The Hunt for the Elusive Ponies: An Appalachian Trail Adventure

🏞️ Join us on a backpacking journey through the Grayson Highlands/Mount Rogers area in Virginia! In this vlog, we explore the stunning landscapes, encounter unexpected wildlife, and share the joy of connecting with nature. 🌲
🐴 One of the highlights of our trip is the presence of adorable ponies roaming freely in the area. Watch as we venture off the beaten path, opting for the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail instead of the Appalachian Trail, to get a unique perspective on the beauty that surrounds us.
🏕️ Settling near Thomas Knob shelter for the night, we share our camping experience and take you along as we explore Wilburn Ridge and Pine Mountain, soaking in the scenic views and hoping to spot more ponies.
🌄 Pine Ridge offers breathtaking vistas, but the quest for ponies continues. Join us as we navigate the Appalachian Trail, Crest Trail, and Wilburn Ridge in search of these elusive creatures.
🐎 The journey isn’t without challenges, as we learn valuable lessons about timing when it comes to pony sightings. The anticipation builds as we persist in our quest, encountering horses but still on the lookout for the elusive ponies.
📸 Our perseverance pays off! Discover the moment of excitement when we finally spot the ponies, capturing their beauty on camera. It’s a triumphant end to our weekend adventure, filled with laughter, camaraderie, and the satisfaction of a successful wildlife encounter.
🌟 Watch till the end to share in the joy of a fulfilling weekend, blessed with perfect weather, stunning views, and the magic of the great outdoors. Don’t miss out on the memories made and the unforgettable experiences shared in this wilderness exploration! 🌿📽️ #GraysonHighlands #HikingAdventure #WildlifeEncounter #NatureExploration
Chapters:
00:00 Day 1: Elk Garden Trailhead
02:15 Day 2: Pine Mountain
03:48 Day 3: Crest Trail & Wilburn Ridge
06:08 Day 4: The Hike Out
07:46 Look What We Have Here
Disclosure: if you buy something through product “links” below, I may get a small share of the sale. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. You don’t pay anything extra by using these “links”.
Some of the gear that we used for this trip include:
Sunday Afternoons Men's Charter Hat
amzn.to/3SmQsRd
BottleRuler 3-Pack (Blue) for One Liter smartwater® Bottles
www.bottleruler.com/product/b...
Osprey Aether Pro 70L backpack
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Osprey Exos 48L backpack
amzn.to/45nWrsH
Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Topo Luxe Camping and Backpacking Sleeping Pad
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Enlightened Equipment Revelation 40°F quilt
enlightenedequipment.com/reve...
Snow Peak Mini Solo 2.0 cook set
amzn.to/450Ln4S
UDAP bear canister
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MSR Trail Shot water filter
amzn.to/45iaK1K

[@jfowler]

Want to see more about Grayson Highlands and Mount Rogers? Check this out next 👉 kzbin.info/www/bejne/goiwZq2eaLKlhNE

[@joannsmith9]

Gorgeous sights! I’m so glad you saw the ponys. I loved the music and editing. Great video !

[@tensne12day]

Nice

[@michaelbarton3530]

Just spectacular Jeff! Appreciate you documenting a very special trip!

[@jfowler]

Thanks so much, Mike! Definitely one of my all-time favorite trips 😃

[@CarbLoaded]

Ponies!

[@jfowler]

We found ’em! 😆

[@TheNoobHiker]

Awesome video. The video quality is amazing and editing is top notch! It's funny, you can see the smile on your face after seeing the pony's. These videos do not disappoint!

[@jfowler]

Thanks so much!! Yeah, that was a great moment. To add to the story, three of us had been to this area before and seen the ponies every time. It was Jerry’s first time there and we really wanted him to see them since we talked so much about the area. So glad he wasn’t disappointed! 😎

[@cherylaversano4885]

The wait made it worth it for us too 🐴

[@jfowler]

Thanks for all the encouragement and support! Glad you enjoyed it 😄

[@tensne12day]

Great hike

[@jfowler]

Definitely a great area to hike! Glad you enjoyed the video 😄

[@joergwolf6432]

I like your hat. May I ask what brand it is? Have you been wearing it in heavy rain and wind? Does it protect well?

[@jfowler]

Thanks! It’s a Sunday Afternoons Men’s Charter Hat. I’ll drop a link in the description. It keeps its shape better than my old Columbia nylon hat but I’m still on the lookout for a better one. It’s pretty good with staying on since it has an adjustable headband. I’m not thrilled with the quality but it does the job. 😄

[@joergwolf6432]

​@@jfowlerThank you. Much appreciated.

[@JimHayesHiking]

I was parked there at Elk Garden on the same day(in fact you can see the front of my car in the video) I backpacked the opposite direction and camped out at Buzzard Rock on top of Whitetop. Here's a link to my video on that one if you'd like to check it out kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3u0Zpxmfsh0hJIsi=ZTS_WYsK31EBQ5CI Great hike and video my friend! Take care.

[@jfowler]

Oh, that’s so funny you discovered that! I never thought to go the other direction, but from your video it looks really nice on that side. I’ll have to try that one. Maybe I’ll see you out there! 😄