Grayson Highlands State Park and Mt Rogers Rec area

We hit Grayson Highlands SP a couple of days outside of Damascus, and it was really a highlight. There were open grassy fields with rock outcroppings, and herds of wild ponies grazed there. (They're not really wild, they roam free but herd size is managed, and the ponies are checked once a year for health reasons).

We've been having a lot of rainy days, but we were lucky going through the park - that day was perfect. We camped up high on the ridgline, so we got a nice sunset and sunrise, and also heard the ponies neighing at night. (Their droppings are everywhere too, but that was ok).
We decided not to hitch back for trail days, May 13-16. The gear demos and presentations would have been nice, but too many people and too much partying. The trails have been quieter during these days. Also, people start dropping out in Virginia, so there should be less hikers on the trails.

 A gray, rainy day about 20 miles after leaving Damascus

 The day day clears as we head over Mt Rogers. We go around the summit, which had no views anyway.

 Wild ponies roam the Mt Rogers rec area and Grayson Highlands

 The herd comes right up to the shelter. They like the salty sweat on hikers' gear.

Nice views of the Grayson Highlands

 View from Rhododendron Gap

 Our campsite in Grayson Highlands

 We had perfect weather crossing through Grayson Highlands SP, a lucky break since the whole rest of the week called for rain and storms.

The offical sign for the state park

 A pony and her foal

 The ponies are shaggy and small

 Hikers can - and do - walk right up to the ponies to get pictures and sometimes feed them. The ponies don't seem to mind.

 

One of the herds of wild ponies, with the rock outcroppings of Grayson HIghlands in the background