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IGY6
02-21-2020, 23:45
My wife and I are looking into doing an overnight and have heard that the priest is challenging. We're interested in a longer/ 25+ mile hike, one night maybe 2. What is the water situation there? Possible routes (we want the climb), Shuttle or circuit?

Slo-go'en
02-22-2020, 01:02
The Three ridges is the real challenging mountain. The Priest is tame in comparison. But taken together, it's good work out. Harpers Creek Shelter is in a real pretty location.

If you want the climb, start at VA826, go up and over the Priest and go to Harpers Creek ~ 8.5 miles. Then climb the Three Ridges, a 2,000+ foot gain in 3 miles, very rocky and exposed near the top. Then it's a reasonably easy down to Maupin Field shelter or out to the road in another couple of miles.

u.w.
02-22-2020, 13:06
Lots of options in that area.

In my opinion the "climb" of Priest going nobo is super easy (not necessarily a bad thing), and going up Priest sobo is by comparison an actual noticeable climb.

For an overnighter (depending on what you consider an overnighter), you could park one car (and/or get a shuttle)... one car at the Spy Rock Trailhead and Parking Area just off of Spy Rock Rd and right by the Montebello State Fish Hatchery (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Spy+Rock+Trailhead+and+parking+area/@37.843124,-79.1309126,17z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x3caf8b7564c57d42!2sMont ebello+State+Fish+Hatchery!8m2!3d37.8445982!4d-79.1302045!3m4!1s0x89b34757e60f6a37:0xe5af88eb0930 7b46!8m2!3d37.8419107!4d-79.1312204), and park the other (and/or shuttle) at where the AT hits the Blue Ridge Parkway, just after Maupin Field Shelter & Three Ridges. That trailhead parking area is at Reed's Gap, where 664 intersects the Blue Ridge Parkway. (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Three+Ridges+Hike/@37.9016312,-78.9939898,15z/data=!4m12!1m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x84d606f38133f8c1!2sThre e+Ridges+Wilderness!8m2!3d37.8636816!4d-78.9929981!3m4!1s0x0:0x1bd9c9b2f5437a0a!8m2!3d37.9 016312!4d-78.9852351) If you go from the Spy Rock trailhead to Reeds Gap you'll be going nobo on the AT and have a very easy climb of the Priest, but you'll get the Three Ridges. If you go from Reeds Gap to Spy Rock (the other way / sobo) Three Ridges is a lot easier, but you'll have the harder side of the Priest. Some epic views between these two parking spots/trail heads, and one of many great areas to hike in VA.
Enjoy your time on trail,

willin'

RockDoc
02-22-2020, 13:17
I thought the SOBO climb of the Priest was no real problem, and we did it at the end of a long day. Heavily switchbacked. Nice view at the top.

u.w.
02-22-2020, 13:36
I agree with you. Sobo up Priest is "no real problem". I'm only saying that I thought nobo up Priest, was easier than sobo.
If I somehow implied sobo was a "real problem", that wasn't my intent.

That said, "hard climb", and/or "no real problem" is subjective, and can also be relative to what it's being compared to.

willin'

IGY6
02-22-2020, 15:27
thanks for the info. do you have the mileage and if there is a spring/good water source at the shelter?

Slo-go'en
02-22-2020, 17:18
There is a raging river at the shelter.

globetruck
02-22-2020, 18:50
Latest Guthook review (2/3/20) “water flow is good. Still need a scoop.”


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

u.w.
02-23-2020, 09:18
By "raging river", Slo-go'en means a great flowing pit spring behind the shelter (Priest shelter) - excellent water source.

As for any distances, here is a link: to the AT distance calculator page. (https://www.atdist.com/) Find the points/places your plan to hike to/from and select them, one from each column, to get trail distances.

willin'

JNI64
02-23-2020, 09:44
By "raging river", Slo-go'en means a great flowing pit spring behind the shelter (Priest shelter) - excellent water source.

As for any distances, here is a link: to the AT distance calculator page. (https://www.atdist.com/) Find the points/places your plan to hike to/from and select them, one from each column, to get trail distances.

willin'

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's where the priest baptize and all sins are forgotten. So you'll better wait until next morning on your way out. :sun

Slo-go'en
02-23-2020, 10:42
No, I was referring to Harpers Creek shelter. I don't know what kind of water the Priest shelter has, I walked by it without stopping.

JPritch
02-23-2020, 21:07
SOBO Priest is 3K' gain in 4 miles. That's legit.

If you really want the climb OP:
- go NOBO from Crabtree Falls parking or Fish Hatchery Road
- proceed up and over the Priest the easy way
- cross rt56 and go up Three Ridges NOBO
- connect to the Mau Har
- intersect the AT going back SOBO down Three Ridges and up the Priest the hard way, back to your car.

This is a lollipop route that's gonna provide roughly 8k' gain in 30 miles, great camping, and some awesome views.

TNhiker
02-23-2020, 21:43
No, I was referring to Harpers Creek shelter. I don't know what kind of water the Priest shelter has, I walked by it without stopping.



is there a raging river at harpers?

i know there is one at the road crossing between the priest and three ridges, and that’s
still a mile or so before shelter...

my memory is that at harpers shelter there was a small creek....

but I could be wrong...

IGY6
02-23-2020, 22:26
@JPritch , thanks that sounds exactly like what I was looking for. planning trip now. we will be doing the triple crown March 6 then bringing some friends out at the end of March for this, thanks again.

Slo-go'en
02-23-2020, 22:52
is there a raging river at harpers?

i know there is one at the road crossing between the priest and three ridges, and that’s
still a mile or so before shelter...

my memory is that at harpers shelter there was a small creek....

but I could be wrong...

Depends on when you get there. Early May in a wet year, it was raging pretty good. I imagine it is now too.

TNhiker
02-24-2020, 00:38
Depends on when you get there. Early May in a wet year, it was raging pretty good. I imagine it is now too.




ahhhh.....

i believe i went in august....

cant remember though....

but, i would (looking at pictures on the net) call that a creek rather than a river......

especially compared to the crossing at tye river in that area.....

u.w.
02-24-2020, 19:47
@JPritch , thanks that sounds exactly like what I was looking for. planning trip now. we will be doing the triple crown March 6 then bringing some friends out at the end of March for this, thanks again.

Excellent! Enjoy your hike(s)!
Do you have good info/gouge on the Triple Crown loop hike? I did that hike a bit ago and took notes. I'm happy to share

willin'

IGY6
02-24-2020, 21:14
we're open to recommendations. we were planning on doing the north mountain section first so we can get the dry section out of the way first.

u.w.
02-25-2020, 17:06
I'm not necessarily one to make or give recommendations, but am happy to share and and all the info I have on the hike after doing it.
I just sent you a PM with all my notes. I hope yall have great weather, and a super great hike when you go!

willin'

IGY6
02-25-2020, 17:29
@u.w. thanks alot for all the info, we definitely appreciate it. We will be doing triple crown on March 6&7. Then doing the priest/three ridges the weekend of March 21.