AT Section Spotlight: McAfee Knob & Tinker Cliffs
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- Опубликовано: 22 ноя 2016
- I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2015 and aim to accomplish the PCT next year! I hope to encourage folks get out on the trail and enjoy nature. Thanks for following :)
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This is the most iconic hike on the whole AT in my opinion. VA 311 to Daleville. 20 miles. One overnight and you can do it!
Mile markers are about 2 miles off this year per Farout, ex the parking at 311 in Catawba is at 710.5, and MCafee Knob is at 714.2 this year. Mileage can change every year just in case someone (like me) is section hiking this area this weekend and came across this great video!
Did this very hike last week. We went south from Daleville to the McAfee Knob parking lot. We stayed at the Lambert Meadow campground and there was plenty of water in the stream next to the site. Tinker Cliffs were incredible as was McAfee Knob. Thanks Dixie for recommending this hike. I would also recommend the BBQ at GP's in Daleville across the street from the Howard Johnsons!
Great idea to highlight trail sections. Lots og dood information. Please continue with these as it points up the fact that the AT isn't just for thru-hikers.
Absolutely! Thanks for the feedback, John.
Homemade Wanderlust you can see my friends house from the cliff lol if you ever do it again and want to stay a night or something you should stay in Salem it's a really nice small city right next to it
I used to live just 3 miles down the road from the 708 parking area. At the time I had a German Shepherd/ Lab. Puppy that needed plenty of exercise and I took him on that stretch 2-3 times a week. I will always cherish those times and want to go back and spread his ashes there. Thank you for all of your videos. I'm getting great info from them.
Hiking from Woody Gap to Cowrock Mountain starting at mile 20ish in Georgia is a really fun overnight trip. You get beautiful views from Blood and Cowrock.
I resupplied my wife on her VA section hike in 2016. Hiked from 311 to Lambert Shelter and met her. At 5 am got going to Mac Afee . Hit it just right on a bright sunrise. One of the best in all of my trail experiences.
I took my daughter on this very section in May 2015. We hiked south from Daleville to the parking area mentioned just past McAfee Knob. I think hiking south is little easier plus gave us the great views to look forward to at Tinker Cliffs and McAfee Knob. This was my daughter's first ever backpacking trip and she really enjoyed it. We did in over two nights/three days and took our time doing roughly 6 miles, 10 miles and 4 miles on the the last day to make the experience more about the scenery than the miles. Very beautiful section of the AT, this a great recommendation from Homemade Wanderlust.
Nice! I enjoyed the recap and the parking and shuttle information was great to know. I look forward to more of these highlights from the trail! Keep em coming.
Just did McAfee Knob Thursday awesome hike and amazing view - Love your channel so far I have did like 6 hikes this year, Great Inspiration and Gear reviews on your channel!!!
I've done the 27 mile route, started the first day late after the sunset and tried to just make it to the first shelter in the dark. Somewhere along the way we accidentally got off the trail on to a fire road and hiked for about an hour looking for the shelter and almost made it all the way to the knob so we turned back and stealth camped off the road. Really confusing at the time but a funny memory to look back on! This is definitely a beautiful section and great to do in the fall time with the color of the leaves and walking through all the fallen leaves!
Yes, these section videos are full of great info. Please keep them coming.
Great! Thank you :)
Love that you are providing this info for us day and section hikers. Thanks!!!!
Love this! I did my first backpacking trip on this section last summer. It was awesome. Please keep these updates coming. This concept is great.
Thank you! I will keep them coming :)
Fun video! Fun also to scan the comments of this "Dixie Club." It's a psych up for the great adventures yet to come. Thanks for the map work and the highlight photos. I look forward to the next installment. :)
Great video ! That is a beautiful area and the view from Mcafee Knob is spectacular. The Super 8 across the street from the Howard Johnson.offers a hiker rate and parking if you are planning on staying there after a section hike (NB inserting in Catawba). They do have laundry machines. The mexican joint in the parking lot is still closed. In Daleville if you hike up 220 a bit on your left (.3mi) there is a Three pigs BBQ (good joint) and is in a strip mall with a grocery store and an ABC store for those who like to imbibe. This was also close to the home (Fincastle) of the absolutely best shuttle in Central VA. Delwood Schechterly who passed in Oct. 2015 RIP. If hiking at night to Lambert's Meadow Shelter it is easy to miss. Thanks for sharing !
