View Full Version : McAfee Knob to Troutville
JLorenzo77
08-26-2016, 08:19
Hey - My buddy and I are booked to hike from McAfee Knob to Troutville on a Friday - Saturday in early October. Looks to be a two day, one night hike of roughly 10 miles per day. I was hoping anyone familiar with this hike could help me out with a few questions.
1) How is the parking in Troutville? Never been down there.
2) I am going to leave my house in Maryland super early on Friday and meet my buddy down there. We are going to park the other car at Route 311. How is parking down there? If hear it gets busy so hopefully we can get a spot early.
3) This will be my first overnight trip. I've done day hikes. I was wondering about the terrain.
Thanks!
JLorenzo77
08-26-2016, 08:23
We'll be staying at Lambert's Meadow shelter (which was closed in May due to numerous bear sightings). Hoping that isn't an issue.
Gambit McCrae
08-26-2016, 09:04
Im doing that section this next weekend so I can provide info on all of this better then. But for some info right now, parking in Troutville is not a problem
311 parking: Get there EARLY!!!!
(http://rohland.homedns.org:8008/at/at_VAsection28/ATPictures.aspx)
There is no parking around i81, or at us11
Down about .25 mile front he trail head on US11 is a paint and body shop,
4305 Lee Highway
Troutville, Phone: (540) 966-4089
I have had good luck calling business' in advance to ask to park for a period of time. If this isn't an option I would suggest backing it up to Daleville, there are many establishments there for safe parking. I would still call and ask first as a standard
Lambert Meadows: It is open, so I'm staying there. I would just use safe bear habits and enjoy the ride lol
Other useful links:
take down Homers number from my shuttle link, if the trip goes south, he is the best contact you have. He can be found in the shuttle list in my sig
AT by Picture: This is a good link for checking out parking situations (http://rohland.homedns.org:8008/at/at_menu.aspx)
At trip mile logger- you can use this to keep up with your completed mileage
(http://www.atdist.com/)
chknfngrs
08-26-2016, 09:06
1. parking available where trail crosses VA11
2. Large lot with ample parking where trail crosses VA311
3. Moderately steady climb or of VA311, but past McCafee Knob is easy
Lambert's meadow is great - some nice trees for hammock hanging, too
I don't see any issues with your parking plan - just a matter of available space, which can be variable.
On the north end, you are much better off parking at the park and ride next to the Exxon station on 220. It's directly off I-81 at exit 150. The trail doesn't directly hit that parking lot, but it's only a hundred yards or so back behind the gate.
Bear boxes were put in last month and you should have no issue with bears in lamberts..Do take Homer's number if you need a lift..He the best resource in the area...Have fun...
JLorenzo77
08-26-2016, 10:31
Thanks everyone for the awesome advice, suggestions and information. I'm excited for this.
carouselambra
08-26-2016, 10:53
Very nice campsites a hundred yards north of the Lambert's Meadow Shelter:
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=61350&catid=member&imageuser=43121
Gambit McCrae
08-26-2016, 10:56
1. parking available where trail crosses VA11
I looked on Google maps road view and could not see any viable parking here, off the road in a pocket parking lot or is your suggestion to park on side of road?
chknfngrs
08-26-2016, 11:22
Just south of the trail crossing.
https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventure/appalachian-trail/
Gambit McCrae
08-26-2016, 11:32
Ah I see that now! Thumbsup
carouselambra
08-26-2016, 14:21
Also, make sure you give yourself plenty of time at Tinker Cliffs. A lot of spectacular views over a wide area.
Gambit McCrae
08-26-2016, 15:12
Also, make sure you give yourself plenty of time at Tinker Cliffs. A lot of spectacular views over a wide area.
Is there tenting at tinker cliffs?
No, only at designated campsites.
chknfngrs
08-26-2016, 16:23
I slept in a tent in a clearing on the AT just a jibble away from them
Gambit McCrae
08-26-2016, 17:47
Just what i need. A nibble. I mean a jibble!!
School (VT)is back in session. The local LEO's will be making regular rounds
looking for underage drinking (&such) and illegal camping.
Its become a nice revenue stream for them.
V8
Gambit McCrae
08-28-2016, 12:09
School (VT)is back in session. The local LEO's will be making regular rounds
looking for underage drinking (&such) and illegal camping.
Its become a nice revenue stream for them.
