Cabin Ridge Lite Lollipop Hike

Type of Outing: Hike
When: SAT 4/26/2025 9:30 AM
Signup Deadline: 4/25/2025 5:00 pm
Leader: Clare Strayhorn
Distance: 11 miles
Difficulty: R-29, Moderate
Elevation Gain: 1,600 ft.
Description: What better way to celebrate Spring than to hike at Grayson Highlands and once again enjoy the vistas, ponies, and those early spring wildflowers that have already finished blooming in the Triangle and Triad area. This is a hike that I led last June and is a variation on Nicole’s Cabin Ridge Hike (in reverse), the difference being that instead of hiking back on the Cabin Ridge trail we take the Virginia Highlands trail from the Cabin Ridge area, joining up with the Crest trail and then Rhododendron Gap trail back to the trailhead. The hike is a lollipop beginning at Massie Gap, proceeding on the AT south & Rhododendron Gap trails. After a break at Rhododendron Gap followed by lunch at the Thomas Knob Shelter, the hike continues on the AT to the Cabin Ridge overlook area with great views of the surrounding mountains. From there we return via the Virginia Highlands trail, etc., as described above. Be prepared for rocky conditions throughout the hike and some wet sections on the Virginia Highlands trail! Carpooling will be available from the Carolina Diner, Greensboro, at 7 am, and from McDonalds, Jonestown (Winston-Salem) at 7:30 am. For those not carpooling, please plan to meet at the Visitor Center just past the entrance to the park at 9:30 am. There is a charge to get into the park ($10 per car). This out and back hike is about 11 miles, and about 1600 feet elev. [R-29]