Access to The Priest area.

[PGH1NC]

Doing a section heading south with two adults much younger than I. It involves the 3K climb up from Tye River. AWOL Guide mentions three possible access points to The Priest: VA 826, ("not easily passable"), Cash Hollow Road, Spy Rock Road.

I was thinking I could take a shuttle and meet them at the Priest or elsewhere in that area. How worthwhile is it considering these access points on the A T. That way they could hike their own pace and we all might be a bit happier. They are very patient, I should mention.

Shuttle suggestions?

Thank you.

[Slo-go'en]

Spy Rock road is pretty rough too, need high clearance vehicle. 4WD is probably a good idea too.

I remember walking that road to Montebello 10 years ago and it was rough then. Which might be your best option. As a hike, it wasn't too bad and is only a couple of miles. Even though you skip the big climb out of the Tye River, that's still a pretty bumpy and strenuous section all the way to Glasgow. But there is one nice stretch along a river after descending from the RT 60 crossing.

[FlyPaper]

Doing a section heading south with two adults much younger than I. It involves the 3K climb up from Tye River. AWOL Guide mentions three possible access points to The Priest: VA 826, ("not easily passable"), Cash Hollow Road, Spy Rock Road.

I was thinking I could take a shuttle and meet them at the Priest or elsewhere in that area. How worthwhile is it considering these access points on the A T. That way they could hike their own pace and we all might be a bit happier. They are very patient, I should mention.

Shuttle suggestions?

Thank you.

I've managed to go up VA 826 twice. Once in my own car (a RAV4 with 2wd) and once in a shuttle, which I don't think had 4wd. I know a guy that took a minivan there also. I wouldn't recommend it with only 2wd though. Too chancy due to any recent weather event.

If you hire a shuttle, make sure they are familiar with the area and are confident they can get you there. You actually would probably stop about 0.5 miles from the top where there is a small parking area.

I don't think you can easily make it up Spy Rock Road in a car either, but you can walk up it from the fish hatchery. It's a good climb. I think only around 900', which is much easier than the Priest.

[jimmyjam]

If you don't want to do the climb from the The river, park at the Fish Hatchery and hike in. Still uphill but not as long.

[Kaptainkriz]

The upper parking of Crabtree Falls is great access point to The Priest - it is a little rough getting up there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJH57tchvjk

Doing a section heading south with two adults much younger than I. It involves the 3K climb up from Tye River. AWOL Guide mentions three possible access points to The Priest: VA 826, ("not easily passable"), Cash Hollow Road, Spy Rock Road.

I was thinking I could take a shuttle and meet them at the Priest or elsewhere in that area. How worthwhile is it considering these access points on the A T. That way they could hike their own pace and we all might be a bit happier. They are very patient, I should mention.

Shuttle suggestions?

Thank you.