V8
havent ever run across this, are they looking for outrageous party goers or me sipping my scotch?
Is there tenting at tinker cliffs?
If you go further north (I guess a mile) and start down the mountain from Tinker Cliffs, there is a shelter off to your right (Campbell). I remember stopping there for a snack. Last year I ran that exact section (more like fast pack and jogging). There was water in the stream at Lamberts shelter, but it was very shallow and I couldn't fill my Sawyer filter bag. The Lambert Meadows campsite about 1/4 mile further north has some better water and a slight elevation cascade where you can fill a filter bag fairly easy. That is also a nice spot in there. From that point north, it is easy going. I was able to run 90% of it.
havent ever run across this, are they looking for outrageous party goers or me sipping my scotch?
Just don't make camp in illegal areas and don't do stupid stuff and you should be OK.
BTW it's very dry around here right now, be sure to fill up on water every chance you get.
Enjoy your hike.
V8
agreed on the water.
When i went through there last year there was no water after leaving Pickle Branch shelter, continuing across hwy 311, and not until Campbell shelter and the creek a bit past/behind - kind of to the left if your facing the opening of the shelter.
There was water at pickle branch shelter, Campbell shelter, and down at Lamberts Meadow shelter...
October should be getting to be a real, real nice time to do that hike. Hope you have great weather and a great hike. Don't forget to look right as you ridge walk a bit, before dropping down to Daleville, for some views of the beautiful emerald green Carvins Cove Reservoir.
u.w.
JLorenzo77
08-29-2016, 09:21
If you go further north (I guess a mile) and start down the mountain from Tinker Cliffs, there is a shelter off to your right (Campbell). I remember stopping there for a snack. Last year I ran that exact section (more like fast pack and jogging). There was water in the stream at Lamberts shelter, but it was very shallow and I couldn't fill my Sawyer filter bag. The Lambert Meadows campsite about 1/4 mile further north has some better water and a slight elevation cascade where you can fill a filter bag fairly easy. That is also a nice spot in there. From that point north, it is easy going. I was able to run 90% of it.
So Lambert's is decent? I'll be tenting it. I know this spring there was some bear activity there and way back when, a family of rats lived under the shelter. Rats disgust me.
Gambit McCrae
08-29-2016, 09:38
So Lambert's is decent? I'll be tenting it. I know this spring there was some bear activity there and way back when, a family of rats lived under the shelter. Rats disgust me.
I will most likely be tenting at the campsite down the trail, from the sound of it, it is a better option if going to be tenting. I will update here on Tuesday when I return home water situations, any bear activity(I doubt ill see any), the masses of VT partiers and passels of LEOs herding them up.
JLorenzo77
08-29-2016, 09:56
I will most likely be tenting at the campsite down the trail, from the sound of it, it is a better option if going to be tenting. I will update here on Tuesday when I return home water situations, any bear activity(I doubt ill see any), the masses of VT partiers and passels of LEOs herding them up.
That would be great, Gambit. I look forward to your feedback.
Studlintsean
08-29-2016, 12:30
I would recommend the Lambert's Meadow Campsite. I camped there this past March and it was quite nice.
JLorenzo77
08-29-2016, 13:11
I would recommend the Lambert's Meadow Campsite. I camped there this past March and it was quite nice.
I will look into that for sure. Thanks!
LittleRock
08-30-2016, 15:29
My buddy and I are booked to hike from McAfee Knob to Troutville on a Friday - Saturday in early October. Looks to be a two day, one night hike of roughly 10 miles per day.
Heading out to do that same hike around that same time - hope to see you out there!
JLorenzo77
08-31-2016, 07:04
Heading out to do that same hike around that same time - hope to see you out there!
That would be awesome LittleRock. If you see two dudes, one who might be struggling with pack weight for the first time, yell out 'Rookie,' and I'll respond. :)
The hike from Tinker Cliff's to Daleville is not easy.
Daleville to Troutville easy
Gambit McCrae
09-06-2016, 08:20
Feed Back:
My game plan for this section was to not pass up a water source. I did from 4 pines to Bear Wallow Wayside On the BRP.
All water sources that are marked as "steady flowers" if you will, were in deed flowing, but were pretty low. Had to use a cup at every source north of Daleville.
Christoph
09-06-2016, 17:22
Headed out soon to go from the Audie Murphy memorial to daleville for a 3 day'r. Going to be a lot of fun.