FIELD GUIDE
THE SCALES
Grayson County, Virginia
HIKING · 4X4 · CAMPING
FIELD NOTES
The practical stuff from this trip.
Pine Mountain Road (FSR 613) — 4.1 MI · 1 HR 10 MIN · JEEP
Big Wilson Creek Loop — 4.88 MI · 3 HR 56 MIN · LOOP · HIKE
ROUTE NOTES
4X4 ACCESS — PINE MOUNTAIN ROAD 613
Start / Finish: FSR 613 → The Scales
Surface: Rocks, gravel, & dirt
Conditions: Wet and muddy. Rocky.
Notes: Lifted vehicle recommended. Stock Jeeps are ok. Watch for horseback riders.
HIKE — BIG WILSON CREEK LOOP
Crest Trail → Virginia Highlands Horse Trail → Appalachian Trail → Scales Trail
Start / Finish: The Scales
Weather: Overcast, cool, wet from overnight rain
Highlights: Big Wilson Creek · waterfalls · Wise Shelter · wild pony · bog crossing
HISTORICAL MAPS
The country around The Scales, 1935.
MOUTH OF WILSON QUADRANGLE · 1935
U.S. Geological Survey
MAP & TRACKS
4X4 — PINE MOUNTAIN ROAD, FSR 613
Recorded outbound on an earlier trip
HIKE — BIG WILSON CREEK LOOP
THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL INSIDE MOUNT ROGERS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA — 1980
U.S. Forest Service · Southern Region
Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division
AREA MAP
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
ACCESS (seasonal)
Pine Mountain Road / Forest Service Rd. 613
Unpaved mountain road. High-clearance recommended, especially in wet conditions.
MOUNT ROGERS HIGH COUNTRY AND WILDERNESSES, JEFFERSON NATIONAL FOREST, VIRGINIA - 1995
CAMPING
The Scales Campground
Primitive · First-come, first-served
Vehicle accessible
Toilets: vault toilet
Fee: none
WATER
Bring water or be prepared to filter/treat backcountry sources.
WEATHER
Exposed high country. Conditions can change quickly; expect cooler temperatures, wind, and rapidly changing weather.
HORSES
The Scales is heavily used by equestrians. Yield appropriately to horses on roads and trails.
NAVIGATION
Download maps and GPX tracks before leaving cell service.