The Triple Crown of Virginia- Labor's Day Week

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AS THIS TRIP HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF AUGUST 11

1. About the Trail:
   The Triple Crown of Virginia is a 32-35 mile loop (or approximately 20 Miles point-to- point) that connects three of the highest and most spectacular points in the Roanoke Valley in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains & the Appalachian trail.

2. Appalachian Trail Mile Markers:
   Dragon Tooth Mile: 700.1 Elevation: 2841 Feet
   McAfee Knob Mile: 712.0 Elevation: 3117 feet
   Tinker Cliffs Mile: 717.1 Elevation: 2953 feet

3. Difficulty Level: Strenuous

4. DISCLAIMER: THE BELOW SCHEDULE MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS NECESSARY. I will try my best to lead this hike as planned, but I reserve the right to make changes as I see fit. You are not required to stick with my plan as you will be responsible for your own well-being. We will try to hike as a group as much as possible, but each individual is required to recognize their own skill level and capabilities to carry on this hike.

5. Itinerary :
   Day 1: August 30th (Optional)

Arrive & Meet. I will be at the Four Pine Hostel on Friday night on August 30, 2019 until Saturday morning August 31st. Four Pine Hostel will be happy to accommodate our group of hikers. I have reached out to them and let them know. Four Pine Hostel is donation base. If you decide to stay at the hostel please be mindful and bring some cash to donate.
Four Pine Hostel is a 3 bay brick garage with bunk beds and a bathroom with a shower and it is only .3 miles from the Appalachian Trail.

Day 2: August 31st

Meet at the Dragon's Tooth parking area. (37.37898, -80.15561) at 9 a.m.
We will group and meet everyone who will be arriving on Saturday.
The trek will start at the Dragon Tooth trail-head parking lot (2.5 + 0.8 miles). This is the most strenuous part of this trek. This Section includes some rock scrambling and climbing. we will then head on to the direction of McAfee knob on the Appalachian Trail (7.5 miles). We will set up camp at John Spring Shelter & campsite which is 3 miles short of the Knob. If you arrive late, you can find us at camp.

Day 3:

Break camp and head on towards McAfee Knob (3.0 Miles). This is a steady climb, but if you take it easy you will be just fine. We will have lunch, regroup and head on Tinker cliffs (5.5 Miles). Camp at Lambert's Meadow Trail Shelter.

Day 4:

If at all possible, I would like to have a shuttle set up the Andy Layne Tinkers Cliff Trail Parking Lot. This is where those who wish to leave early can leave. The rest will carry on the trek by looping back via the Andy Layne trail and back to Dragon Tooth.

Day 5:
The loop option turn off the Appalachian trail at Scorched Earth Gap Mile 718.0 via the Andy Layne Trail (Yellow Blazed) to the Andy Layne trailhead where the Catawba Valley/ North mountain trail begins (15.5 miles & 2000 altitude gain)

North Mountain Trail have a primitive campsite 5.3 miles from the northern end. Water sources are seasonal and unreliable.

6. CAMPING:
   There are several Shelters, back-country camping sites, and a hostel or two along the trail that you should be familiar with:
   Campsite Mile 701.0 Appalachian Trail North Bound (NOBO)
   Four Pines Hostel Mile 702.3 AT NOBO (Great place for the group to meet/arrive to after a long day of driving)
   John Spring Shelter & campsite Mile 709.3 AT NOBO
   Catawba Mountain Shelter & campsite Mile 710.3 AT NOBO
   Pig Farm campsite Mile 712.6 AT NOBO
   Campbell Shelter & campsite Mile 712.7 AT NOBO
   Lamberts Meadow Trail Shelter 718.7 AT NOBO

7. Trail Weather info can be found here: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?CityName=Catawba&state=VA&site=RNK&textField1=37.3833&textField2=-80.1167#.XVCi_-NKjIU

8. By signing up or participating in this event, you fully accept our Waver & Release of Liability:
   https://www.meetup.com/indybackpackers/messages/boards/thread/52382750#132120632