McAfee Hikes

Date Written: 10/23/2024 | AT Mile 1374.0 | Day Total: 22.6 miles | Gain: 6967 ft

Nobody bothered me last night. Probably not supposed to camp where I was last night but I was getting desperate for a camp. I packed up before I ate breakfast as the sun was rising. I sat on the rock at the overlook while I cooked breakfast. It was beautiful.

I began hiking around 8 and walked though a meadow and soon reached the Three Ridges Wilderness

Had some wonderful views as I made my way up to Three Ridges Mountain. A short spur trail leaded to Hanging Rock Overlook.

The summit of Three Ridges Mountain was wooded with no view. Although there was another marvelous view downhill just after Chimney Rock.

I’m descending 3000 ft into a valley then I’ll go back up 3000ft on the other side. Big elevation day today. It’s more rocky than I expected, kinda feels like I’m back in Pennsylvania.

When I was 3/4 of the way down I passed a large group of day hikers, ~15 people. They were talking with a ranger on the side of the trail. Shortly after I walked over Harper’s Creek which was flowing quite well.

I eventually made it to the bottom of the valley. There’s a large cable bridge across the Tye River. I had lunch just after at Cripple Creek.

I had the long tall climb after lunch. Luckily there’s a water source at the top so I don’t have to carry a ton of water up. I’ve still got a ton of food weight. More than I need.

Lots of yellow leaves on my way up. There were a few small streams that I crossed.

It’s pretty hot today. My thermometer read 80 for a high. My shirt was wetted out within the first few minutes of climbing.

After one of the tallest climbs I’ve done in a while I made it to the top. There were a few views that I passed my on my way up. One of which was facing east into the valley.

The Priest Shelter is at the top and I stopped there to get some water from the spring and take a short break.

I had some views from some ledges as I made my way across the bumpy ridge.

Camp is still 7 miles away but at least it’s not up a mountain. I crossed a few atv roads, campsites and partial views before I got to the shelter.

I got to the shelter just before 6. I decided I’m going to stay in the shelter tonight. I didn’t feel like setting up my tent. The springs flowing quite well!

There’s pretty good service here so I was browsing as I was cooking dinner. I suddenly got a call from Nathan! The BBQ group chat was at the courts playing pickle ball. We talked for nearly an hour and caught up. It’s fun to hear from them on this random evening. Lucky I had my service on. After the call a journaled and crashed in the shelter.