VA 623 to Laurel Creek VA 615 | Yaya and Mimi on the AT #60 Section Hiking the Appalachian Trail

#YayaAndMimiOnTheAT #appalachiantrail #sectionhiking
Wytheville, VA section
Pat Jennings Visitor Center to VA 611
66.3 miles, 8 hiking days
Our basecamp was a Vrbo at 1315 Glade Rd in Wytheville, VA
Day one
8.6 miles Northbound
VA 16, Pat Jennings Visitor Center (mile 534.3) to VA 615, Lindamood School and Settlers Museum (mile 542.9)
Day two
4.1 miles Northbound
VA 615, Lindamood School and Settlers Museum (mile 542.9) to VA 617, Davis Cemetery (mile 547.0)
Day three
8.8 miles Northbound
VA 617, Davis Cemetery (mile 547.0) to VA 610 Old Rich Valley Rd (mile 555.8) Both of these trailheads were on paved roads and easy to access. On this day we passed the 1/4 way to Maine sign and it brought me to tears. We really felt our mom cheering us on this whole day.
Day four
9.5 miles Northbound
VA 610 Old Rich Valley Rd (mile 555.8) to VA 625, USFS 222 gravel (mile 565.3). This road is labeled Poor Valley Road. This is not easy to get to. A rough, windy, narrow road with deep ruts and not suitable for low clearance vehicles. It was ironic that the names of the roads were Rich Valley and Poor Valley, because we literally started at Rich Valley with gorgeous, well maintained farm land to Poor Valley with falling down abandoned homes and a poorly maintained road. There is no cell service at these trailheads, so plan accordingly with your shuttles. The uphills in the section were brutal and it was hot. There was trail magic in a cooler on this section full of fresh fruit and home grown marijuana, which was a first. Of course, we did not partake. One of the footbridges were washed out so we got to ford Lick Creek. We were warned about the bridge wash out on the AT guide so we brought water shoes. The cold water felt amazing on our hot feet.
Day five
10.7 miles Southbound
VA 623 (mile 576.0) to VA 625, USFS 222 gravel (mile 565.3) Both of these trailheads were difficult to access. VA 625 is Poor Valley Rd described above, and VA 623 was up narrow and steep switchbacks for miles through lumbering operations. We met a group of thru hikers doing the cake walk marathon challenge by Bear Garden Hostel. The views south of Chestnut Knob Shelter were gorgeous!
Day six
8.9 miles Northbound
VA 623 (mile 576.0) to Laurel Creek, VA 615 gravel (mile 584.9) it was a hot and sunny day, so reaching Laurel Creek at the end of the day was like magic to put our feet in the water. It was Lynette’s last day with us and sitting by the creek for a while was a great ending for her.
Day seven
6.9 miles Northbound
Laurel Creek, VA 615 gravel (mile 584.9) to US 52 North Scenic Hwy Brushy Mountain Outpost (mile 591.8) we started a little earlier to beat the heat and ended at the outpost around lunch.
Day eight
8.8 miles Northbound
US 52 North Scenic Hwy Brushy Mountain Outpost (mile 591.8) to VA 611 (mile 600.6)
We hit the 600 mile marker on our last day and celebrated by going to spend time at the Alpaca Farm