View Full Version : AT section near Lynchburg, VA?
I am thinking about getting out on the AT for a section near Lynchburg, VA. Any ideas? I would like to do about 4-5 days, so in the 50 mile range.
This would potentially be in 3 weeks.
bigcranky
02-27-2009, 14:51
The section from the James River southbound to Daleville is about the distance. Slightly longer is the section from VA 42 north to Daleville. Both sections have some good climbs.
US 60 near Buena Vista to I-64 at Rockfish Gap is about 55 miles or so. Also a great section.
I live in Lynchburg and like both directions but I think if I had to choose I would head north from 60 over toward Mt. Pleasant, Tar Jacket Ridge, Lovingston Springs area (headwaters of Piney and Tye rivers, a beautiful little vale), Spy Rock (awesome camp site), Crabtree Falls (highest cascade east of Mississippi supposedly) and on and on until you get to Rockfish Gap. You'll get to go up the Priest the easy way, cross the Tye River swinging foot bridge, and then go up Three Ridges the hard way and on over Humpback Mountain toward Rockfish Gap. Might still be pretty chilly at night three weeks from now. On the other hand, views should be awesome with no leaves on the trees. To get to the trail crossing on 60 is about 50-60 minutes from Lynchburg.
Thanks for the info. I will look in to the routes you mention.
Big Cranky - what kind of climbs are we talking about? Switchbacks up 2000', straight up climbs?
This will be my first time on the AT if I get to go, so its all new to me.
Hikerhead
02-27-2009, 22:26
I live in Lynchburg and like both directions but I think if I had to choose I would head north from 60 over toward Mt. Pleasant, Tar Jacket Ridge, Lovingston Springs area (headwaters of Piney and Tye rivers, a beautiful little vale), Spy Rock (awesome camp site), Crabtree Falls (highest cascade east of Mississippi supposedly) and on and on until you get to Rockfish Gap. You'll get to go up the Priest the easy way, cross the Tye River swinging foot bridge, and then go up Three Ridges the hard way and on over Humpback Mountain toward Rockfish Gap. Might still be pretty chilly at night three weeks from now. On the other hand, views should be awesome with no leaves on the trees. To get to the trail crossing on 60 is about 50-60 minutes from Lynchburg.
That's what I would do. There's some good climbs but with just rewards. Spy Rock is awesome and the open high meadows of Tar Jacket Ridge is very nice.
bigcranky
02-28-2009, 12:36
Big Cranky - what kind of climbs are we talking about? Switchbacks up 2000', straight up climbs?
Yes.
You'll see the ~2000 foot climbs out of major gaps (big road crossings, like US 60), most of these are reasonably well graded. Then you'll find a lot of 300-500 foot up-and-down as you walk along the ridgelines. Take it easy and these are fine, too.
Enjoy.
What would be the best source for maps and trail info for the area? I was thinking a thru-hikers guide so I can reference it for future sections in different areas. What do you all think?
bigcranky
02-28-2009, 16:23
Sure. You can buy maps and trail guides from the ATC
http://www.atctrailstore.org/
There are several good guides. Appalachian Pages, the Companion, the Thru-Hiker's Handbook, etc.
Hmm. I looked at their inventory. I am a bit confused - what is the difference between all the sections of guide books in VA compared to the thu hikers companion? All I see is the companion says it leaves a lot of stuff up to the hikers to discover. Also, are the maps just basic plain-jane topo's or do they have anything else marked/listed on there (camps, water sources, resupply stores, etc)?
This is not a difficult section-the hardest being hiking south bound up The Priest. We hiked Punchbowl to Long Mt. Wayside last weekend. I am not in top shape and still had no problems. Ditto with the Priest which I hiked back in the fall.
Frau
bigcranky
02-28-2009, 20:53
OK, you can get two kinds of books:
Guidebooks: these are sold with the maps, and cover short pieces of the trail is very great detail. ("Turn left at fence at .01 miles; ascend gently for .3 miles; cross road at .4," that sort of thing.) More detail than necessary, actually. But they are nice to have for studying in advance.
Trail guides: cover the whole trail in a single book. These have basic mileage information, and general info about towns and services along the trail. Plenty of info to plan and execute a hike.
If you want to hike a specific section, and you want LOTS of info, get the map and guidebook set. Many hikers don't carry the guidebooks on the trail, though, preferring to carry all or part of a trail guide.
You can download last year's Companion at www.aldha.org. This would be a useful place to start.
The book and map set sounds like what I should get. Considering we would only be on a ~50 mile part we might get away with one map, unless it crosses territories.
I am guessing RT. 60 to Rockfish is central VA? In which case the ATC doesn't have their 2009 book out yet.
The book that comes with the ATC set for Central Virginia has a lot of historical/geological/forest information about the area you are walking through as well as the turn by turn stuff. But the maps in the set are small. I like the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club maps. You would need maps 12 and 13 for this hike. Much larger scale than the AT club maps, and both have cross sections of ups and downs so you can tell what's ahead as far as climbs. For maximum enjoyment of your hike and to keep weight down a bit, I would tear the pages for Rt. 60 to Rockfish out of the book and take those and the PATC maps with you on the hike. The book also has great info on how to get to the trail in the first place, as well as other road approaches.
