Aire de loisirs nationale du Mont Rogers

Altitude : 5729 ft.

Depuis Massie Gap, dans le parc d'État de Grayson Highlands, suivez le Rhododendron Trail (0.8 miles), jusqu'à sa jonction avec l'Appalachian National Scenic Trail et le Mount Rogers Spur Trail, où vous suivrez Wilburn Ridge sur environ 3.0 miles jusqu'à ce que vous atteigniez les forêts d'épicéas caractéristiques du plus haut sommet de Virginie. (Remarque : de l'intersection du Rhododendron Trail et de l'Appalachian Trail jusqu'au sommet du Mt. Rogers, qui est un sentier modéré à difficile, la randonnée représente un autre 4.5-5.0 miles).

The blackberry tangles on the edge of this forest are filled with chestnut-sided warblers and eastern towhees. Once you step into the cool mossy spruce woods you enter an entirely different world. The forest here appears ancient with every limb dripping with mosses and lichens. These same mosses carpet the trail and cushion each step as you slowly climb to the summit of Mt. Rogers. The birds here are very different from the first few miles of the climb. The always-present Appalachian subspecies of dark-eyed junco is still here, but the other skulkers in the undergrowth have changed. Winter wren, veery and hermit thrush can be heard twittering from the forest floor, but it takes a patient observer to get decent views of them. The familiar chickadees calling in the trees sound a little hoarser, a little raspier and when they are finally seen, the brownish cast down their side alerts you that these are different. The chickadees on Mt. Rogers are the black-capped from farther north, not the Carolina, which are found at lower elevations throughout the state. Many of Mt. Rogers’ other birds are from parts farther north as well. Golden-crowned kinglet, red-breasted nuthatch and red crossbill can all be found regularly at these high elevations, as can magnolia warbler, and hairy woodpecker. Mt. Rogers is also home to one of the highest diversities of salamanders in the world. Aside from the multitude of wildlife, Mt. Rogers’ beauty lies in all its moss. A careful observer will find an incredible diversity of tiny plants, mushrooms, and insects on almost any trunk or fallen branch. Look for the intricately patterned wood sorrel and a variety of gallerina mushrooms intermingled within these acres of deep green moss. The peak is marked by a small brass plate embedded in the rock. Those hoping for a view from the top of Virginia’s highest peak may be disappointed since, at the summit, one can only see forest in every direction. Fortunately, the amazing views seen from along Wilburn Ridge on the hike up and down more than compensate.

Notes :

• Les installations listées se trouvent à Massie Gap, dans le Grayson Highlands State Park uniquement.
• Pour les visiteurs à la recherche d'une randonnée plus facile dans la région du Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area, le Pat Jennings Visitor Center dispose de plusieurs sentiers derrière le parking, dont un tronçon de l'Appalachian Trail.