Posted 2007-08-01 5:39 AM (#64801 - in reply to #64664) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
Regular
Posts: 85 Location: Foothills of the Smokeys
No I would not go back, but I am glad I went the first time. If you go, just be aware that the trails are extreme and take a good first- aide kit for your horse. We went with a large group, and didn't have any mishaps. But we were warned ahead of time that about one horse a year dies up there from bleeding to death on the trail by being cut on the rocks. Not trying to scare you off or discourage you, just be aware.
Posted 2007-08-01 10:05 PM (#64867 - in reply to #64664) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
I've been to HCC in Va. twice and enjoyed both times.(Once for 3 days, the other for 4) The trails ARE rocky, but these rocks are flat (on the actual trail). There are rocks within pastures you should be careful about...don't go flyin'through them. My horses ride barefoot and have tough feet...they did just fine.When you first see one of the trails that is composed of these flat rocks...you'll think.."we're going down this??!!" Give them their head and they will pick their way....after the first time, they won't be so intimidating...What DID kinda get to me was the mile trail(Elk Garden) from camp to access the actual trail heads...you go OUT that trail and RETURN to camp on that trail EVERY time.....but the scenery is beautiful.If you are riding a gaited horse , forget hittin' any licks....not that kind of trail system...it's mostly ambling along and enjoying the scenery!You'll be riding on the TOP of these mountains...I don't recall the trails being particularly steep.I will go back...be sure to pack your slicker, as rain can come up pretty quickly...one little storm we encountered got us "wetter than wet". Oh well, whatcha gonna do...ride on, sister! Happy trails...
Posted 2007-08-03 5:44 AM (#64988 - in reply to #64675) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Oops..correction about High Country and the Elk Garden trail....it's not a mile....it's an hour ride!! Just got pretty "uneventful" (although pretty) Although judging from some folks latest riding adventures...."uneventful" would be a blessing~
Posted 2007-08-03 1:52 PM (#65026 - in reply to #64664) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
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Posts: 114
We have been going to the Mount Rogers recreation areas for over 15 years. We have stayed at High Country every year. The stalls are clean dry, large and airy for your horse. The camp ground is clean, grassy and there are hot showers and clean bathrooms. Yes, the trails are rocky, but I have never heard of a horse bleeding to death and that is an extreme exaggeration. A hore did die last year from being struck by lightening. The trails are clearly marked at the junctions. The "Scales" is considered the center of the riding trails. You can go to the Mount Rogers Recreation site or Virginia Highlands state park (just type that into the search criteria) and you can get all kinds of information, view trails, get some maps and order a large map from the department. We just stayed four days on the other side of the mountain from High Country. It was beautiful. We saw the wild ponies. There is also the state park and Rocky Hollow Horse camp. There is also more riding at Fox creek and that mountain is not rocky and is part of the Va. highlands horse trail. We can tell you lots more places to ride in Virginia.
Posted 2007-08-03 2:37 PM (#65032 - in reply to #64664) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
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Posts: 216 Location: Chillicothe, Ohio
Just my opinion, but I prefer to stay at the Va Highlands State Park. The trails that access the Mount Rogers area are better from the park and not as long to get to nice riding plus you dont need to go through some of the rocks that are mentioned in these posts. The campsites are better in my opinion, better shaded. The horse barn just has tie stalls, but our horses did fine in them for a week of riding. There are some outside pens available also. There are a few areas up in Mount Rogers that are pretty rocky also, but the main trail access from the west (High country)is one of the worst. The only drawback if you consider it is that the campground is about 50-75 yards from the barn thus you need to haul tack up to saddle up, but there is a parking lot next to the barn so we just throw everything for entire group in one truck and haul it up and leave the truck there until we return. No big problem.
Posted 2007-08-04 9:21 AM (#65092 - in reply to #65032) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
I'm not confusing Va. Highlands Horse camp with Grayson Highlands camp am I? If not, how do you get to Va. Highlands from the I-77 area? Also, how about the camping navigation with an LQ (10'-3 horse) rig? I tell you, with this new trailer I have, I have to get some heads-up info about the camping area...sure you know what I mean! Does tis camp have elec/water hookups? While on the subject....anyone been to Iron Mountain camp lately?? How about it??? Thanks, guys..
Posted 2007-08-04 9:25 AM (#65093 - in reply to #65026) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
Veteran
Posts: 140 Location: Ft. Lawn, South Carolina
Great!! Would love to know of your first-hand visits to other Va. area camps! (Have been to High Country...like it too) I would like to have elec/water hook-ups. Thanks for any info.
Posted 2007-08-04 2:28 PM (#65109 - in reply to #65093) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
Member
Posts: 18
Location: Laurel Fork, Va from Arcadia, FL
I ride frequently at Iron Mountain Horse Camp. It was IMHC that was responsible for us moving up this way from Florida. Had planned to stay there 3 days but stayed 3 weeks, went home sold the ranch, retired and moved up here (Laurel Fork). Trails vary from easy to difficult. You can ride 1 hour or 12 hours. You can ride 4 different directions. The trails aren't well marked but you learn them with time. Good barn facilities, clean bathrooms with hot showers, water and electric at each site and a nice tack shop. Ken
Posted 2007-08-06 11:12 AM (#65237 - in reply to #64664) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
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Posts: 114
We go to Iron Mt. Campground often. We even take our grandchildren who play in the stream that runs through the camp. Shelia and Danny Odum are wonder hosts. Shelia loves to take people out on trail rides. the place is immaculately clean and well cared for. The website is www.ironmountainhorsecamp.com. You can get any size trailer in there.
Posted 2007-08-07 9:35 AM (#65313 - in reply to #64664) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
Veteran
Posts: 114
Other places to ride in Virginia: Rockyhollow Horse camp in Va Higlands or some call it the Mount Rogers Recreation Area, http://www.blacksfortinn.com Abdington, Va.http://www.fortvalleystable.com/ This is northern Viginia.http://www.fs.fed.us/r8/gwj/easterndivide/recreation/horses/index.shtml
This is the Jefferson National Forest web site for areas around Blacksburg, Roanoke areas. The White Cedars horse camp does not have electric but does have portable water, nice toliets, and the actual campgound is more beautiful than any I have ever been to. The trails are not rocky.
Posted 2007-09-02 5:26 PM (#67045 - in reply to #64801) Subject: RE: High Country Campground, VA
Member
Posts: 43 Location: Goodlettsville, TN
We just returned from High Country Campground and absoutely loved it. The owners are so nice and really want to please. The campground is not the largest (which to us is a plus) - very clean and well maintained. The stalls are large and well built. It is a great place and after a long day of riding we found the nightlife to be quite and laid back. (another plus)
The riding was great and the views are breathtaking. HCC offers a "shuttle service" and we opted to try it out. This gave us an opportunity to try trails that were further out from the campground and ride back. Everyone in our group wanted to stay longer.
High Country Campground, VA
