McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 10/18/2024 | AT Mile 1266.8 | Day Total: 21.1 miles | Gain: 4710 ft

Good nights rest last night. No condensation which is a plus. Made some breakfast, packed up and hit the trail. There’s a wayside about 17 miles away that I’m hoping to take a little break at and possibly have an early dinner.

Passed through what appears to be a burn area. They sometimes they do controlled burns here that clear the floor growth.

Not many open views this morning. Climbed over some blowdowns and hiked up and down the ridge. I took a pitstop at the Panorama Parking Area right refill water at the spigot.

Climbed up to Mary’s Rock afterword. It’s a good 1200ft climb with lots of day hikers. I would have taken the side trail to the rock at the top if waves of people weren’t walking to and from it. I had a good view around the corner from some rock cliffs anyway.

I ended up eating lunch at one of the cliff views.

The stunning views continued throughout the rest of the day. I climbed up to the Pinnacle which had particularly good views because it’s the highest I’ve been all day.

I walked through Pinnacle Picnic Grounds which had running water, tables and restrooms.

The views just got betters and the weather has been wonderful! I couldn’t have asked for a better day in the Shenandoahs.

I eventually made it to the wayside and grabbed a table outside next to an outlet to charge up. Kill Bill showed up shortly after. I ordered a burger from the and devoured it on this beautiful day. The burger even came with a pickle!

After the break at the wayside I continued 4.5 miles to Rock Spring Hut. I love the trail through this section because it walked along rock walls on my left and a cliff on the right with the sun shiny through.

Had some wonderful views right before the shelter. The sun is low in the sky now and makes the leaves pop.

I eventually made it to the shelter and there were a couple of weekend hikers here already. I went up the hill a bit to a few tent pads. Most were pretty slanted but I found one with a flat spot. It’s got a good view though the trees into the valley below.

I went down to the shelter to cook a second dinner and grab some water from the spring. There’s a cabin that you can rent that as an amazing view of the sunset. I love being able to see the layers of the ridges in the background. They have a blue hue to them this evening.

After some socializing while I made and ate dinner I put my food in the bear box and headed to my tent. Got word that one of my good friends from college just got engaged!