Whitetop Mountain

At 5,520 ft high, Whitetop Mountain is Virginia's second highest mountain.  It is located at the juncture of Grayson, Smyth and Washington Counties.  The highest auto road in Virginia, FS89 (Mud Creek Lane) runs from VA SR 600 (Whitetop Road) to the summit of Whitetop.  The Appalachian Trail also crosses the summit of Whitetop Mountain.

On clear days, one can see three states.  From 1932-1939 Whitetop summit was the home of the Whitetop Folk Festival.

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View of Buzzards Rock from the summit of Whitetop Mountain.

View from the summit of Whitetop Mountain

FS 89 (Mudcreek Ln) climbs the mountain from VA SR 600

Old Park Road area from Whitetop Mountain

Whitetop Mountain is a bald, covered with grass and conifers more typical of northern highlands such as spruce and firs.

Hydaspe Fritillary butterfly

Smaller of two radio/microwave towers on Whitetop summit

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Elk Garden Trailhead

Our fourth day in Southwest Virginia took on a loop through the Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area (NRA).  Our first stop was a picnic lunch at Grindstone Recreation Area.  We found picnic tables near a wading pool, fed by a cool mountain stream.  Pam enjoyed cooling her feet in the pool.

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Cooling her feet in the wading pool @ Grindstone Recreation Area

After leaving Grindstone, we drove up to Elk Garden Trailhead.  At 4,450 ft, the open fields of Elk Garden lie in a gap between Virginia's two highest peaks: Whitetop at 5,518 ft and Mt. Rogers at 5,728 ft.  Two trails cross Whitetop Road (VA SR 600): the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail.

Split Rail Fence @ Elk Garden Trailhead

Appalachian Trail @ Elk Garden Trailhead

Appalachian Trail Blaze @ Elk Garden Trailhead

Virginia Highlands Horse Trail @ Elk Garden Trailhead

Fields of Elk Garden Trailhead

View from Elk Garden Trailhead

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