The Trail Tribe: Finding Sisterhood and Strength on the Virginia Triple Crown

wander4soul

Sep 28

4 min read

Some journeys are measured in miles; others are measured in the bonds forged along the way. For our group—a tight-knit crew of four women, part of a larger group known as the Trail Tribe—our dream had been a year in the making. It took twelve months of training hikes, gear testing, and physical conditioning to prepare us for Labor Day Weekend, when we finally set out to tackle one of the East Coast’s most iconic routes: The Virginia Triple Crown.

Eighteen miles of rugged terrain, sweeping ridges, and unforgettable summits lay ahead. But more than the views, what truly defined the trek was the power of sisterhood on the trail.

Phase 1: Bouldering, Golden Hours, and Pitching in the Dark

Our adventure began on Friday with a climb up to Dragon’s Tooth. When we say "climb," we don’t just mean a steep walk—we mean scrambling up vertical rock faces using rebar steps and strategically placed handrails. We completely "rocked" it, reaching the peak just as the Golden Hour set in, bathing the towering stone formation in a warm, shimmering glow.

While Kidd—the youngest of our tribe, with nerves of steel and the sure-footedness of a mountain goat—climbed all the way to the top of the Tooth, the rest of us took in the panoramic views and celebrated our first victory.

By the time we scrambled back down past the rock section, the sun had slipped away. We pitched our camp under the cover of dark, high on the adrenaline of a successful first day, staying up late to laugh and dream about the trail ahead.

Phase 2: The S-Word and Creating Safe Spaces

If day one was about exhilaration, day two taught us grit.

We set out along the Andy Layne Trail, enjoying a peaceful morning until we hit the ascent to the ridge. That was the moment we discovered our collective arch-nemesis: stairs. Five grueling sections, each packing at least 100 steps (or so it felt!), tested our calves and our spirits. Somewhere near the top, a trail prankster had painted "You Got This" on a rock. Standing there, catching our breath, we colorfully expressed our doubts—and forever added "Stairs" to our group vocabulary as a shorthand for absolute endurance.

(Note: to be honest about this group, we can be very colorful in our expressive language so this word also is now a part of that category of four letter words that proper Virginia Ladies do not use)

(Note 2: none of us were born in Virginia… LOL)

Reaching the ridge, we hung our four hammocks near a stream. As the only women camping in the immediate area, we quickly realized we had to set boundaries. When male hikers repeatedly cut through our campsite uninvited, we relied on our resourcefulness—rigging our rain flies to build a private changing space and block their view. In those moments, having each other's backs wasn't just comforting; it was empowering.

Phase 3: Ridge Runners and Awe at the Edge

Day three brought sweeping vistas along Tinker Cliffs. Walking along the edge of the world, surrounded by vibrant mushrooms, wildflowers, and endless valley views, felt like a reward for every stair we’d conquered.

Along the way, we crossed paths with a friendly Ridge Runner completing his final trail shift of the season. Though he caught up with us at our shelter site that night and strictly enforced the "no campfire" rule on our illegal fire ring—even resisting our best persuasive arguments as former Scout leaders—we couldn't help but like the guy. We spent the evening around camp, debating whether to chase a sunrise or sleep in, ultimately choosing a restful morning to savor every last bit of the trail.

Phase 4: McAfee Knob and Trail Angels

Our final six-mile push led us to the crown jewel: McAfee Knob.

When you first arrive, you don't immediately see the famous ledge seen in all the postcard photos. The trail curves around, unveiling an expansive view of the valley below. As we stood at the edge, a hush fell over our group. Surrounded by awe, quiet reflection, and a few tears, we took in what we had accomplished together.

While waiting our turn for photos at the iconic overlook, the atmosphere felt almost like a party—full of happy conversations, shared smiles, and incredible energy from fellow hikers.

On our three-mile descent to the parking lot, our Wilderness First Aid training kicked in. We came across a hiker who had passed out from severe dehydration. Working as a team, we tended to his scrapes, got electrolytes into his system, and monitored him until he safely made it off the mountain.

The Ultimate Celebration

We wrapped up our dream trek the best way we knew how: with a round of burgers and brews at the Pink Cadillac Diner, surrounded by laughter, high-fives, and deep satisfaction.

This trip was never just about conquering 18 miles of rugged Virginia terrain. It was about a full year of training together, lifting each other up, pushing through fatigue, and creating spaces where every woman in our group felt supported.

To the women who trained with us, and to the four of us who stood on the edge of McAfee Knob: that year bonded us into a sisterhood that can never be broken.

Post -script: much has happened to the women in this group since this epic trek in 2019. We lived through a global pandemic. The Kidd spent time in Norway attending a folk art school. PegLeg moved across country to Washington State. Hobbette moved to West Virginia. Goldilocks journeyed through a mold illness and breast cancer. The many women that trained with us are still here in the Shenandoah Valley. Through it all we've remained close friends supporting each other, hiking and socializing when we can for more laughter, memory making and hugs. Trail sistas forever!

That year of preparation, training and coaching these women inspired part of the Next Bend story and coaching other women dreaming of backpacking the Appalachian Trail.

What are you waiting for? Call Goldilocks and let's start your journey!