Three Ridges Wilderness - Appalachian Trail – Maupin Field Shelter Harpers Creek Shelter and Spring

This is an outstanding 14.5 mile loop hike that takes you from the parking at Reeds Gap South along the Appalachian Trail through the Three Ridges Wilderness and then back via the blue blazed Mau-Har Trail along Campbell Creek. The return via the Mau-Har Trail is very difficult at the top (North) end as you work your way back to the Maupin Field Shelter. Both the Maupin Field Shelter and the Harpers Creek Shelter have outstanding water and tent sites. The privies are only soso concrete vault type and stink a bit. They were still moderately clean given the heavy use this time of year. There are a number of nice views along the Three Ridges and the Mau-Har Trail is beautiful with lots of small waterfalls.

3:21 Three Ridges Wilderness
4:00 Bee Mountain
5:16 Unmarked Spring
6:07 Hanging Rock Overlook
8:14 Rocks!
9:14 Harpers Creek Shelter
11:45 Mau-Har Trail
12:51 Campbell Creek Campsite
15:13 Maupin Field Shelter
17:05 “Rocket Man” and “Mountain Goat”

I also went back and slack packed the portion of trail skipped last week from VA56 at the Tye River North up to the intersection with the Mau-Har Trail. This is a 1.7 mile out and back that is uphill with about 1100’ elevation gain. There are plenty of switchbacks and it is not hard. There is nothing of significance (other than the bridge at the Tye River) to view.     

A great description of this hike is here:
https://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/ThreeRidges/

This was a 19.2 mile hike in total for me, covering another 10.7 miles of the AT. 😊

This was filmed entirely on my iPhone 6 and edited with Wondershare Filmora.

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