a downhill biking destination appropriate for almost any age. The Whitetop Mountain Band playing to packed out marquee in Newquay 2012. Virginia Creeper National Recreational Trail, Appalachian Trail: Elk Garden to Buzzard Rock, Appalachian Trail: Whitetop to Fairwood Road, Helton Trail and Elk Garden Trail Loop via Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail: Massie Gap to Damascus, Appalachian Trail: Buzzard Rock via Beech Mountain Road, Appalachian Trail: US-58 Summit Cut to Mt. Tips for the Whitetop, VA area Go to the Visitor Center, hike all the trails, take pictures of the wild ponies, immerse yourself in some of Virginia's finest countryside. The trail is smooth, mostly crushed gravel the entire way, and features numerous fantastic mountain views, small waterfalls, and trestle crossings. I mistakenly kept going thinking that I wasnt at the summit yet, and just ended up doubling back and doing the whole trail again. It’s a wonderful hike, but lacking one of those sweeping panorama views at the end. My goal was to make it to Buzzard Rock, which is often listed as a separate mountain, being one of Virginia’s 5 peaks over 5000 feet. But the only way to reach Mt. Rogers, Iron Mountain to Old Bear Tree Campground Loop, Mount Rogers and Appalachian Trail Loop via First Peak and Stone Mountain, Haw Orchard Mountain and Twin Pinnacles Loop, Appalachian Trail: Whitetop Mountain to Green Cove Creek. Mileage: 61 miles (99 km) Duration The duration is an estimate of a one-way drive and does not include any stops or side-trips. The area is located in the Appalachian Mountains of Southwestern Virginia about 2.4 miles southeast of Konnarock, Virginia between Va 603 on the north, and US 58 on the south and east, and Va 605. However, the road is full of ruts and large rocks. After trudging through the forest again, I made it to whitetop. If you're looking for some serious TECHNICAL mountain biking...this ain't it! Rogers is via hiking along the Appalachian Trail, and once at the top the only view is towering evergreens. Able to see Buzzard Rock from the summit though. Sunset on Whitetop Mountain, Virginia May 22, 2015 • Leave a Comment. There are three creek crossings along the way. After the same forest rain wet rutine, I made it to Elk Garden. I was doing a 20 miler this day from Grayson Highlands to Scales, Mt. 1 hour, 10 minutes: Seasons The seasons listed are the best seasons for this scenic drive. Rogers, and Whitetop. Whitetop Mountain: Side Trip - See 29 traveler reviews, 25 candid photos, and great deals for Mouth of Wilson, VA, at Tripadvisor. White Mountain Trail. The climb is a good one for children because it’s never very steep. There was a lot of snow on the gravel road. Really wanted to hike on to Buzzard Rock, but time of day would not permit me. Visitors can ride directly from the campground either 17 miles to Damascus, or the full length of the 34 mile trail, and then take a shuttle back to the campground. if you start at 600 then the actual peak of Whitetop is only 2.5 miles into the 9 mile trail. It is typically at least four feet wide. The total trail distance one-way from Whitetop through Damascus to Abingdon is 34+ miles - as stated, the WhiteTop to Damascus leg is about half...17mi. Views were nice, and rested before my last 3 mile section. Creeper Trail Whitetop Va Mountain escape cabin Relax and recharge your batteries in Grayson County with a stay at Bluff Mountain cabin in the spectacularly beautiful mountains of … The highest navigable road in Virginia leads to its summit. Spring is late at this elevation. We hiked the 2.5 mile trail up to the top of the mountain on the AT. Nice view from Buzzard Rock. Still mountain wild flowers are in full bloom and line both sides of the trail and dot the landscape wherever I looked. 