Three Ridges is one of Virginia's most popular backpacking circuits. Situated in Central Virginia, just 30 miles southwest of Charlottesville, the hike has vista after vista along the Appalachian Trail, and many small waterfalls and pools on the Mau-Har Trail on Campbell Creek.
From the parking area at Reeds Gap, head south along the white blazed Appalachian Trail (AT) as it initially hugs the left side of a clearing. At the end of the clearing start climbing Meadow Mountain, and in 0.8 miles arrive at the top of the ridge and campsite/overlook.
Continue along the AT as it now heads downhill, and in 0.8 miles arrives at the Maupin Field Shelter, and intersection with the Mau-Har Trail that will be your return route. The shelter is not visible from this intersection, and is 100 yards downhill. Several small trails intertwine this large camping area.
At the intersection remain left, staying on the AT as it passes a small clearing. The AT will now climb and pass over Bee Mountain in 0.5 miles. Descend Bee Mountain, then climb the northern knoll of Three Ridges and arrive at the best vista of the hike.
Continue up the AT as the trail traverses the ridge before reaching the top of the second knoll in 0.8 miles, and view to the northeast. Look for an unblazed side trail on the left marking the overlook and campsite.
The AT now heads downhill from the hike highpoint, and in 0.1 miles stay right a the trail marker. Descend another 0.2 miles before making a switchback to the left. At the switchback there is another overlook. After making the switchback the AT will descend steeply for 0.8 miles, then pass around the left/north side of Chimney Rock. A faint unblazed trail ascends steeply for 25 yards, then passes around the left side of the summit to the Chimney Rock overlook.
Continue downhill on the AT for another 1.8 miles as the trail descends to the right/south of Three Ridges, then arrives at the main camping area and Harpers Creek Shelter.
Turn left downhill on the AT (opposite side of the creek from the shelter). In 0.1 miles the AT will turn right crossing Harpers Creek before heading uphill, and reaching the intersection of the blue blazed Mau-Har Trail in 0.7 miles at a small pass on the ridge.
Turn right on the blue blazed Mau-Har Trail, descend, switchback up the next ridge, then descend again and reach Campbell Creek and large camping area in 1.5 miles. There is a yellow blazed spur trail that leads downstream to a small pool and waterfall in 200 yards.
Continue upstream on the blue blazed Mau-Har Trail as it becomes steeper, crossing Campbell Creek, and making several switchbacks before arriving at Maupin Field Shelter in another 1.9 miles.
There are several trails at the shelter leading to different campsites. Continue straight past the shelter for 150 yards and reach the intersection of the AT you descended earlier.
Turn left on the AT, then in 20 yards stay right remaining on the white blazed AT. Continue uphill on the AT as it passes back over Meadow Mountain, before descending and arriving back at the parking area at Reeds Gap in 1.6 miles.
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Reviews For The Three Ridges Hike (5 Most Recent)
Did this hike as a One day hike Started at 745AM and finished at 500PM so a little over 9 hours. Some of the difficulties of this hike would be the leaves on the ground covering the trail we also had 30 lbs packs, and it being 34 degrees. This is our 16th hike with hikingupward and I think it is my favorite so far. The views are great the stream/waterfalls are also some highlights of the hike. Only ran into 15 hikers on a 15 mile hike so that's great. I think it would be great if someone touched up the paint on some of the blazes on the AT as they are fading and spaced inappropriately. It also says on the trail that the 3 mile Hau-Mar trail is like doing the 6.2 mile three ridges so doing this trail in reverse to me is not a good idea. All the camping areas looked great even though we did not stay the night. You can find so many more overlooks than this site shows also. At the intersecting sign for Harpers creek shelter and reeds gap go left about 50 yards for a great view on a rock. This is not a trail to get to the rocks but easy to find. I would love to do this trail again in the spring.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, October 08, 2011
Just a one quick point: the place where the Hau-Mar first meets the stream is referred to as a large camping spot:
"...then descend again and reach Campbell Creek and large camping area in 1.5 miles. There is a yellow blazed spur trail that leads downstream to a small pool and waterfall in 200 yards."
IMHO, that camping are is really pretty small. We arrived there when one other person had a tent set up, and we felt uncomfortable camping in his lap, which we would have had to do. We found a tiny little spot on an "island" in the stream, just big enough for two. But then a large party arrived, completely swamping the poor guy who was there first. He later left.
There is a much larger camping area about half a mile upstream (but half a *very* steep half mile!): "Continue upstream on the blue blazed Mau-Har Trail as it becomes steeper, crossing Campbell Creek..." That's where there is a much larger camping area, but tired hikers who arrive at the first point of contact of Campbell Creek will grumble a lot over the steep ascent.
By:
jonny e
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, September 17, 2011
Had my eye on this one for a long time, finally had a chance to do the loop yesterday. I was day-hiking and trail ran some sections, carrying about 8 lbs total (water+food+warm clothes b/c it was quite chilly in the morning). Took about 4.5 hrs total. This hike would be significantly more difficult with a heavy(-ier) pack, as there are quite a lot of rocky sections, where one ought to step carefully, and, as previous posts note, there is a lot of uphill or downhill...but very little just cruisin' flats. Saw 4 or 5 groups of backpackers, either headed in, or headed out, so some traffic, but not a ton (was expecting mobs on the trail, from previous posts).