WONDERFUL! Thanks for all the detailed info. So happy folks are willing to share to help others :)
Great vid Dixie. These types of vids are perfect for us weekend warriors looking to explore sections of the trail. I am escaping to silers bald this weekend for some adventure. Happy thanksgiving and as always, thank you for sharing. 👍😊
That's wonderful! How was it? Hope you had a happy turkey day as well :)
It was awesome but hiked out in heavy smoke Sunday. Chimney tops was on fire and you have seen the devastation. Made a GoPro quik vid on my channel if you want to check it out. Need to learn how to use proper editing software. Had a great turkey day. Looks like you did too. Take care.
Super great video. We just did that hike a couple weeks ago and captured the sunrise at McAfee Knob and put all the pictures up for free download since everyone can't get out and hike but still enjoy the views. Keep up the great work. Paul
So sweet of you! It's gorgeous out there :)
Thanks for the video! My kids and I did the McAfee Knob day hike and we loved it. It was tough for inexperienced hikers, but it was so well worth it. I know I plan on doing it again some day. Excellent information and I hope you keep highlighting portions of the AT that we can do. Love your videos!
My backyard!!! So, you can park at Dragon's Tooth parking lot on Rt 311 also, probably better than accessing the AT on Newport Rd (since there's no parking on Newport Rd) - Dragon's Tooth parking is a little further out 311 from McAfee's parking, on the left. There's also a loop for the triple crown, if you want to make it a 3-day trip (2 if you're super fit and ambitious). It takes a little research to know where to go because it's easy to get lost once you leave the AT, but if you park at McAfee's, head north on the AT, hit the knob and Tinker Cliffs, then after the cliffs you'll head west off the ridge on the Andy Layne trail (blazed yellow) and go down into the valley west of the ridge. Cross a nice sized stream at the bottom (McAfee Creek), then continue up the other side of the valley to the top of North Mountain. Once up there you'll head south on North Mtn trail and that will spit you out on 311 across the road from the Dragon's Tooth parking lot. Climb up to the top of Dragon's Tooth, then you can pick up the AT again and head north and finish up at your car at McAfee's Knob parking lot. Then stop by The Homeplace on your way out and demolish some fried chicken. The loop described above is about 35-37 miles total (I've seen both measurements posted, but I've never measured it myself). You can cover McAfee's and Tinker Cliffs on day 1, overnight at Lambert's shelter, then do Andy Layne and up to North Mtn on day 2 (strenuous climb up to North Mtn trail), overnight somewhere along along North Mtn trail for night 2, and day 3 hit Dragon's Tooth and the rest of the AT back to your car.
I had just been thinking of doing this section sometime in 2017, so thank you for posting. I've enjoyed catching up on your thru hike posts as well - very informative and inspirational. I hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
Great piece Dixie! Fun Fact...on the aerial view of the 311 parking area there is a house just about under the "/" of Entrance / Exit 2 that my daughter and her husband rented for several months in 2014/2015. I was so envious that they got to live there. Alas, I didn't get a chance to visit while they were there. I hope to thru-hike (tentative 2020) and appreciate the great info and inspiration. Thanks and good luck on the PCT!
Brickyard Bum
Doing the triple crown loop in early April. Pretty stoked! Thanks for all of your info
I did this just like she designed it last September. Great hike!
Did the VA Triple Crown last week, such a beautiful area to hike
Love the line "Listen to the critters." 8:04
Happy Thanksgiving Dixie and all the other US subscribers.
hiked the triple crown last week. loved it
i have a picture of my wife on McAfee's Knob as my wallpaper - definitely a memorable section of the AT!
Aww, how sweet! Yes, it is so beautiful out there.
Thank you for this video. The information is solid! You are the best!
Awesome, glad you found it helpful! :)
Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge! 👍🏻
Thank you :)
Thank you. I really liked hearing about a section of the trail, including the day hike. I hope you will do more, especially in New England..
Great! Thank you for the feedback.
Great Dixie. I've been using AWOL 2016 to find great hikes and views along the AT. I'm from NYC and heading to Harpers Ferry this weekend. I always Love McAfee photos and plan to get there sometime soon. You always provide great info. Happy Thanksgiving to all you fellow subscribers out there!!!
Awesome! I love the AT Guide and they haven't paid me to say that, haha. How was Harpers? I liked that town :) Happy Late Turkey Day back at ya.
Great suggestion for a section hike!
Thanks!
Great information and great video Jessica! Thanks! I may have to do that one week this spring.
That would be great! Come back and tell us how you liked it if you do it :)
You would be able to see the highlights on my channel and indeed it would be a blast. Thanks for sharing it with us...
