Cove Mountain Loop via North Mountain Trail #263
32.6 mi
Distance
16 hrs 53 min
Time
terrain
1,834 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a difficult loop trail to Tinker Mountain in Jefferson National Forest.
This trail goes by North Mountain, Scorched Earth Gap, Tinker Cliffs, Dragon's Tooth, Cove Mountain, and Lost Spectacles Gap.
Sights to See
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Public Tracks
Dragon's Tooth Trail (no summit)
I took my son on his very first camping trip...almost. We made it to the campsite and set up the tent. We met five students from Liberty out for a weekend backpacking trip. We all ate and settled in for the night. At 9:30pm, I awoke to someone or something pushing up against my tent. Unsure of what it was I called out "hello," but to no response. One of the Liberty guys called out to his friend, but then quickly realized that a large black bear was the one causing the disturbances in camp. I got out of my tent to view the large ursine. He was more curious than anything and didn't show any aggression, but he also didn't scare as we attempted to get him to leave camp. The entire group decided a night hike out to the car was our best course of action.
Triple Crown
http://www.adventure-inspired.com/2017/07/backpacking-virginia-triple-crown-tips.html
Day 1: 10.6 miles, 2,400' elevation gain camp at Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Day 2: 15.5 miles, approx 2,200' elevation gain camp at Boy Scout trail 0.2 miles from dragon's tooth trail parking lot
Day 3: 9.6 miles, approx. 2,000' elevation gain
Virginia Triple Crown Loop
Start at Catawba Rd. parking. Stay at Dragons Tooth camp ground, Johns Spring, Lamberts Meadow.
