Date: 2010-06-03
From: Grayson Highlands State Park

To: Elk Garden
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

Finally the ponies day has come. Every since we started the trail people have talked about the ponies of Grayson Highlands and the day is here!!! It is foggy and misty. We begin our ascent early about 8:00am while Wild Poodle and Cahoda are doing the long hike we did a few days ago so when we finish we plan to go into Damascus. It is a steep climb to the top but only about a half a mile. The excitement is unbearable, big boulders reaching up into the clouds, pines disappearing into the fog. Paula's real first day of hiking since Hiawassee. She is very happy and out of breath. We reached the summitt in about 30 minutes and see a hiker named Puck and yes his hiking stick is a hockey stick. He tells of the ponies stampeeding past him and shows us a video on his camera. It just makes us even more thrilled. He hikes on and we climb onto a huge rock overlooking the area we just came from and the area we are heading. As we stand there, we meet up with 2 day hikers staying by us in the campground. They take a photo for us and we take one for them. The clouds seem to be breaking and we can see more and more of the pasture. Half Left spots ponies across a field so we climb down and hike as fast as we can. Paula (Iron Maiden) brought carrots and apples for us to feed them. In order to get to the field where the ponies are, we have to climb more boulders and go through a section called Fatman Squeeze. It is a very interesting trail through these huge rock walls, a muddy stream also passes through making the trail slick. Reaching the other side the clouds move away and we can see a herd of ponies. Half Left and Iron Maided drop their sticks and hurry over to begin to feed them, I grab the camera and video them. They are as beautiful as we imagined. Other hikers told us if they turn around not to stay near them because the will kick. They love the apples but are not sure what to do with the carrots. One of them is pregnant while others have already had their babies which are hesitant to get near us. One of them runs off and seems to call for the rest of the herd because he comes back with about 10 other ponies. We get apprehensive then and throw the rest of the carrots and apple pieces down and leave the group to feast.During the day, we see 4 more herds, all as interesting to see as the first. The babies are in range from yearlings to newborn. One newborn was standing in the trail, not moving as we tried to pass by, we shooed them on and she walked very stiff legged like newborns do. She went over to another young pony and they both wallered on the ground together. They get beside each other and scratch each others neck. It is so cute. Lots of photos will be loaded soon. I wish I could post them but I can't. Continuing on, Iron Maiden takes a couple of spills on the wet trail, slipping on roots and rocks that are slimy and wet. She's tough brushes herself off and up the trail we all go. Thomas Knob Shelter is on the top near the side trail to Mt. Rogers. We stop for a brief look in the register and continue on.Arriving at Elk Garden around 1:00 we head to Damascus. Chicken Wings, beer and burgers at Quincy's what a treat. Cahoda and Wild Poodle call us while we are at the outfitter and say they are ready and at the trail head. We go get them so they can get whatever they need in town. Heading back to camp with full bellies and a big fun day of memories we go.