Mount Rogers - The Summit EarthCache
Mount Rogers - The Summit
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(not chosen)
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Massie Gap - The Start (the easy part)
After arriving at the Grayson Highlands Park, drive to the
Massie Gap parking area (see coordinates). Follow the obvious trail
(Rhododendron) through the meadow north to the Appalachian Trail
(white blazes). Follow the AT up Wilburn Ridge through the
Rhododendron Gap to the Thomas Knob shelter. From the shelter, take
the Mount Rogers Spur trail to the summit for less than .6 of a
mile. From parking it will be about 4.5 miles and an elevation
change of over 1000 feet. This is a difficult climb through
meadows, rock slide areas, boulder fields and very rocky trails.
Please do not bring small children. It is too far to carry
them and too far and dangerous for them to walk. Even adults must
be in pretty good condition. WARNING: I cannot
emphasize enough that this is a difficult climb. The above photo is
deceptive because that is the very easy start! Many hikers have had
to be rescued form the mountain. Severe weather changes are common
with significant temperature drops and instant rain and/or
snow. Look at the difference between the above Massie
Gap and the below Summit photos. Those pictures were taken on the
same day which shows a small amount of snow at the beginning versus
the end of the trip! We went from a 'scattering' of snow to a foot
or more of the white stuff!
Mount Rogers was named after William Barton Rogers who was
the State’s first geologist. He was educated at William and
Mary and was a professor of natural philosophy and chemistry there
from 1828 to 1835. He later founded M.I.T.
Pangaea
Mount Rogers is the highest point in Virginia and most are
not aware that it is an extinct volcano. Mount Rogers is part of
the Appalachian Mountain chain, which is considered to be one of
the oldest mountain chains in the World. The birth of the mountains
is dated from 450 to 300 million years ago. This birth occurred
when the supercontinent Pangaea was formed by the collision of
major mountain building tectonic plates. The Appalachian mountains
along with the Mount Rogers chain were near the middle of the
supercontinent. Because Africa and North America were connected,
the Appalachian Mountains were part of the Atlas Mountains of
Algeria and Morocco.
During the rifting of the mountains by collusion of the
plates, pressures deep within the Earth built and were released by
the formation of volcanoes. Geologists have proven that volcanoes
were once very active here by an examination of the rocks. The only
way the type of rocks that are found on Mount Rogers are formed,
are by extreme heat as in the lava or
magma of volcanoes.
The Formation Of Igneous
Rocks
Speaking of rocks, Mt Rogers rocks are predominately
igneous. As stated earlier, only very high temperatures, as in
volcanic activity, formed the rocks of Mt. Rogers. These rocks are
one of the three major classifications of rocks. The other two are
metamorphic and sedimentary which entirely different than igneous
rocks. Sedimentary rocks are just what the name implies, formed by
sediments and metamorphic rocks are rocks, which were
metamophisized (structurally changed) by tremendous pressures and
heat. Of the types of igneous rocks, Mt. Rogers rocks are
extrusive meaning they were shot and/or flowed out of the
volcanoes as opposed to being intrusive which remained
underground. Granite is a common example of an intrusive rock. The
extrusive rocks, which form the many high outcrops leading to the
summit and the summit itself, are mainly rhyolite. The color
variations lend to the beauty of the area. Unfortunately, like the
saying,”its not the destiny, it’s the trip
itself” certainly applies to Mt. Rogers. Several small and
very large rhyolitic knobs and outcroppings will occupy your
viewing pleasure during the trip to the summit.You may even be
greeted my some of the ‘wild’ ponies which live in the
area. Other than a few small rock outcroppings, the top of Mt.
Rogers is a fairly dense spruce/fir forest. There is a nearby
benchmark to be found in the quiet green woods. Reaching the summit
will take some time (allow 3 to 4 hours) because there will be
many, many photographic opportunities and just plain sight
seeing.
A Little Trail
Buddy
The Summit - Winter Style (the hard
part is over!)
Note: In order for you to claim a find of this EC
you must: 1. Post a photo of your entire party standing with the
rock in the background (at the given coordinates) and your GPSr in
hand, If you do not want to show your face in the photo, an
alternative is to photograph your GPSr pointing to the rock. 2.
Email answers to the following questions; a. What is the
elevation shown on your GPSr and b. What colors do you see in the
outcropping? Emails only, do not post answers.
We hope you have a wonderful time and even though the trip
is kind of difficult, we are sure that you will agree this area has
few equals! Be sure to find the very nearby Benchmark
(FZ2155). Remember, Earthcaches rock or at least many are
rock!
This Earthcache was approved by the
Geological Society of America
| We have earned GSA's highest level: |
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Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
"Pyvzo rirel zbhagnva", be ng yrnfg guvf bar!