Point-to-Point Triple Crown Overnight Backpacking feat. Tinker Cliffs, McAfee’s Knob, and Dragon’s Tooth

OVERVIEW

The Triple Crown of Virginia is a lovely series of day hikes with nice views that happen to be located within a few miles of each other along the Appalachian Trail. This overnight backpacking trip will take us by each of the main attractions: Tinker Cliffs, McAfee’s Knob, and Dragon’s Tooth.

The entire route is about 22 miles. We will be hiking southbound, one-way, so we’ll have two cars and shuttle people from one end to the other. While this is a beginner friendly trip, it will still be somewhat intensive, as we will be hiking several strenuous miles on the first day. It will also likely be cold weather.

On Friday, we will start the hike for Tinker Cliffs (a steep hike, but doable) and will hopefully be at the top of the cliffs for sunset. (Fun fact: the cover photo for this trip was taken at Tinker Cliffs at sunset.) We will then bust out the headlamps and carry on several more miles down the trail in the dark to set up camp at the Campbell shelter, which will put us at 8-ish miles total for the day.

On Saturday, we will get up and make our way to McAfee’s Knob, snap some pics, and carry on down the AT. We should hit Dragon’s Tooth sometime between lunch and dinner. From there, it’s a short jaunt to the endpoint. We will clock a total of 14-ish miles on Saturday.

Because this is a short trip and it will be cold, we are not planning to refill/filter any water (water sources could be frozen or dry). Please bring all the water you will need for drinking and cooking.

We will bring a large tent for all to share (will help with warmth), but you are welcome to bring your own personal tent, hammock, or sleep in the shelter.

If you would like to do group meals (breakfast and dinner), please indicate so in the trip questionnaire and plan to venmo like $5 for food. Otherwise, bring your own food and cookware/pan/utensil. Lunch and snacks are on your own. We will bring a camp stove to share as a group.

If you’re new to backpacking and think you can handle the cold weather, steep grade, mileage, and night hiking, feel free to sign up! Elli and I are here to answer any questions you might have, so feel free to reach out!

Gear to Bring:
– clothing: non-cotton layers (wool is best; synthetic/fleece is good)
– backpacking backpack
– pack cover
– trekking poles (optional)
– sleeping bag
– sleeping bag liner (optional)
– sleeping pad
– pillow (optional)
– lunch for Saturday
– personal snacks
– dish to eat out of
– utensil
– dish to cook in (bring if not participating in group meal)
– water (at least 4L for drinking, plus whatever you will use for cooking)
– headlamp
– clothing layers appropriate for the weather
– rain gear
– hat, gloves, and socks
– hiking footwear

We will bring the following group gear:
– tent
– camp stove
– first aid kit
– map/navigation
– water filter (not planning to use, but just in case)

Schedule
1pm – leave Echols
3pm – arrive at Dragon’s Tooth and shuttle to the start
3:30pm – arrive at Tinker Cliffs trailhead and begin hiking
~~~hike, sleep, eat, chat, enjoy views, get cold and sweaty, have fun~~~
4pm-ish – arrive at cars at Dragon’s Tooth and shuttle to start
4:30-ish – arrive at start with all humans and all cars accounted for
6:30-ish – arrive back in Charlottesville