Backpacking: Tinker Cliffs and Mcafee Knob

OVERVIEW

Located near Roanoke, McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs are two beautiful Blue Ridge Venues for some of the best views in Virginia! We will be hiking along the AT and staying in shelters. Be ready for some hardcore uphills to earn those majestic views I mentioned!

We will hike about 2 miles Friday night by headlamp to Catawba Mountain Shelter, near McAfee Knob, where we will spend the night. Saturday we will hike along the ridge, enjoying the views from McAfee and Tinker Cliffs. We’ll have lunch overlooking a lovely section of the Shenandoah Valley. In the afternoon, we will hike back to Campbell Shelter, hopefully in time to make it up for a sunset dinner atop the knob, a taste of the best Virginia has to offer (evening-lit landscapes, that is – no guarantees on the meal:)Saturday’s mileage will total around 12 miles. Sunday morning we’ll try to catch the sunrise, and dine over a scrumptious breakfast before heading back down to the cars (approx. 4 miles) and returning to Cville. I will set the trip to waitlist only and remove attendees from the waitlist as drivers sign up. Max 8. Also – this trip is not for the thin-skinned – it will be very chilly! A packing list will come later. I hope you enjoy my poem:

The knob at McAfee,
the cliffs of Tinker,
The views are free
these mountains offer!

Come one, come all,
for a beautiful hike,
in the last days of fall
just don’t bring a bike!

Outdoors at UVA will provide
Gas, nourishment, a seat in a car;
Good stories, a fire, your guide,
noodles and a chocolate bar!

Just sign up
and bring a smile,
come have some fun,
I’ll see you in a little while!