4 reviews of Virginia Creeper Trail Campground "The Virginia Creeper Campground is really a hidden gem, for MOST people, but not for all. The estimated average grade is 4% and there are steep sections where the grade is between 10% and 15% (at about 5.4 miles, 7.5 miles, 14.3 miles, and 28.2 miles). The trail up Whitetop Mountain to Buzzards Rock is the AT-South and begins on same side of the road as the parking lot. Return to US 58 via Rt. The Virginia Creeper Trail is a mild downhill from Whitetop to Damascus of well-maintained flat trail crossing over 30 trail tressels. Whitetop Station is often the place where bikers get dropped off by shuttle before they begin an exciting bike ride down the Virginia Creeper Trail. There is trail information, maps, brochures, and a small gift shop. Appalachian Trail: Whitetop Mountain to Green Cove Creek is a 9.1 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Whitetop, Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Crowning a quintessential Appalachian bald, the panoramic crag on Whitetop Mountain dubbed Buzzard Rock is the fourth highest point in the entire state. It is used for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. A truly underrated and not at all crowed gem! The Trail is a loop tour that winds through sections of the 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest and past many of the region's most popular attractions. Rogers, I started on this portion west. In the short portion my wife and I hiked it went through some light underbrush, a fun rocky (although in no way steep) forested area into a prairie to a rocky outcrop. We didn't see one person on the hike up or down, until we were back at the parking lot at the bottom. This is a 17 mile downhill ride. From Buzzard Rock you can see Mt. There's a good spot for camping on the right just before the second creek crossing. Rogers and nearby Whitetop Mountain. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Anyway, we still enjoyed hanging out at the bottom of the road. Whitetop Mountain is the southern endpoint of the Virginia Creeper Trail, a 34.3-mile former railroad right-of-way that runs from Whitetop, through Damascus, and on to Abingdon. The Virginia Creeper Trail is rich in beauty and regional history. Great views from here, with all the clouds in the valley. Wheelchair/mobility equipment or stroller users may need assistance in the steep sections. Whitetop Mountain is the third highest peak in the state of Virginia. The only thing is it can be hard to find so sp at first parking lot directly before iron gates. The 6 miles of Whitetop Laurel Creek below Konnarock beginning at Creek Junction — the confluence of Whitetop with Green Cove Creek — are designated artificials only, and all trout smaller than 12 inches must be released. A hiking trail starts at Elk Garden on Virginia 600. This is one of the most breathtaking views I have ever seen! After summiting Mt. Enjoy it on a clear day, but expect some cooler temperatures at this high elevation. Hope to hit that outcrop next summer. The Appalachian Trail and Virginia Creeper Trail follow Whitetop Laurel Creek through a gorge with rich cove hardwood forests and thick rhododendrons. However, because of a forest service road leading to a weather station on the summit, it’s the highest point in Virginia you can drive. Also worth it to drive to the top five bonus views. Rogers, just a simple jaunt. Trent attempted to drive our Honda Element (2WD) but, of course, we couldn’t make it. From Abingdon, Virginia, it goes down thru the lovely town of Damascus, VA (known as the Heart of the VA Creeper) along the Whitetop Laurel River and up to its highest point Whitetop Station near the NC State Line at Whitetop, Virginia. The AT was literally a stream of water from all the rain, and my shoes were trashed with water. Outdoors and Sports Whitetop Mountain W hitetop Mountain is the second-highest mountain in Virginia. I highly recommend this hike. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and birding and is best used from March until October. But, a nice hike and overcoming adversity. The last narrow-gauge train chugged along the Virginia Creeper Trail in March 1977, and Norfolk and Western Railroad soon after sold the rails as scrap. It towers above the slopes that plummet down toward Damascus, and is connected by a wide ridgeline to another of Virginia's few 5,000 foot peaks, Buzzard Rock.This peak is also home to the highest auto road in the state, a well groomed gravel track that leads from SR 600 to very near the absolute summit. First off, if you've hiked any of the Appalachian Trail in the Highlands area, you should be familiar with Whitetop. The trail is a steady climb the entire way, gaining 1600 feet in elevation. It is a wooded trail that gently but continuously ascends the mountain. The gravel road to the top is passable with passenger cars on dry days. This is an easy adventure that you and your friends will talk about for a long time. Explore the most popular trails near Whitetop with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Good