Shakedown Trip #3 – Coming Soon

Now you see why I was finally forced to write up a summary for the last trip. Because Shakedown #3 is happening soon. As in, TODAY. There is not much time before departure, so here’s the quick low-down for our itinerary. (Yes! Danny returns!)

• Day 0 – Friday, August 15, 2014 – Drive out to Crabtree Falls campground and car camp with Jim for the evening.
• Day 1 – Saturday, August 16, 2014 – Drive mine and Danny’s cars to our trip’s end point, Fish Hatchery Rd. Jim will then drive us and drop us off at the trip’s starting point, Reeds Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then we hike approximately 8 miles to Harpers Creek Shelter. The day’s hiking will be some modest ups and downs, ending with a 2000 foot descent.
• Day 2 – Sunday, August 17, 2014 – Second day of hiking, covering approximately 8 miles from Harpers Creek Shelter to The Priest Shelter. The day starts with an additional 1000 foot descent into the Tye River Valley then immediately begins a 3000 foot ascent over 3.5 miles.
• Day 3 – Monday, August 18, 2014 – Final day, hike approximately 6 miles from The Priest Shelter to Fish Hatchery Rd ending the trip.

Here is a quickly thrown together map copied from Google Earth. I used MS Paint to put some labels on there. The Appalachian Trail is the red path. I’ve labeled the Friday night’s campground, Reeds Gap and Our Cars. For context, this entire area is only about 20 miles north of Punchbowl Shelter from the last trip.

Overview of Shakedown Trip #3 Route

If any brave soul wants to drive out – just use Google Maps to get directions to “Crabtree Falls Campground.” Depending on what day you arrive, good luck finding us!!!

I hope to blog this trip in day-by-day fashion like Trip #1 – wish me luck!

Wandering On…

Kelly