Press, are you referring to the ATC book then?
I was looking at the central VA book and it covers rt. 64 to Pearis VA. If we do rt. 60 to 64 we will be south and west of that, so it looks like the southwest VA set is what we need.
I will look in to those maps. As long as the trail is marked and I have a reference I will be fine for navigation purposes. I would just like to have a topo to get a sense of the elevation. If the smaller ATC maps do that then that may be all I need.
That time of year sunscreen is a good idea. Great views but no leaves to block the sun. It can be relentless on nice days because of the low angle the sun is at this time of year.
If heading North the back of your neck and the right side of face and arm.
Both directions are great but if heading South make it to 301 near Catawba and eat at the Homeplace.
Thanks for the tip. I did a search for catawba and didn't come up with anything that was in the area. Can you give me more specifics? Also, why do you say if going south?
I have searched this a bit more - if you mean The Homeplace restaurant on Rt. 311 in Roanoke - that is WAYYYY far out. If we do Rt. 60 to Rockfish we will be well a ways north and east of that :D
I am not having any luck tracking down the ATC guide to central virginia. Barnes and Noble has the new one on backorder, but that won't be out until April. If we go in 3 weeks the book won't even come out until we get back :confused:
Is the first edition worth tracking down? So far everywhere I have called doesn't carry it (out of print?).
I forgot to mention I typed in the town name the first tome around: Covers 224 miles from near Waynesboro, Virginia, to Pearisburg, Virginia, on the New River, including parts of the George Washington-Jefferson National Forests and the Blue Ridge Parkway, with a separate description of the North Mountain Trail.
Looks like it covers what we need and then some. Again, I'm not sure if it is worth tracking down?
I just ordered the PATC maps 12 & 13. I got an e-mail back from the ATC about the central VA book and the first edition is gone and the second isn't out yet. So any way I cut it I am back to the maps. Since Press reccomended the PATC series and I can't get an ATC book I figured I would go the PATC route - a little more, but I am not saving on shipping keeping everything ATC :D (since I cant get a book anyhow) and apparently the maps are better.
I think I will just print out the pages from last year's companion and take those with me along with the maps. That should cover everything, ya think?
You don't have to have the book if you have the maps. It just adds to the sense of place, of knowing where you are and what the history and environment is of the place. I saw your other post about a shuttle, there may be some trail angels around Waynesboro (near Rockfish Gap) who will do it, and you could also call the Blue Ridge Mountain Sports Store in Charlottesville, Va. (east of Rockfish Gap), they may have some contacts.
OK, thanks for the info. Ill look in to it.
This is sounding like a lot of fun! I have been wanting to get out on the trail for about 3 years now and things are looking good this time around. Right now I have one buddy interested also, maybe we can get another or two. Anyhow, it will be fun none-the-less.
Will we have any issues with parking for 4-5 days at either Rt. 60 or Rockfish Gap?
Also, which would be best - park at Rockfish, shuttle back to Rt 60 and hike back to our car; or park at Rt 60, hike to Rockfish Gap, and shuttle back to our car at the end?
bigcranky
03-02-2009, 21:18
IIRC the trailhead at Rt 60 is a wide spot in the road. Not sure I'd leave a car there.
Rockfish Gap should be safer. In the past you could leave a car at the hotel there -- you'll want to call them and make sure. Check the Companion online (http://www.aldha.org/comp_pdf.htm).
There's plenty of room to park off Rt. 60, sort of a "wayside" with a pulloff and a picnic table, but it is in the middle of nowhere and I would be a little nervous about leaving my car there unattended for several days in case any of the locals get rowdy. Many more people around most of the time at the Rockfish end and lots of parking places.
McKeever
03-02-2009, 23:49
Sounds like your interested in much of SW and Central VA. The Potomac club maps sound better than the ATC, but for areas south of them you will need the Pedlar district. Your enthusiasm tells me if you make it over three ridges you will want to do more hiking in VA. The best thing you can do get started is join the ATC because they will give you a discount on books and maps shipped directly from Harpers Ferry and it will make you feel cool that you are supporting the trail. http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.1423119/k.BEA0/Home.htm
Their are three books for VA so you need to get the right ones for your sections. If you want to hike around Pearisburg let me know and I will help you. Catawba is an awesome section. If you start a little further south, you can nobo over the Dragon's Tooth, Mcafee's knob, Tinker Mountain Cliffs, and into troutville.
Thanks for the info on Patomac, McKeever. Ill keep it in mind.
Does anyone know what the cell coverage is along this stretch?
Even better - is anyone else a Ham that knows the repeater coverage? What bands?
Cell service depends some on your carrier. I was surprised to find that the top of the mountains do not have better reception than road crossings. The carriers point the antennas for the car traffic. The road crossing at Reeda Gap VA664 to humpback Mtn is near/around Wintergreen ski area and has pretty good service. Spy rock was spotty.
Unfortunately my hiking buddy had something come up and most likely won't be making the trek.
If anyone is interested in tagging along PM me ASAP.
Those that have done this area, is it conducive to a solo? I don't really have an idea of the trail conditions or how well the blazes stand out. I haven't been on the AT before.
There are some remote sections (first 25 miles) but the bald mountains have some beautifull views.