Lots of great info! Thanks!
Thank you!
Beautiful images!
Thank you! I like taking pictures :) Took them all with my phone. I have more on the blog:
www.homemadewanderlust.com
Good info on this video. I also liked the way your dog was keeping guard! :-)
Haha, always ;)
Visited McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs twice this fall. I agree with you that it's probably one of the most beautiful sections on the AT. I did it as part of the VA triple crown which also includes Dragon's Tooth. There's a way you can do it as a 34 mile loop by taking the North Mountain ridge trail. Mcafee is quite popular and can get very crowded. Tinker cliffs is much less so due to being farther out to get to. Have you done other hikes in the VA, WV, MD area? What did you think of Shenandoah?
Thanks! I prefer to do loops when I can. Biggest reason I get out hiking is so I can rely on myself and do the me thing. I'll try to do the loop this year. Thanks again!
Thank you, Dixie! I have wished for this for years! DH and I work demanding jobs and only get a couple of weeks during the summer to hike. We usually do some short sections. I can't wait to see your recommendations!
Awesome! Glad to hear :)
Great recommendation. One of my favorite spots. We did a long weekend and checked out McAfee Knob and then spent a night at Grayson Highlands.
I LOVE the Grayson Highlands area!
What is your favorite spot in the Southern portion...say between Springer and Virginia? I guess you'll probably do a video maybe at some point :)
I'd have to list Roan Highlands as one of the best areas
Awesome! I did a 2 week trip zig-zag'n around a few weeks ago. McAfee Knob was one of the days. Started at VA311. Went passed to pig farm camp (almost right next to Campbell Shelter) then hiked back up in the morning for sunrise. Is absolutely the most beautiful and jaw-dropping sunrise i have seen and will likely ever see.
Wasn't much water then at end of September (think 27th?). I guess there was suppose to be a spring at Catawba Mountain Shelter - it was dry and there was a sign at the shelter saying so. Didn't check Johns Spring Shelter. Pig Farm and Campbell shared a water source and it was barely a trickle. Took me about a half hour to get little under a half liter.... That sunrise tho... made it all worth it!
I wanted to see sunrise there but it was raining :( Happy you got to enjoy it, though! Thanks for the info :)
I did this section a couple of years ago and loved it. Btw, tinker cliffs can also be done as a day hike by coming up the Andy Lane trail located on VA 779 just outside of Catawba. Andy Lane trail takes you up to the AT at scorched earth gap. From there head south on the AT and the cliffs begin in less than a mile.
Awesome! Thank you for the input. I'm sure others will find that helpful :D
Awesome! Thank you for the input. I'm sure others will find that helpful :D
Very informative,Good work..
Thank you!
I bet people worry about that ledge breaking off when they sit on it. That's silly though since obviously it wouldn't break until I sat there.
Might as well make it a triple crown and hit dragon's tooth too while you're there
Good call!
Ian Frye
I am getting ready to do the triple Crown this weekend and was hoping you could answer in time… how many miles from McAfee Knob to Tinker cliffs? Is it 8?
5.1 miles
i live near there and done 20 (RT 220 to 311) and 45 mil (RT 621 to 220) and some up north of there ( Apple Orchard falls) and (Devils Marbleyard). I do this ones a year. 12.22.16.5.38p
What map do you recommend buying when hiking the AT?
Hey Dixie, I have been following your videos for quite a while. My question to you: I'm planning a backpacking trip starting in Daleville and ending in Pearisburg, about 93 miles. Wanted to take 2 weeks in doing this, because I don't want to hike more then 7 miles a day. In doing this, we would have to camp along the trail in places and not in shelters. My questions: 1. You think there are plenty of places to stealth camp along the trail? 2: Thinking April as the month there to view magnolias in bloom, will that happen? Do you feel this 94 mile section is something to really enjoy? Ending in Pearisburg, because it has a car rental to drive back to Roanoke. I live in Salt Lake City, and hiked the NY/NJ section last Summer and want to do another section of the AT. Thanks Dixie, for any information. Hiker Steve from Utah.
Hi I'm a fellow Alabamian (Decatur) and I'm planning on doing this section in July with a friend. Thinking about going to see dragon's tooth also, did you go see it? What did you think of it?
