The Virginia Triple Crown: Practical Tips for Planning A Trip
Endless internet resources abound...
…but now that you’ve read my account, here’s some stuff I’d recommend or do differently.
The full loop, like we did, is doable in less than 3 days by very strong hikers. We did it in about 2.5 days, perhaps overextending ourselves in the heat on the second day. The trail description is “hard” and it is recommended for experienced hikers. I actually think this loop could be a good beginners backpacker loop—IF you budget more time. The tricky parts are the camping restrictions along the AT corridor. If the full 30-something mile loop is your aim, here are some suggestions:
Day 1: Arrive late afternoon and park at the Andy Lane Trailhead, like we did. Hike up Catawba Creek Trail to North Mountain Trail and turn left. Hike several miles before dark, then grab one of the fantastic campsites and enjoy a private, cozy night up on the ridge.
Day 2: Get up early and book it to the road crossing. Your goal today is to get to Lost Spectacles Gap and claim a campsite early. Slack pack up Dragon’s Tooth then return to your campsite. You’ll be close enough to the road for a mini-resupply from the gas station if you really want it. Hang out in camp and socialize with all the day hikers, boy scouts, and other weekenders who pass through.
Day 3: This is probably going to be the longest day. Camel up for your haul to McAfee Knob parking lot. Continue onward and try to get a spot in either Catawba Mountain Shelter or Campbell’s Creek Shelter. A spot at Pig Farm campsite also works. These are the designated campsites closest to McAfee Knob and make an ideal base from which to catch either the sunset or sunrise from “the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail”.
Day 4: Leave camp and meander over to Tinker Cliff’s. The trail from McAfee Knob to Tinker has a few memorable ups and downs, but on a whole this stretch isn’t awful. If you can get to Tinker Cliff around noon, it’s an excellent lunch spot. Then it’s downhill back to your car via the Andy Lane Trail.
This itinerary, with a more leisurely pace, makes the trip more manageable for beginner backpackers. However, if you really must complete the VA Triple Crown within a traditional weekend, I think the point-to-point option is your best bet. This option deletes the North Mountain Trail. While I’d argue the North Mountain Trail isn’t “the worst part” of the VA Triple Crown, it can certainly be sacrificed for expediency.
Unlike AllTrails, all of the directions I’m recommending take you down the Andy Lane Trailhead from Tinker Cliffs. Trust me, you do not want to walk UP to Tinker Cliff’s from the Andy Lane Trailhead if you can help it.
Day 1: Park at Andy Lane Trailhead and take a pre-arranged shuttle to the Dragon’s Tooth Trailhead. Hike up to Lost Spectacles Gap and slack-pack Dragon’s Tooth. Return to Lost Spectacles Gap and spend the night.
Day 2: Get up early and hike from Lost Spectacles to McAfee Knob. Stay at one of the nearby shelters or designated campsites nearby.
Day 3: Hike to Tinker Cliffs and return to your waiting vehicle at the Andy Lane Trailhead.
Keep in mind, this is an extremely busy section of the AT. If you’re really craving solitude and a wilderness experience, this really isn’t the route to achieve those goals. We had cell service pretty much the entire time, another plus for beginners because you have the security of easily checking in with family or friends, accessing help, or downloading a movie to watch in your tent if you get a little freaked out and need a distraction.
The different regulations about camping are weirdly a benefit too. You can get practice accessing resources to figure out where you’re allowed to camp and also practice leave no trace. You’ll probably also observe some blatant disregard for leave no trace ethics, unfortunately. I’m not going to harp on that much, but for heavens sake folks—pick up your dang trash and pack out your TP!!! (Especially frustrating when there are trash cans and privies at the two busiest trailheads along this route.)
If you’re new to hiking, you may want to do these as a series of day hike rather than biting off the entire backpacking loop. If you’re an experienced hiker but new to backpacking, I think this is a great way shakedown type trip to help you hone skills and gear. Very experienced backpackers will likely rate this an easy trip.
Good luck and happy hiking!