AT Hike - Dickey Gap to VA 601 - 10 mile

Two of us did this moderate hike over the course of the day. We took our time as we meandered through the thick forest. Not many expansive views on the hike. The cross in the photo was an informational sign the said " View of Rye Valley". 

The views within the forest were quite nice, as there very little underbrush due to the thick canopy. We came across a lone deer. A young buck. He was not frightened by us as we walked within 20 feet of him. He stared at us and we stared at him. That was a first for me. Too bad my camera was buried in my backpack. 

There were white mountain laurel blooming as well as white rhododendren.

A good day!

This hike will be a one-way hike that will require an auto shuttle. We will be leaving cars at VA 601 (the end of the hike) and driving to Dickey Gap where the hike will begin. There is parking at Dickey Gap where VA 16 and Va 650 come together.

The hike will begin at an elevation of about 3200 feet and go up to the top of High Point at 4040 feet of elevation. About one mile into the hike wil be Racoon Branch Shelter and a place to rest. A horse trail also shares the shelter. From High Point there are good views of the Mt. Rogers high country. From High Point will shall begin a long decent to about 2300 feet (over a 4.5 mile stretch) and the South Fork Holston River. On the way down we will pass the Trimpi Shelter, another place to rest.

From the Holston River we will begin an ascent to Bushy Mountain and 3260 feet of elevation. About 1.4 miles past the crest of Bushy Mountain we will come to VA 601 and the end of our hike.

Please bring plenty of water for the hike. Plan on spending 6.5 hours on the trail (not incuding driving).