Hey ! I'm "Hat " Great video woohoo . I live in Roanoke and it's a great part of the trail . If anybody is a ham there are awesome repeaters around that whole area
146.985 107.2
146.805 107.2
146.880 107.2 are the most used
Thanks.... :)
Hey, Ive been watching your videos for a while and was wondering if you could provide some info on how hiking the AT is for someone with a fear of heights. I have done a lot of Virginia (not this particular section) all of Maryland, and a little bit of PA. So was just curious as to your take on the subject, any info would be great. And thanks....
Great idea!
Hey there! I would love to give you that perspective except I'm not afraid of heights. I'm sure there have been thru-hikers who were afraid of heights in the past, but I haven't had that particular conversation. Interesting idea, though. There are some areas that were a little nerve wracking--especially Mt. Katahdin, but for the most part you aren't dangling from any ledges unless you choose to. I hope that helps!
It's a good question. I follow Will Wood on youtube and he talks about certain sections on the AT being quite scary for people if they have a fear of heights.
Good question for sure. I just don't know the answer! I never felt as if I was going to fall off a ledge that I didn't walk out to on my own. Even on tinker cliffs/mcafee knob you aren't right on the edge unless you choose to be. The only place I really remember being stressful at all was Katahdin. That's probably because it was iced over. Maybe Will has better insight from also having a fear of heights or hiking around other who did? Not sure! Maybe someone who has thru-hiked and has a fear of heights can speak to this comment?
Actually, there are a couple of pretty steep areas in the White Mountains that made me a little nervous also..and one spot in northern PA. But it's not like you're continuously on edge. I would guess that someone who is afraid of heights would not be fearful the majority of their thru-hike. It might even help them face it, honestly. Again, I don't KNOW that, though. Just my best guess.
Hey Dixie, can you do a video about slack packing? I'm a little unclear about it. Do you knock out blazes on the trail and then hitch back to get your gear and then hitch back to the place you stopped so you can pick your hike back up with full gear? Thanks LOVE your videos! Your videos are gonna cause the NOBO bubble to swell by 1000 hikers in the next couple of years! LOL!
I am trying to convert everyone into a section or thru-hiker, haha. I have put "slack packing" on the list of video ideas--thanks for the suggestion! To answer your question, there are several ways to slack. The idea is to not have your full weight load to allow yourself an easier day of hiking. It is more common in difficult terrain, but most hikers are willing to lighten their load anytime. The only two times I slack packed was when I was already set to stay in town for the night and was not planning to camp on trail. Once was in Pennsylvania when several of us were crashing with Rebel Yell and his family. His dad dropped us off in the morning and picked us up in the afternoon. We did this until we were pushing an hour radius or so. Then we set off with our full load again. While slack packing, I only toted snacks, water/filter, and extra clothes (when it was colder). That's pretty much it! I slacked again in vermont when I stayed at a hostel for two nights. Hope this helps!
Sad that The Home Place Restaurant has since closed...
Hello again Dixie! Could you maybe do a video on Stealth Camping, where its allowed and the pros and cons of Stealth Camping?
Hey there, Harley! It's pretty much "allowed" anywhere. There are a few sections that prohibit it...but the AT Guide lists those. I will add it to my video idea list, though! As far as pros vs. cons... I would recommend staying at a designated spot over planning to stealth as staying at a designated camping area lessens impact on the environment. Also, designated areas typically have water sources and most shelters have privies. I usually only stealth when I'm exhausted and fall short of my goal. I hope that helps!
which 2 mile markwr exits give you a 27 mile hike
and would you suggest going northbound or southbound
At 0:36 ...enter dog nuzzle on the left
What about hammocking spots?
Loved this area day hiked it last spring. Sunrise at McAfee- cool. Our family hiked Grayson Highland-Massie Gap to Dumascus. We had a blast (Wild Horses!) Our Video : ruclips.net/video/YMTurUxU7M4/видео.html
I live like 30 minutes from McAfee!
Nice!
If you're a vegetarian avoid The Home Place. Unless you want to eat a plate of mashed potato's. It's the only thing without meat in it. Although you are always traditionally welcome to crash in any of the gazebos, or pitch in the grass.
Thank you for sharing that! Because I eat meat, I rarely notice this angle. Others who may have wondered about that will now have an answer :)
just hiked the Triple Crown. AVOID NORTH MOUNTAIN ! that all
The difference in mile points in guide books each year is due to trail relocations.
Yep!
(App uh latch un ) trail
Hey ! I'm "Hat " Great video woohoo . I live in Roanoke and it's a great part of the trail . If anybody is a ham there are awesome repeaters around that whole area
146.985 107.2
146.805 107.2
146.880 107.2 are the most used