Spy Rock – Seely Woodworth Memorial Shelter and Rock Spring – Appalachian Trail Virginia

This was Day 1 of a planned three day hike on the AT South, from The Priest Shelter, where I left off on my southbound trek. On day 1 I hiked from the upper parking at Crabtree Falls on Meadows Lane (4x4 recommended) and hiked the last 0.5 miles up to the junction with the AT. From there I hiked south 3 miles to Spy Rock. Spy Rock has a number of very nice campsites (no water or privy) and a rock scramble up to an outstanding viewpoint. This is well worth the hike and can be done as a day hike. There is closer parking down the hill about 1.1 miles from the junction with Spy Rock Road near the Fish hatchery. From there I continued South 1.6 miles to Porters Gap and Rock Spring. There are great campsites at this very cool spring. It is another easy 1.1 miles to the Seely Woodworth Memorial Shelter. There is a small stream crossing on this part of the trail and it was enveloped by cool mist when I hiked through. The shelter is nice and has a privy and spring at the location. There are a number of good tent sites and places to hand a hammock as well. The next day (2) I hiked from Seeley Woodworth Shelter back to The Priest Shelter, and then hiked back to the upper parking of Crabtree Falls on Meadows Lane (4x4 recommended). From there I drove around to Hog Camp Gap on USFS 48 (another 1 lane dirt road but passable with a normal car) and hiked South to Cow Camp Gap Shelter. The views on Cole Mountain are outstanding and can be seen as a quick day hike and are well worth it. The shelter is quite nice and has a good spring. The link to Day 2 is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szqbIylRuMs. Mileage in and out from Meadows Lane was 7.9 miles, including Spy Rock. Total for the trip was 24.3 miles.     

@0:26 – Crabtree Falls Upper Parking
@1:00 – AT Crossing at Hog Camp Gap
@1:53 – Woods Walk
@2:10 – Spring at Hog Camp Gap
@3:11 – Spy Rock Trail Junction
@3:39 – Spy Rock campsites
@4:20 – Spy Rock Ascent and Views
@6:57 – Porters Gap / Rock Spring
@9:29 – Seely / Woodworth Shelter
@10:44 – Privy at Seely / Woodworth Shelter (exciting B-Roll!)
@11:31 – Spring at Seely / Woodworth Shelter
@12:02 – My CoyotePack Hammock System

Hemlock Mountain Outdoors: https://hemlockmountainoutdoors.com/

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