trail, lots of flora and some turkeys. We will shuttle you to the top of the mountain (Whitetop) for an easy ride, coasting 17 miles downhill to Damascus. You can ride an additional 17 miles up to Abingdon with an elevation of 2087 feet. Much of Whitetop’s ridge-line is a Southern Appalachian Bald with wonderful views into Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The White Mountains Trail, designated a National Scenic Byway, encompasses all these aspects over the course of its 100-mile route. Creek Junction, an access to both the Virginia Creeper Trail and the Appalachian Trail, is reached by the dead-end Creek Junction Road, just east of Damascus, Virginia. Even in August, when the huckleberries bloom along the Appalachian Trail, it seems like Christmas at Whitetop Mountain.Near the tri-state corner of Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina, this mile-high peak in southwest Virginia rises in three counties – … When first researching areas to camp to ride the Creeper Trail I settled on this one because I knew it would be nice and cool in the middle of the Summer. The Virginia Creeper Trail, named for the steam engine that chugged along on it and for the Virginia Creeper vine in the area, offers a gentle ride grade with spectacular scenery and easy access to riders both young and old. The trail is on either side of the road before you cross under power lines. It was beautiful. Mount Pemigewasset Trail climbs to the summit of Mount Pemigewasset, a 2,500-foot peak at the southern end of Franconia Notch and the location of the famed Indian Head profile. Appalachian Trail: Whitetop Mountain to Green Cove Creek is a 9.1 mile moderately trafficked point-to-point trail located near Whitetop, Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. This 17-mile section of the trail runs from Damascus, VA to Whitetop Station. Start at the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail then take a right onto Helton. Whitetop Mountain: Beautiful mountain, but.. - See 30 traveler reviews, 25 candid photos, and great deals for Mouth of Wilson, VA, at Tripadvisor. Before crossing Whitetop … The Virginia Creeper Trail is rich in beauty and regional history. A very scenic view from the road and the trail itself. At 5,518′ Whitetop Mountain is about two hundred feet shorter than the highest point in Virginia. The trail is pretty narrow with lots of rocks and slight, moderate inclines--nothing too strenuous. Hiking info, trail maps, and 12 trip reports from Whitetop Mountain (5,525 ft) in the Appalachians of Virginia At 5,518’ above sea level, Whitetop Mountain is the second-highest point in Virginia. it was very cloudy at the top at 11 AM but had cleared up by 2 PM when I came back and the views were fantastic. We got to Whitetop Mountain Road at 11.30 am. Accessibility: The trail surface is partially paved and partially gravel. There are some bigger rocks in the road you have to navigate around, but it is very doable. This section of the Appalachian Trail gives you some of the best views of the highest peaks in Virginia. Virginia Creeper National Recreational Trail, Appalachian Trail: Whitetop Mountain to Green Cove Creek. From there, our pickup was waiting, and we drove on up to that summit. Coming down the AT from Mt. The hike difficulty was moderate for novice hikers like us. There is also an outdoor restroom and phone for visitor use. There were bear warnings for this part of the AT, but thankfully, we didn't see any. Whitetop Mountain is the 2nd highest peak in VA. You have to drive up a 2-lane gravel road, but it is mostly smooth until you get close to the top. Whitetop Station is a great starting point for an exciting bike ride down the Virginia Creeper Trail. It was so pretty. The elevation at Whitetop Station is 3500 feet, dropping down to about 1900 feet in Damascus. In June 2016, we stayed in our Motorhome at Grayson Highlands State Park in Mouth Of Wilson, VA. We … Highly recommend. #2 - Appalachian Trail: Whitetop Mountain to Green Cove Creek. From Abingdon, Virginia, it goes down thru the lovely town of Damascus, VA (known as the Heart of the VA Creeper) along the Whitetop Laurel River and up to its highest point Whitetop Station near the NC State Line at Whitetop, Virginia. Great views from here, whitetop mountain trails all the clouds in the road before you cross under lines! 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