Talk:Rogers Ridge Horse Trail
Featured Trail
Rogers Ridge Horse Trail is an in-and-out 6.87 mile ridge line trail. It's a long hill climb trail for a day hike but near the end, the 360° views of the surrounding ridge lines all make it worth it. It also has the side benefit of being able to reach the Tri-State Corner Knob junction of TN-NC-VA. It begins in the Horse Ridge Scenic Area of the Cherokee National Forest past Damascus near Laurel Bloomery TN. The trail allows horses but on a recent October 2015 trip, there was little evidence of horses. Although clearly marked at the trail head that ATV/ORV vehicles were not allowed, the sign of their recent presence was along the entire trail.
You begin with an immediate creek crossing that has neither a bridge or decent rocks to hop across, but this will be the last time you see water. Although guide books mentioned some camp sites along the way with water access, we didn't see them. The trail wastes no time in getting to your 3,201 feet of climbing as it's nearly a consistent slope up to the summit. The trail itself we found to be very well marked with Yellow rectangle blazes, but several unmarked and well worn trails connect along the way. It may be possible that one of them connects to the Gentry Creek Falls trail that would make for a nice loop trail. The trail itself is wide with a clear "two-track" appearance with the occasional water logged rut to walk around. While not noticed on the ascent, the descent was challenging for the ankles as there were several sections of loose rocks fist sized and smaller.
At 5.33 miles in, although you would have been teased with views through the trees, you finally enter a clearing to enjoy the views. Although the trail may "officially" end here as the previously well blazed path now lacks markings, continue on to enjoy the views. Take a side trip to the left to get an early view of the surrounding ridge lines and valley. Look to the south to see Grandfather Mountain. After continuing back north, you reach another bald clearing that could suit well for camping, especially large groups. From here you can also get views of Whitetop Mountain and Mt Rogers Mountain to the northeast. Throughout these tree bald clearings, blackberry bushes appear to be growing rampant. It is imagined that a summer trip would have acres of blackberries begging for the picking if you can tolerate the thorns!
Continuing east to the state line you'll pass the trail high point in the final bald clearing measured by GPS at 4,900'. By this point you would have noticed the house on the bald ridge top to the east. Upon our visit, the house had been severely vandalized with the damage approaching a near total loss. Although unfortunate for the owner, one can only hope that one day this majestic ridge line location and profile could be returned to its original natural glory. After the high point the trail begins to consistently descend for the first time, and ends at a trail/road. Turn left to continue the descent to find the Tri-State Corner Knob, the (at least at one time) official terminus of this trail.
When visited in October of 2015 the hike was an enjoyable day of near complete solitude. The only encounter was a couple in a truck near the trail terminus. Unexpectedly we found the tree colors to be apparently in their early stages to the south and west, and finding only bare trees to the north and east. Regardless, the day of fresh air, views, and exercise was more than enough to make this a great trail to visit.