Was a bit disappointed in the vistas along the AT section, somewhat b/c visibilty was limited due to fairly substantial cloud cover/a lot of moisture in the air. Don't get me wrong--they were nice, and I enjoyed them...just felt sort of "generic", and nothing really spectacular. Saw a couple of deer on the descent from high-point, not too far past Chimney Rock. They didn't run off completely, just sat atop a little hill looking back down at me. Was a peaceful sight--not to sound cheesy, but one of those "commune with nature" moments.
For my money, by far the prettiest parts of this trail are down by the water (Harper's and Campbell Creek). The MauHar section of the trail was completely empty during my hike back out. I think it is the best section of trail in this circuit. Peaceful and challenging as it hugs the creek climbing out of the valley. The waterfall spur trail (yellow-blazed) was a beautiful, quiet respite. Beyond the "official" yellow-blazed spur trail, there is more to explore, and it looks as if others had before me. However, be careful. The ground was somewhat what and the going was quite dicey...and on the edge of a 40 ft cliff there isn't much room for error.
By the time I was coming out, back on top of Bee Mountain, the sun finally broke there, highlighting all of the wildflowers and thistles growing. A few trees are already starting to change up there!
All in all, a very good hike. Definitely takes some energy expenditure but completely doable as a day-hike. Would be fun as an overnight too...but be ready for some sore legs carrying a larger pack up and over several hills. Lots of beautiful things to see.
By:
Rating:
Date of Hike: Saturday, April 09, 2011
Ahhh. Refreshed.
One could say that hiking 3 Ridges as an overnight makes you less of a "hard core" hiker than others.. but, never judge before you have done it yourself..
Listing a-stern with a hefty 31 lbs of gear, mainly because i was hungry when i packed.. LOTS of extra food, we started from Reeds Gap and heading down the Mau-Har, cussing Angelo Philippe the whole dang way i swear he unfolded a map, put it on the ground, pulled out a piece of string, dropped the string onto the map and said "There! That is where the trail should go!" what a jerk! :-)
We arriving at the Harper's creek shelter and set up camp.
Now, the hike in actually was not bad, this was the 6th time i have done this trail, but the first as an overnight. Liking the idea of staying and relaxing we got to camp around 3pm and settled in a small camp site, away from the four hundred and seventy five boy scouts that were religiosity and delightfully quiet for once.. or it could have been that we camped so close to the water that the noise of the flow drowned out any "all night chatter" usually associated with such a group.. Either way, it was nice.
After an all night rain shower, and a fight with my old, and now wet tent, i woke up around 8:45am to the thickest white fog i have ever seen. It was literally so thick, you could loose sight of your toes if you stood straight up. I managed to get a pile of wet wood dried out over my "special brew" of Vaseline and cotton-balls and managed to be the only sight with a campfire that morning. We spent another hour drying out our gear and eating hot oatmeal.
Off to Chimney Rock..
So, usually climbing uphill at this point is: 1. a great wake-up stretch. 2. Something usually best left for fresh legs. 3. better done the other direction, down hill! But today, we decided to hit it with what we had. all the while thinking "i hope we get above this haze and get the view from the top today!" and sure enough, being that close to God on top of the mountain, he heard us.. The fog was hanging just below the peak and as far as the eye could see was this white layer of fluff being pierced by The Priest.
It was akin to being in a small plane flying just above the clouds, being kissed by the sun and hugged by mother nature. Such a sight to see. (wish i had more words for you on this but it just took my breath away). awesome.
up to Bee Mountain was about 1 hour of uphill. Along the trail there were 2 springs to get some water, since i had dumped off as much as i could that morning, this was a nice and welcome find. Sipping along the trails we popped out on the saddle leg to B. Through the trees, along the ridge and to the rock outcrop . another always breath taking sight. The Priest just punching up through the fog layer and the deep blue sky behind it, The Priest is just something to behold. Sharp edges, bald section, and how it reaches up to the heavens just waiting for you to climb, another must see.
Back to Reeds Gap is just the longest section of "hurry the heck up" that you will hit. It always makes the hike slow when you know that the only thing you have to look forward to is getting back in the car and driving home to a ringing telephone, the computer, and work the next morning. makes you want to purposefully trip, fall, and hit your head knocking yourself out for another 3 days to spend in the woods. To Heck with work.. I am going back to Maupen for the night.
Day 3 :-) back to the car.
I miss you my beloved 3 Ridges. A fun day hike, stretched out to several days of "who the heck cares what is going on in the world, i have this"!
Longing to be back in the woods. Enjoy, all patrons of 3 Ridges.
Liabliity
By:
scudder
Rating:
Date of Hike: Sunday, March 27, 2011
Did this as a day hike (8.5 hrs!) after a light snowfall. Creeks were gushing, patchy snow added to the visual enjoyment, and there were a few spring flowers evident due to the warm weather of the previous week. Missed all the panoramic views as it was very foggy, so i guess I'll have to do it again now that I know where all the overlooks and campsites are located. This one has been on my list for awhile, and I had a great time out there today.
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