McAfee & Tinker Cliffs 113-Mile Hike #4
12.8 miles, moderate terrain
2 miles from Orange Market + 9 mile shuttle, $1.00 carpool fee
This hike offers the opportunity to see two of the prime
vistas on the Appalachian Trail, McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs, in one
day. The hike starts across from the McAfee parking lot on Route
311. Be extremely careful crossing route 311, visibility for cars is
limited and they are moving very fast. The trail climbs gradually to
McAfee’s Knob, passing John’s Spring Shelter at 1.0 mile and Catawba Mountain
shelter at 3.0 miles. At 3.7 miles reach short blue-blazed trail on left to
McAfee Knob. The cliffs there offer magnificent views of the Catawba
Valley and the city of Roanoke. The trail then follows the the ridge line
to Tinker Cliffs at 8.6 miles, with views of McAfee Knob and North Mountain.
Continue north on the A.T. for another half mile to Scorched Earth Gap.
Go left on the Andy Layne Trail for descent to Rt. 779.
McAfee+Tinker