AT - 4-Day Backpack - Damascus VA - Mt Rogers Area

**Due to "shuttle issues" the hike started at Dickey Gap and was roughly 50 miles. The trip was shortened to three 16-17 mile days**

Trail Details:

 "...it’s hard to top Mount Rogers National Recreation Area. The AT passes near the tallest mountains in the state. Close to the summit of Mount Rogers, wild ponies graze in the high country meadows. There are steep climbs up Iron Mountain, past small waterfalls and tunnels of rhododendron..."

(https://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=HGD110-036)

 About the trip:

   This will be a 4-day, 55 mile backpack along the Appalachian trail just north of Damascus, VA. I started section hiking the AT many years ago, but have taken a break from it for over two years. I decided it was time for my next section. The daily hikes will be long, but taken at a moderate pace. I like to start hiking early each day, allowing time to stop and enjoy a few sites along the trail (time permitting). 

   Thursday: The carpool will depart Indian Trail at 6pm. The drive to Erwin Tennessee will take approximately 4 hours. We will camp for the night at Uncle Johnny's hostel in Erwin.

   Friday: (11.3 miles)We will depart Erwin at 8am and continue an extra hour and half to Damascus Virginia, where we will leave our cars parked. The workers at Mt Roger's outfitters will provide a shuttle up to the AT crossing at VA670. The hike will begin with a 1000 foot climb up to a hill aptly named"high point". We will then descend to Dickey Gap, hiking several more miles until we reach our stop for the night at Hurricaine Mt Shelter.

   Saturday: (16.1 miles) We will start about an hour after sunrise in order to complete our miles for the day while also stopping to enjoy some sites along the way. The day begins with two 1000 foot climbs. We will spend the night at Thomas Knob Shelter. If anyone has any energy left we could go up to view the sunset from the top of Mt Rogers (0.5 miles hike from the shelter). 

   Sunday: (16.4 miles) There will be two moderately long climbs on this day, but happily the rest of the day will be mostly downhill. We will finish the night at Pond Campsite.

   Monday: (10.8 miles) The last day will be a relatively short one, with one long climb, and most of the remaining miles downhill. We will try to be in Damascus by lunch in order to arrive back in Atlanta at a reasonable hour.

 This is an advanced backpack and requires prior experience backpacking with long distances! Everyone wishing to participate will be added to the waitlist pending vetting. If you do not have a history of D6 backpacks with the club, you will be contacted to confirm you experience.

The total per person cost will be calculated and collected the week of May 15-19. Payments will be due on May 19. The total cost will vary depending on the number of participants, and will be somewhere between $26 and $38 per person. Please note that this cost is in addition to the carpool cost to be paid to your driver.

• Camping at Uncle Johnny's, Erwin, TN - $10 per person

• Shuttle (Fee is $80 for up to 4 people, $5 for each additonal person)

   - $20 per person if 4 people, $11 per person for 10 people

• Parking in Damascus will be $20 per car

   - Per person parking fee will be somewhere between $5 and $8 for the trip depending on the number of cars and people.

Payment will be refundable if you must drop out due to an emergency. However, if you know will drop, please do so before the 19th of May, to prevent creating an accounting headache for the trip leader.