View Full Version : Rockfish Gap to Daleville
So, I'm planning this section for September and am putting out feelers about this section of trail.
What's the trail like in this section - moderate, strenous, etc.....? Any stores/showers/food close to the trail through here?
I know I can read about it in the various companions but there's nothing like first hand info from people who know the trail.
john gault
09-01-2008, 16:07
Judging by your title, I assume you'll be SOBO from Rockfish Gap. This is a nice section with some real hills thrown in. Humpback will probably be your first good climb, not all that steep, but it seems to go on and on... Then you got Three Ridges, which is some pretty good climbing. You'll especially love The Priest, if you like climbing. All and all, it's a nice section, much tougher than the terrain north of Rockfish Gap. I'd say moderate with some tough sections.
I didn't take a shower/resupply in that section, until I got to Daleville. Althought, I did get chased by a turkey a little past Thunder Hill shelter, so watch out!
_terrapin_
09-01-2008, 16:33
I recall it as a fairly strenuous section -- the Three Ridges, the Priest, etc. Not quite as tough as the Whites, and reasonably well graded, but the daily verticals are significant. I took a half day in Buena Vista, even though it's a ways off the trail. There's also the Dutch Haus (?) B&B, which gets good reviews, accessible via a side trail a few miles south of Priest Shelter.
Richard Snider
09-01-2008, 16:57
I agree the Three Ridges/The Priest section will be the toughest of your hike but nothing too strenuous. From the north Three Ridges is fairly gradual climb. From the valley floor (appx 1000 ft elev) to the summit of The Priest (4068 ft, I think) is about a 3000 ft elevation gain over appx 4 miles so thats about 750 feet/mile. It is a little bit of a winding hike but the trail is in excellent shape. The rest of the trail - before and after - Three Ridges/The Priest is reasonably moderate.
buff_jeff
09-01-2008, 18:50
There's also the Dutch Haus (?) B&B, which gets good reviews, accessible via a side trail a few miles south of Priest Shelter.
The Dutch Haus B&B is very nice but it is 1.1 miles down the mountain. 1.1 miles that you will have to walk back up.
buff_jeff
09-01-2008, 18:51
You'll also have to arrange a ride with the owner, unless you want to walk even further.
Route Step
09-01-2008, 19:26
As noted above The Priest is the hardest climb on this part of the AT. It only has one good view going up it from the north heading south and no view once on top. Be in hiking shape and you will climb up it for about 2.5 hours. The first time I went up it I was sore for four days.
About 4.5 miles east on VA56 (Tye river) is a little store at Massie Mill that has some resupply hiker stuff.
Climb up spy rock for a view.
I had an easy hitch in to Glasgow for a resupply, stayed at the little motel across the street.
I had a note that Fullhardt Knob shelter had poison ivy.
That's about all I can tell you.
Kerosene
09-02-2008, 10:05
As noted above The Priest is the hardest climb on this part of the AT. It only has one good view going up it from the north heading south and no view once on top. There is a lovely view (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=458) from the summit of The Priest which looks out over Pinnacle Ridge with Three Ridges off to the right. I spent a lovely mid-morning break in an almost meditative state looking out at the Fall colors. I thought that the elevation map was more intimidating than the difficulty of the actual climb. The trailbed is very nice, with switchbacks keeping the grade consistent. We did stop for a quick breakfast at the flat rock about halfway up.
The trail after US-60/Buena Vista is very easy until Punchbowl Shelter. In fact, that is a section I was thinking of using to introduce a newbie to the AT. After Glasgow, you'll get a good climb out after Matts Creek, but again, a nice trail.
PM me if you'd like a copy of my detailed trail journal covering those sections.
Funny, I'm going to be doing the same section NoBo within the next few weeks. When are you leaving?
Blissful
09-02-2008, 11:41
No easy resupply in this section. Have to hitch quite ways to Beuna Vista and Glasgow. But I think this is much easier hiking SOBO than NOBO. Going up the the Priest is not that big of a deal. Three Ridges you are going mostly downhill as well at down to Rt 60 (which I did SOBO that part but looks like a bear going NOBO). Enjoy, should be super! I've heard Dutch Haus is well worth the detour. And the trail gong down and up is not that bad (you hike more to towns elsewhere).
Also you can look forward to walking through Brown Mountain valley area after crossing Rt. 60 in Amherst County, where some ruins and rock walls remain from a community of freed slaves who lived there until around 1900. Farther south, James River crossing on long foot bridge is cool. Trail then passes through James River Face Wilderness area south of river and goes through remote areas, compared to SNP anyway, although it does intersect with the Blue Ridge Parkway in several spots. ... A lot of up and down but nothing too bad. I also agree with whoever said that the Priest is not as tough as it is cracked up to be. Yeah, it can be a long slog to the top but it never gets too steep.
