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  1. #1
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    Default Pearisburg to Daleville trip report

    Hey everyone!
    Just returned from my latest section from Pearisburg to Daleville 4/23-4/28. Overall a really beautiful section with a mixture of some long ridge walks and some good climbs thrown in!
    -Rained on me for the first 3 days, so water was not an issue anywhere in this section. In fact, the trail was more of a river in places than a trail!
    -Day 1 Pearisburg to Rice Field Shelter 6.3 mi
    Got a shuttle from Don Raines, highly recommend his service. Right on time, and a great conversationalist to boot. Started around 1, at the shelter by 4. Piece of cake! Beautiful views from the field in front
    of the shelter. Many early NOBOs coming through.

    -Day 2 Rice Field to Bailey Gap 16.5 mi
    Rainy day, LOTS of water along (and on) the trail through here. Last climb up to the shelter was soul crushing at the end of the day! Thought it was just me, but all the thrus were talking about it as well!

    -Day 3 Bailey Gap to Laurel Creek 14.6 mi
    Another Rainy day, very sloggy trail. Beautiful shelter setting.

    -Day 4 Laurel Creek to Pickle Branch 22.5 mi
    What was I thinking pulling of this many miles today! Beautiful hike, treadway very rough between Sarver and Niday, but improved DRAMATICALLY after Niday! Well graded trail. Pickle Branch is
    an absolutely gorgeous setting! The side trail has multiple camping opportunities in a mixture of field and pine.

    -Day 5 Pickle Branch to Catawba 14.6 mi
    The treadway was a dream in the first part of this section. The climbs were awesomely graded with long sweeping switchbacks to make you barely realize the elevation youve gained. Saw a bear about
    a half mile from the Dragons tooth! Coming down the Dragons tooth is a Doozy! Be prepared to slow WAY down coming down! Climb up to Catawba continued the great treadway trend with an easy
    climb up to the shelter. Great water source right before the shelter on the AT.

    -Day 6 Catawba to Daleville 17.8 mi
    What can I say to explain McAfee Knob? Absolutely stunning views from up top, got up there early and only saw a few people including Danger, a former thru who so kindly took my picture on the
    diving board and gave me some clementines! Next was Tinker Cliffs, very beautiful but also very crowded by this time. The rest of the hike to Daleville provided ridge walking and occasional views of Carvin
    Cove reservoir. Emerged from the woods at Valley Cleaners who so kindly allowed me to park my vehicle there. Got a room at Howard Johnsons, they were exceptionally friendly! And you MUST get beers
    and bbq at 3 Little Pigs! Soooo good!

  2. #2
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    Default

    You got through McAfee Knob at the perfect time, since the area was closed starting yesterday due to the fire

  3. #3

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    Great Report!

    Don Raines is always a good call on shuttles in that area.

    Rice Field Shelter is a great spot I wish I could have stayed at, I ended up at the Captains place thru there.
    Trail Miles: 4,980.5
    AT Map 1: Complete 2013-2021
    Sheltowee Trace: Complete 2020-2023
    Pinhoti Trail: Complete 2023-2024
    Foothills Trail: 47.9
    AT Map 2: 279.4
    BMT: 52.7
    CDT: 85.4

  4. #4
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    Hendricks Cty, Indiana
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    Thanks for this report! I plan to hike this same stretch later this year.

  5. #5

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    3 Little Pigs BBQ is a real treat after walking in the woods. Great section there with the VA triple crown.

    Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
    The road to glory cannot be followed with much baggage.
    Richard Ewell, CSA General


  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Astro View Post
    3 Little Pigs BBQ is a real treat after walking in the woods. Great section there with the VA triple crown.

    Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk
    I ate there too. Loved it. I recall reading in one of the trail guides that they had a great beer selection, however I would say they have beer, including a couple local microbrews, but it is far from beer mecca. Still recommended.

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Odd Man Out View Post
    I ate there too. Loved it. I recall reading in one of the trail guides that they had a great beer selection, however I would say they have beer, including a couple local microbrews, but it is far from beer mecca. Still recommended.
    And they give free desert to hikers!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

  8. #8
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    08-14-2011
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    State College, Pennsylvania
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    Awesome! I'm planning to do a section in late May/early June. Bland to Daleville. How far is the Howard Johnson's from the trail?

  9. #9

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    the trail goes right by it at US220

  10. #10
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    05-04-2009
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    Myrtle Beach, SC
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    I'm doing the same section in late June.

    Does anyone know if the trail has been reopened after the fire or when it will be?

  11. #11
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    08-31-2013
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    I am going to be doing this exact section in about a month. What is the camping situation around VA 624? I've seen mentions about camping behind Catawba Grocery or camping behind Four Pines Hostel. The Guthook reviews on Four Pines Hostel are all over the place (either loved it or hated it) and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with either one of these options.
    Remote for detachment, narrow for chosen company, winding for leisure, lonely for contemplation, the Trail beckons not merely north and south, but upward to the body, mind, and soul of man.


  12. #12
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    03-10-2017
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    Quote Originally Posted by PR Man View Post
    I'm doing the same section in late June.

    Does anyone know if the trail has been reopened after the fire or when it will be?
    Via the ATC website, it is open:

    McAfee Knob/Roanoke Area - Trail Has Re-Opened; Caution Advised
    (Updated 5/16/18)A 19.8-mile section of the Appalachian Trail has re-opened in Central Virginia — from VA 311 (mile 709.4 from Springer Mtn., GA) north to US 220 (mile 729.2 from Springer Mtn., GA). It had previously been closed due to a wildfire on Catawba Mountain. Hikers are advised to use caution due to fire-weakened trees.

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