Cove Mountain Loop via North Mountain Trail #263(edit)

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. 

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

Start at Catawba Rd. parking. Stay at Dragons Tooth camp ground, Johns Spring, Lamberts Meadow.