Echols Dorm: Brick Wall By Side Door
Three Ridges
This is a moderate circuit hike that follows along the Appalachian Trail and then returns via the Mah- Har Trail. Total miles for this hike is about 13-14 miles.
Three Ridges is a beautiful mountain that towers three thousand feet above the Tye River and surrounding apple orchards. Both the A.T. and the Mah-Har trails are very steep! And we will endure more than 4,500 feet of total elevation gain for this trip (which is a lot for a day hike!).
For the Appalachian trail portion of the hike- we will ascend the high ridge line to 4,000′- which offers splendid views of the valley below- as well as Three Ridges’ sister mountain ‘The Priest’. The Mah-Har trail follows along a narrow stream (the Mah-Har stream) that becomes wider as more and more streams flow into it. It is quite beautiful- with many intersecting waterfalls and gorges. As I already mentioned, this hike is not a scramble- but it is STEEP!! It is considered one of the hardest hikes in the state. But, because we will merely have day-packs on- it shouldn’t be too difficult.
Things you will need:
-lots of water
-some food
-rain gear
-hiking boots/very rugged shoes
-fleece jacket
-beanie
-headlamp, if you have one