Sounds like a great section and I'm looking forward to hiking it. My shuttle is scheduled for next weekend but it looks like I'm going to have to postpone this one because of the weather.
At the moment we've got TS Hanna that's going to blow in tonight and next week we've got the possibility of Ike.
Hurricane season... not my favorite time of year.
Blissful
09-05-2008, 14:59
This one will blow through fairly quickly here though, one day mainly of rain. Just be prepared if you head out in it. 'Tis the season, and we need it for the water table.
Cookerhiker
09-05-2008, 21:38
..... Farther south, James River crossing on long foot bridge is cool. .....
I second this. My AT section hiking of this section was in the 1980s before the Foot bridge was built. I returned to hike a few days in December '06 and really enjoyed the bridge crossing. Also you'll get nice views of the river from the ridgeline as you approach the bridge.
I believe the bridge crossing is the lowest elevation point of the AT in Virginia.
_terrapin_
09-05-2008, 22:14
Don't forget "Highcock Knob." Hehe.
rainmaker
09-06-2008, 23:31
Don't forget "Highcock Knob." Hehe.
Absolutely, don't miss Highcock Knob, the highlight our trip. Madame kept saying how much she wanted to meet the demented S.O.B.s who took the trail over that knob.
As for the Dutchhaus, call the lady and make tentative reservations. They'll pick you up at the trail head and drop you back off. Also there is a store near the trail that is adequet for short term re-supply. One thing you need to know though, they will not let you wear your clothes while in the B&B. Didn't bother us. Have a nice hike and maybe Ike will leave us alone. BTW, my in-laws live on Wrightsville Ave. and my son is on Wrghtsville Beach today surf kayaking, surfs up.
. One thing you need to know though, they will not let you wear your clothes while in the B&B.
So you have to walk around nekkid?
RiverWarriorPJ
09-07-2008, 08:37
It only has one good view going up it from the north heading south and no view once on top. .
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/1/1/1/7/made_it_thumb.jpg (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=23517&catid=member&imageuser=11117)
..atop the priest ... north over my shoulder ... great hike..
mtnkngxt
09-07-2008, 08:56
Yeah inquiring minds want to know about the Dutchhouse? I didn't stop there on my section, but whats up with no clothes? Nudist colony, Clean Clothes, Free Spirits??
_terrapin_
09-07-2008, 09:05
Count me among the curious (re: Dutch Haus). I skipped it because it would have involved a long downhill trek to get there and a long uphill to get back. The proprietors sounded very nice on the phone.
rainmaker
09-07-2008, 19:58
I figured that remark would get some attention and the answer is, no, you don't. When you get there they give you a room where you'll find wonderfully soft towels and a similar bathrobe. Take a hot shower and slip on the bathrobe while they wash, dry, and fold your clothes. You just can't beat the service or the food, ample portions and tasty.
One final thing, if you get them to drop you by the local store to re-supply, be careful with the Coleman by the oz. I topped off my fuel container there only to find the fuel was loaded with water. It did a number on my Simmerlight.
Dutchhaus was a great stop.
Ok, so I'm pretty much set... I arranged a shuttle from Daleville to Rockfish Gap next weekend and treated myself by ordering some food from trailfoods.com.
I'm still trying to figure out where, if anywhere to come off the trail and get a shower and resupply or if I should just hike straight through.
Looks like Buena Vista is around the halfway point and not that far off the trail. Is that a tough hitch and does it have a hotel, restuarants and resupply?
_terrapin_
09-12-2008, 23:22
Looks like Buena Vista is around the halfway point and not that far off the trail. Is that a tough hitch and does it have a hotel, restuarants and resupply?
Call "William" at 540 570 8843. I got his number (almost exactly 1 year ago) from the manager of the Budget Inn in Buena Vista. William picked me up at the trailhead, took me into town and back to the trailhead the next morning. He never asked for cash, so I offered $20 for the round trip, and he seemed content with that. Really friendly old guy, though it's obvious he lives out of his beat-up old car.
There are a few restaurants in Buena Vista, about 3/4 mile south on the main drag. Mexican place, Chinese place, and a take-out pizza place. Plus a Subway just in front of the Budget Inn. Resupply -- not that great. There's a well-stocked convenience store opposite the Budget Inn, and a Dollar Store just up the road.
f8lranger4x4
09-13-2008, 21:21
The last shelter before u get into daleville has no water. So make sure you have plenty and don't plan on getting any their. Fulkhart shelter is the name I think.
Blissful
09-13-2008, 22:25
Good idea if you can find someone to pick you up - It's a bit of a tough hitch to Buena Vista.
foxfire01
09-13-2008, 23:53
This is a pretty section with mostly moderate ups and downs. Coming off the Tye River and up the Priest is long but has good switch backs. Not to many places to stop, it is a rather hard hitch on Rt 60 to Buena Vista or Lexington. There are also some great views of the James River from Little Rocky Row !
Foxfire
Ga Me 02