MONTEBELLO to HR THIS WEEK

[brancher]

Hi Folks,

My son and I are planning to do a Montebello Hatchery (Priest Wilderness area) to Hanging Rock and back starting tomorrow. Does anybody know anything to watch out for - such as water issues, hunters, washes, etc?

Thanks in advance.

[jlb2012]

nothing in particular - recommend blaze orange / high viz clothing / nothing white

one heck of a section to yoyo however - going up to Spy Rock, down the Priest, up Three Ridges, and then reverse is a butt kicker

[johnnybgood]

Great section with an awesome views.
With the leaves down covering the trail be careful because this section has some steep descents.

Lots of elevation changes , a butt kicker for sure.

Water shouldn't be a problem either.

[brancher]

Thanks, Guys.... Yeah, I am expecting some quad burn this weekend, but we are both looking forward to it. I haven't been out there in over a year (work), and this will be a good barometer for me to think about training, etc, for my intended thru this spring when I retire .

Weather should be good thru Saturday night. Looking forward to it.

[DripDry]

We were out there a couple of weeks ago (Cow Camp Gap to the Priest and back). Saw a couple of folks who looked to be hunting, although they also looked like they didn't want anybody to know about it. I would definately wear orange just to be safe. Water was fine in the sections we hiked.
I would agree NOBO up Three Ridges and then back SOBO up the Priest will be a good cardiac stress test. Have you done this section before? That is a heck of a YoYo.
Lots of folks out near the Priest at the top of Crabtree Falls and around Spy Rock when we went through.

[brancher]

We were out there a couple of weeks ago (Cow Camp Gap to the Priest and back). Saw a couple of folks who looked to be hunting, although they also looked like they didn't want anybody to know about it. I would definately wear orange just to be safe. Water was fine in the sections we hiked.
I would agree NOBO up Three Ridges and then back SOBO up the Priest will be a good cardiac stress test. Have you done this section before? That is a heck of a YoYo.
Lots of folks out near the Priest at the top of Crabtree Falls and around Spy Rock when we went through.

Well, we did Plum Orchard shelter to Montebello a couple of years ago, and last year we did the Triple Crown - Dragon's Tooth to Tinker across the road and back in a circuit (now THAT's a ball-buster). I've also done all of GA and some of NC (up to Fontana or so), and a few snippits of VA. Hope to finish this summer if all goes well and my knees hold up.

br

[Jeff]

Call the folks (Earl and Lois) at Dutch Haus in Montebello. They can shuttle you so there is no out and back. Here is their website:

www.dutchhaus.com

[Avalanche1]

Dutch Haus is a great hostel, very neat and Earl and Lois are terrific. Find out if they still have the free delicious lunch.

[brancher]

I just called, they are not answering their phone, and the web site says 'closed until spring.' I left a voice mail, but I am not too hopeful they will be available. Any other ideas? Ideally, we'd like to leave the car at Montebello and be picked up at Reed's Gap (or leave our truck at Reed's and ride to Montebello). Either way. If I can swing that, then I could do a one-way and not backtrack.

[Jeff]

Here is the list of shuttle providers from the ATC website:

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/docs...%207-29-11.pdf

[Blissful]

It is hunting season so you must wear blaze orange.

[Blissful]

one heck of a section to yoyo however - going up to Spy Rock, down the Priest, up Three Ridges, and then reverse is a butt kicker

Very difficult. Unless you are hiking regularly, this is tough tough stuff.

[Blissful]

Well, we did Plum Orchard shelter to Montebello a couple of years ago, and last year we did the Triple Crown - Dragon's Tooth to Tinker across the road and back in a circuit (now THAT's a ball-buster). I've also done all of GA and some of NC (up to Fontana or so), and a few snippits of VA. Hope to finish this summer if all goes well and my knees hold up.

br

Your knees will hurt on this section...