View Full Version : Daleville to Rockfish Gap info
So my plan is to drive up Sat. 5/25 and hike to Rockfish Gap in 7 to 8 days. Any info from the WB friends local to that area sights to see places to stay etc. Thanks in advance
johnnybgood
05-20-2013, 20:36
* Homeplace--An AYCE you must visit on your return trip. drive 20 miles south of Daleville to Catawba,Va., VA.311 . open sat till 8, sun till 6p.
* Dutch Haus-- is a B&B that serves delicious meals near Montebello, only 2.5 mi.from the trail.www.dutchhaus.com/ (http://www.dutchhaus.com/)
The AT Guide by "AWOL" DAVID Miller will be helpful with the highlights on the AT itself including : lets try going north this time. Crabtree Falls, a cascading waterfall is a short hitch from the trail. The views from atop Three Ridges, in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Southerner
05-20-2013, 21:20
Cool Sites & Sights on your section:
Blue Ridge Parkway: Several trail crossings, often at overlooks. The overlooks typically have superb views and trash cans and about 50% have picnic tables. Also a great place to sharpen your Yogi'ing skills...
Jennings Creek: Great swimming hole and camping area (near a road, so subject to local partiers).
Bryants Ridge Shelter: A cool, three-tiered shelter (if you like shelters).
Black Rock: Modest views toward the Great Valley on a clear day.
Apple Orchard Falls: Cool waterfall if the water flow is high. The falls, along with the 1.8 miles (each way) down and up, are quite skip-able otherwise.
Apple Orchard Mountain: Good views to the west, golf ball-shaped FAA tower at the summit. The Guillotine is just north of the summit.
Devil's Marbleyard: 1.5 miles trail-west using the Belfast Trail. A giant talus slope with house-sized boulders. Unless it's rainy, I would say it's worth the diversion.
James River: The trail goes along the south bank for a mile with impressive rock formations along the way. The trail crosses the river on the James River Foot Bridge, the longest foot-traffic only bridge on the AT. Locals swim and jump into the river from the south end of the bridge (though the USFS now has made the jumping part illegal). The river is powerful and deep there, so be careful swimming.
Big & Little Rocky Rows: Superb views looking back down on the James River. The best single viewpoint is at Little Rocky Row, but Big Rocky Row has a semi-cliffline that goes off and on for about a half-mile.
Bluff Mountain: Great views from the old fire tower site, site of Ottie Hill's memorial.
Brown Mountain Creek: Bold mountain stream with several good swimming / wading holes between Lynchburg Reservoir and the shelter.
Bald Knob: The mountain that will make you curse anyone who told you Virginia is an easy state on the trail.
Cold Mountain: "Bald" ridge (i.e. mowed) with perhaps the best views on your section.
Tar Jacket Ridge: Smaller version of Cold Mountain, lots of ups and downs.
Montebello: Cool mountain village about 2 miles trail-west at the Fish Hatchery Road. Dutch Haus (mentioned above).
Spy Rock: Awesome rock dome just trail-east. About 270-degree views (Maintop Mtn. blocks part of the view north).
Crabtree Falls: About 1.5 miles trail-west, worth the diversion if you like waterfalls and the water flow is strong.
The Priest: Modest views, notorious among SOBOs for its 4.5-mile, 3,000-ft. climb, and something like 57 switchbacks. Confess your hiker sins in the shelter register (though as practical legal advice you may not want to confess to having done anything illegal).
Tye River: Nice mountain stream.
Three Ridges: You will think of new, improved curses for anyone who told you Virginia is the easiest state on the trail. Dramatic views from the top, though.
Humpback Rocks: 0.2 miles trail-west, definitely worth the diversion. Striking views toward the west, and good views to the east (you can see Charlottesville for instance).
I am sure others will have many more to add, but these are the highlight of highlights. Have a great hike!
Celebrate the completion of your hike at Blue Mt, Wild Wolf ,or Devil's Backbone microbreweries- Listed north to south along Rt 151, which is east of the trail at the base of the mountains, between Reeds Gap and Rockfish Gap. Blue Ridge Pig in Nellysford is also worthwhile.
mtntopper
05-21-2013, 02:31
And then after you have seen and done all of that return to Gastonia and have yourself some burgers from R O's restaurant.............Hmmmmmmmmm good
Thanks for all the great info
Just did that exact hike, but north to south. It was pretty chilly most of the time, but because of that there were still plenty of wildflowers to admire -- entire mountainsides of blooming trilliums and may apples not yet in bloom, among many others. If you get good weather, the views will be spectacular. Southerner's post hits the high points. (I didn't find the southbound ascent of The Priest bad at all, by the way. Maybe because I did in on a cool, misty, mysterious morning.)
Weather reports look pretty good right now, but who trust weathermen. The laurel is blooming in this area. Looking forward to some great sights.