Skyline Drive and all trails are reopened. Here’s a final update provided by Sarah Robarge of WHSV TV3 covering the Warren Country wildfire:
The recent rain was good news for forestry officials fighting a wildfire in Shenandoah National Park, and after eight days, it’s 100-percent contained.
This was the biggest fire there in almost a century, burning nearly 1,800 acres.
Officials are using it to educate homeowners…
The full article contains some good information on Virginia’s Firewise program.
See Also: Shenandoah National Park Wildfire Photo
Video of Release
View more videos at: http://www.nbcwashington.com.
News Article
Tom Sherwood reports for NBC4 Washington:
The Canadian hawk had been trapped inside the ornate reading room of the library…
It spent the past two weeks at the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia in Falls Church, where birder Linda Moore helped care for it…
The Top of Virginia
Mount Rogers
The highest point in Virginia is the summit of Mt Rogers (5729 feet). While the summit is wooded, the views all along the way are well worth the trip in both Grayson Highlands State Park and Mount Rogers National Scenic Area.
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
Hiking Mount Rogers
From Massie Gap in Grayson Highlands, you can reach the Appalachian Trail by way of the VA Highlands Connector Trail and/or the Rhododendron Trail.
Turning left (south) along the Appalachian Trail (AT), you’ll find very nice views. After a little ways, the Wilburn Ridge Trail branches off and rejoins the AT a mile farther. I recommend taking the Appalachian Trail one way, and hiking the spectacular Wilburn Ridge Trail the other.
The AT bears left at the junction with the Pine Mountain Trail at Rhododendron Gap. Once you pass the Thomas Knob shelter, the Mount Rogers Spur Trail branches off to the right and is half a mile to the summit.
Wildlife
We did this day hike in late summer and saw white wood aster, bee balm, and buttercups. Of course, the wild ponies were the biggest treat.
Additional Pictures
I posted additional pictures from our trip on Picasaweb.
Driving Directions
- Take US58 east at exit 19 off I-81 (Abingdon, Virginia).
- Left on Route 362 into Grayson Highlands State Park.
- Park at Massie Gap
Recommended Map
This is the map
I used to plan the trip and would highly recommend it:
Monica Norton reports for the Washington Post:
Fairfax County government reports that there have been an “unusually high number of copperhead snakes” in the area…
Be careful on local trails!
As I mentioned earlier, I was excited to find showy orchis wildflowers in the yard this spring for the first time. I have since discovered even more showy orchis and took some additional pictures:
Showy Orchis
Showy Orchis
Showy Orchis
Where to See Showy Orchis
In addition to the showy orchis in the backyard, I also found a couple showy orchis flowers along the Appalachian Trail just south of the Mosby Camp (south of Linden between Rte 55 and 522). You have to look carefully… it may not be obvious from the photos, but showy orchis wildflowers are relatively small and close to the ground. In fact, some folks may not be that impressed. My brother remarked, “If that’s the showy orchis, then I’d hate to see the non-showy orchis!”
Here are a couple pictures from our yard of yellow lady’s slippers. Lady Slippers are one of my favorite flowers. We did not know they were there when we bought our property and were very pleased when we discovered them.
Yellow Ladys Slippers
Yellow Ladys Slippers
Ladys Slipper Closeup
Where To See Yellow Lady’s Slippers
The yellow lady’s slippers in our yard are now past peak, but early May is the time of year to see them. In the May 2010 Potomac Appalachian newsletter, Lee Scheaffer describes where you can find them along the Appalachian Trail near Linden, VA in the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area. The article starts on the first page and is entitled “It’s A Flower Thing.”