VA/Harpers Creek Three Ridges Wilderness, Nelson County

[JSH]

Here's my first attempt at a trip video. Learned a lot. Like helps to take spare storage disk for camera. I had to finish the trip using my cell phone. Also see why folks mount their camera on a trekking pole.

I originally planned to hang in the watershed above Crabtree Falls but I realized the crowds were so large Saturday afternoon as to make that hard to do. Plan B was to drive east a few miles to the AT crossing and head north to the Harpers Creek AT shelter. It was a beautiful hike up and back. Despite over 40 campsites around the shelter, it was a pleasant stay. Wish I could have captured the stars about midnight. Didn't realize there were so many in the sky.

Hope you enjoy the trip.

https://youtu.be/48Lnbtutyrc

[2ply]

Always good to have a plan B. Looks like you and Ben had a great time.

[DamnYankee]

I love the scenery going up at the falls but was a little disappointed at the top. I thought there would be more. Great hike with lots of stairs and switchbacks. St. Mary's Wilderness is another great hike and one of my favorite fishing areas.

[hang em' high]

Ive been thinking of picking up that same dog tent, the Alcott. What are your impressions of it?

~HEH

[JMBdevotee]

Looks like you both had a good time! It does seem like Harpers Creek is a busy area, fortunately there is lots of room.

[JSH]

Always good to have a plan B. Looks like you and Ben had a great time.

As it turned out, going to Harpers Creek was a more pleasant hike. Where I was heading originally would have been like a highway. Must have been 300 cars parked in the Crabtree Falls parking lot and access road.

I love the scenery going up at the falls but was a little disappointed at the top. I thought there would be more. Great hike with lots of stairs and switchbacks. St. Mary's Wilderness is another great hike and one of my favorite fishing areas.

I'll have to give St. Mary's Wilderness a try. Thanks.

Ive been thinking of picking up that same dog tent, the Alcott. What are your impressions of it?

~HEH

I had picked the Alcott and watched it in Amazon until it went on sale. It was priced at $10 which I thought pretty good. Had to wait 3-4 months, though for that pricing opportunity.

It's not waterproof, although would be fine for a light rain. bottom of the tent is covered with waterproof coating however.

It has zippers on the front door for both mosquito screen and tent cover which works well with Ben. It's lightweight. Ben carried it in his backpack along with his food.

this was my first overnighter with him in the Alcott. We'd used it as home for several nights in lieu of his crate.

Looks like you both had a good time! It does seem like Harpers Creek is a busy area, fortunately there is lots of room.

We did have a good time. Being able to hang near the creek made it so. Didn't feel the crowds that were in the flatter areas. That said, it was quiet that night. Folks were well behaved and it turned into a nice setting. Bumping into thru hikers was kind of neat.

[TallPaul]

Nice job on the video JSH - good recovery with the phone. Looks like a nice place to visit.

[JSH]

Nice job on the video JSH - good recovery with the phone. Looks like a nice place to visit.

There are probably a lot of hikes with prettier vistas but Sunday morning walking off the mountain was pretty magical. Cool air, morning sunlight through the trees, few sounds other than the wind. Was pretty special. The occasional glimpse through the canopy of the valley below was an added dividend.

[lckeeper1]

Nice report, JSH! I know we've dicussed the awesome-ness of Three Ridges in the past, and I'm glad you got to get out there. You're report kind of scared me, though, about Crabtree Falls. We're looking to do some day hiking up there this weekend! Here's hoping no 300 cars!

Also, I second about Harper's Creek. Everytime I've been there, we had a good crowd, but everyone was always respectful of their neighbors. And it's always fun to bump into thru-hikers (ahhh, one day!).

[JSH]

Nice report, JSH! I know we've dicussed the awesome-ness of Three Ridges in the past, and I'm glad you got to get out there. You're report kind of scared me, though, about Crabtree Falls. We're looking to do some day hiking up there this weekend! Here's hoping no 300 cars!

Also, I second about Harper's Creek. Everytime I've been there, we had a good crowd, but everyone was always respectful of their neighbors. And it's always fun to bump into thru-hikers (ahhh, one day!).

The parking lot at Crabtree Falls had no available space when I got there last Saturday. Road in was lined with parked cars on both sides as well. I was getting ready to turn around and drive back down Rte 56 when a car left. Guess the crowds had to do with the beautiful weather and the falls itself. Water flow was decent so the various falls within the area were really pretty.

You're right about the group at the AT shelter. Very respectful of each other. Nice folks.