마운트 로저스 국립 휴양지

고도: 5729 ft.

그레이슨 하이랜드 주립공원의 매시 갭에서 로댄드론 트레일(0.8 )을 하이킹하세요. 마일), 애팔래치아 국립 경관 트레일과 합류하는 마운트 로저스 스퍼 트레일까지 약 3.0 마일을 따라가면 버지니아에서 가장 높은 봉우리 특유의 스프루스 숲에 도달하게 됩니다. (참고: 로도덴드론 트레일과 애팔래치아 트레일의 교차로에서 로저스 산 정상까지 가는 하이킹 코스는 보통에서 난이도가 있는 트레일로 4.5-5.0 마일입니다.)

The blackberry tangles on the edge of this forest are filled with chestnut-sided warblers and eastern towhees. Once you step into the cool mossy spruce woods you enter an entirely different world. The forest here appears ancient with every limb dripping with mosses and lichens. These same mosses carpet the trail and cushion each step as you slowly climb to the summit of Mt. Rogers. The birds here are very different from the first few miles of the climb. The always-present Appalachian subspecies of dark-eyed junco is still here, but the other skulkers in the undergrowth have changed. Winter wren, veery and hermit thrush can be heard twittering from the forest floor, but it takes a patient observer to get decent views of them. The familiar chickadees calling in the trees sound a little hoarser, a little raspier and when they are finally seen, the brownish cast down their side alerts you that these are different. The chickadees on Mt. Rogers are the black-capped from farther north, not the Carolina, which are found at lower elevations throughout the state. Many of Mt. Rogers’ other birds are from parts farther north as well. Golden-crowned kinglet, red-breasted nuthatch and red crossbill can all be found regularly at these high elevations, as can magnolia warbler, and hairy woodpecker. Mt. Rogers is also home to one of the highest diversities of salamanders in the world. Aside from the multitude of wildlife, Mt. Rogers’ beauty lies in all its moss. A careful observer will find an incredible diversity of tiny plants, mushrooms, and insects on almost any trunk or fallen branch. Look for the intricately patterned wood sorrel and a variety of gallerina mushrooms intermingled within these acres of deep green moss. The peak is marked by a small brass plate embedded in the rock. Those hoping for a view from the top of Virginia’s highest peak may be disappointed since, at the summit, one can only see forest in every direction. Fortunately, the amazing views seen from along Wilburn Ridge on the hike up and down more than compensate.

참고:

• 나열된 시설은 그레이슨 하이랜드 주립공원 내 매시 갭에만 있습니다.
• 후지산에서 더 쉬운 하이킹을 원하는 방문객을 위해, 이 책에서 소개하는 하이킹 코스는 다음과 같습니다. 로저스 국립 휴양지 팻 제닝스 방문자 센터에는 주차장 뒤편에 애팔래치아 트레일 구간을 포함한 여러 트레일이 있습니다.