AT from VA311 to Black Horse Gap Backpacking Trip
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This was a three stage hike of a continuous section of the Appalachian Trail that took place Friday March 21'03 - Monday March 24'03. Stage One: Friday March 21'03 US 11 - US 220 Daleville, VA Tom Stevenson and Charlie Johnson both arrived at the Econolodge at US 220 Daleville, VA at the same time Friday evening. After checking in, we arranged transport with the motel manager to the parking area on US11 in Troutville. The trail enters a wooded area across the road, crossing a small creek. After a slight rise, the trail turned left, running along the shoulder of VA 779. We passed under an overpass of I-81 and turned up and over into the remains of a steep orchard area. We then crossed a bridge at far side of this area before a slight ascend through a wooded area. After we gain the top of this rise we soon found ourselves quickly descending onto the shoulder of US 220, not 200 yards from our motel. This total distance travel was supposed to be 1½ miles, but it seems much shorter. We were both surprised that it was traveled with such ease. Stage Two: Saturday March 22 - Sunday March 23'03, VA 311 Catawba, VA to US 220 Daleville, VA Tom and Charlie both got a pleasant surprise while getting prepared for our morning departure. Bill and Chris Isham called from minutes away to say they would soon be joining us. We transported to the trailhead at the parking area in Bill's antique blazer. The parking area is much improved since our last venture here 11/30/96.After the customary group picture, we set off on our journey. We crossed over the road and entered the woods through a slight rise. We began to ascend to a ridge before turning onto an old road bed. The trail wound toward the right, leaving the road and continuing along the ridge. We took our first break at the Boy Scout shelter. The trail began to climb in earnest through some short steep sections. We passed under power lines and some large rock outcropping. Following the remains of an old road bed took us to an uphill side trail leading to our much needed break at McAfee Knob. Families with young kids were enjoying the spectacular views of far off mountain ranges. We continue along a downward descend through a series of switchbacks and along winding passages of trail until we come upon Campbell Shelter. After a short break we continued through the woods and then along an old road bed before once more beginning to ascend. We passed through and actually right under rather large rock formations. After a steep ascend we arrived at Tinker Cliffs. This is rather long area of over hanging rock cliffs that the trail transverses. The view is magnificent as it curves to the east along the mountains prominent. We then descended down once more into a wooded area, stopping once for a short break. Crossing small steams, we passed a sign pointing to the Andy Layne Trail and also pointing toward our direction of travel as the Scorched Earth Gap. We follow a winding trail down through the woods for a tired long distance in search of the finally arrived at Lamberts Meadow Shelter. Arriving after 4pm we meet up with a fellow hiker Chris from Blacksburg, VA. The only signs of rodent company were a set of beady eyes spotted under the corner of the shelter and some noise during the night at the picnic table. We spend a pleasant evening preparing meals and arranging our gear. We had excellent moderate weather, which was to continue on into the next days. Leaving early the next morning at 7am we passed a nice primitive camping area near a stream crossing. We then took a steep ascend before leveling off along stenches of trail, following along the top of the mountain ridge. You could see out to the north-west views of farms and houses, as well as mountain ranges out at the distance. We then started to favor portions of trail that looked back to the south overlooking the Carvin Cove Reservoir. The trail continued through rock formations and under Power lines. The view switched over toward either direction before finally changing to the north. The trail then started its gradual descend for a long distance, before starting in earnest to switchback down through a large steep wooded area. Finally arriving into a ravine area the trail set off down into a wide level dirt road. Passing over a swift large stream on a concrete bridge, the trail entered old replanted flood plain, before starting a long ascend through an old orchard. The trail passed up and over a large field, before entering once more through a short stand of trees and exiting us onto US 220. We gathered at the nearby Pizza Hut and waited for the arrival of our new companion Chris. Charlie arranged transport for the next phase of this outing. Stage Three: Sunday March 23'03 - Monday March 24'01, Blackhorse Gap to US11 Troutville Charlie dropped his vehicle off at the parking area along US11 Troutville and arranged transport to Blackhorse gap with a local legend, through hiker and trail maintainer Homer Witcher. What an interesting person. The trail traveled down hill for a distance of 2.4 miles, before arriving at Wilson Creek Shelter. Taking a narrow footpath, it crossed over steep mountain ravines and passed over three running springs. The travel was an easy and pleasant journey through a large track of wooded area. The shelter was nicely deserted, clean and well maintained. The next morning I started out early to end my day with road travel anticipated. The trail descends and crossed over Wilson Creek. After crossing a large creek, there was a long descent. The switchbacks continued on for quite a ways up along the contours of the mountainside before finally crossing over dirt Salt Pond Road. Their remained still a short uphill climb before the trail once more began to steadily descend. Their was then travel along an old road bed that climbed up into the elevation for a long distance before finally exiting into the woods. The trail bent to the right, with a sign pointing straight to the Fullhart Shelter. I visited the shelter located on a knoll top for an early lunch break. I then found a series of switchbacks and winding passages through dense wooded portions. A sign announced that the next .6 miles of travel was along private property. The trail traveled through a thinly wooded area and over a small hill, then along the edge of a field before climbing a fence ladder at the edge of a paved road. Crossing the road, I passed through an open field and crossed a stream. The trail then descends a steep bald cow pasture hill, before breaking to the left and back over another ladder into the woods once more. The trail winds along on a gradual downgrade through a portion of woods before abruptly crossing over a set of active railroad tracks. After that there only remained a short section to the parallel road US11 and the parking area to the left. The trip banished any curse from prior times and with good companions, great weather and scenic vistas proved to be a great adventure.
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