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Backpacker Magazine – January/February 2010

Readers' Choice Southeast Hikes: Mt. Rogers NRA, VA

Celebrate the arrival of summer with an unrivaled circus of color.

by: Southeast Reader Map Team

Rogers NRA, VA (Pat & Chuck Blackley)

READERS CHOICE 2010
See which other trips made it into our annual awards.

This 115,000-acre preserve has a 400-mile network of trails that wind through grassy, open country with herds of wild ponies and our panel’s favorite wildflower display. June brings natural fireworks of flame azaleas, mountain laurels, and rhododendron.  

See “the best of the best,” according to Juskelis, by linking the Rhododendron Gap Trail to the AT for a 2.5-miler to the brightly colored gap shown above. 

PLAN IT
Driving From Marion, go 33 miles south on VA 16 to US 58 and head eight miles to Grayson Highlands State Park.

Map Trails Illustrated Mount Rogers NRA ($10, natgeomaps.com)

Contact (800) 628-7202, fs.fed.us/r8/gwj