Highest peak
Mount Rogers
5,729 ft / 1,746 m
Most prominent peak
Apple Orchard Mountain
2,825 ft / 861 m prom
Most summited peak
Mount Rogers
138 summits
Most difficult peak
Apple Orchard Mountain
Class 1
Difficulty breakdown
Class 1/2 3 peaks
Class 3/4 1 peak
Highlights
Latest summits
"Part of an 8 1/2 mile trail run with Jake along the Appalachian Trail. Phenomenal views at Mills Gap, the base of the mountain. Peered down at the valley with the James River and Purgatory Mountain in sight. " — runshigleyrun • Mar 16, 2024
"Birthday run with Jake the Dog (trail name: Barq). Beautiful day for going up and coming down the mountain, but the wind was bitter at the top. My ears got so cold; I had a headache. Other than that, Jake and I had a great run. This was his longest run (7.6 miles) and most elevation gain (near 2,000 feet)." — runshigleyrun • Feb 17, 2024
"Heavy drifts around summit (waist deep), windchill on top of 15 degree F temps. Hands lost fine motor function after two minutes exposed at summit. Little devil steps were fine in spite of ice. Microspikes recommended." — DannaBanana • Jan 20, 2024
"My first-time up McAfee with snow. The temps were in the low 20's with wind chills of below zero at the top, but the run up was sunny, no breeze, and over-dressed hot. Had great company with the Hollins U soccer coach and it went fast. Views were spectacular as usual, but with an extra highlight of snow. The way down was fun, and I ran over to the top of Sawtooth Ridge. May have strained my left calf, but worth it. " — runshigleyrun • Jan 20, 2024
"One last one on the way home from this crazy week. Left the cabin in Burnsville, NC around 6am and drove the 2.5 hours out to Grayson Highlands State Park, VA in hopes of some pony searching.
The balds are inhabited by a herd of ~150 wild ponies that run and graze within the confines of the park. The ponies are very accustomed to humans and rarely halt their grazing as hikers pass close by. All-in-all we spotted 28 ponies.
Then it was on up to Mount Rogers. Mount Rogers is the highest natural point in Virginia at 5,729’
The summit is most easily accessed from Grayson Highlands State Park by following the Appalachian Trail southbound for 3.5 miles to a blue-blazed trail leading to the summit, which is covered by trees and marked with four National Geodetic Survey triangulation station disks.
Total tally for the week is 46.9 miles and 11,917’ of climbing.
" — wiweasel • Nov 26, 2023