VA Triple Crown update Had a hard time finding some info…
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VA Triple Crown update
Had a hard time finding some info when doing my pre-trip research so despite only being able to complete 17/34 miles of the loop I wanted to provide some helpful info I wish I had known ahead of time!
Starting at Andy Layne parking area until the first road crossing after Dragon's Tooth (\~17 miles).
Andy Layne Trail/Parking Area
\- The lower portion of Andy Layne trail has been permanently closed. A new trail route and parking lot will be open sometime around November 2026. There is a temporary detour is in place where you road walk about .5mi along VA-779 to connect from Tinker Cliffs/upper Andy Layne trail to Catawba Valley Trail (which takes you up to North Mountain trail). It’s a curvy road with no shoulder. More info at https://www.ratc.org/andy-layne-trail/ .
North Mountain trail
\- Saw lots of online comments that it is not as well maintained, let me translate: very overgrown in sections! Walked through swaths of poison oak and ivy, brambly blackberry and raspberry bushes, and also harmless undergrowth. Pants are a must to avoid ticks and rashes.
Camping
\- The last campsite clearing on North Mountain trail is almost exactly a mile from Dragon’s Tooth trailhead/parking lot area. When you get to Dragon’s tooth there are lots of no camping signs, if you hike 1.7 miles into dragon’s tooth you exit the protected area and there are some cleared camping spots available where the trail connects to the AT. I really messed up and got scared away by the no camping signs, thought I wouldn't reach a campable spot until John Spring's shelter and must've messed up my research so I backtracked 1 mile uphill onto N. Mtn. trail.... don't be like me!
Other:
\- The .7 miles from the camping area/AT connection up to Dragon’s Tooth is as described everywhere - some scrambling, mildly annoying with a big pack and boots, but worth it.
\- The AT section once you come back down from Dragon’s Tooth and start heading North goes for about 1.5 mies before meeting the road, you can walk about 0.25 miles to a nearby gas station with a small market inside, another mile down the road is Huckleberry’s Hostel.
\- I refilled my water at the big stream near the parking lot of Dragon's Tooth, was kind of a pain in the butt to get down and back up from the water source but I managed. The various creeks along the Dragon's Tooth trial were all pretty much dry, puddles, or barely moving (7/20/2026). The Catawba grocery/gas station would be a good off trail place to fill up if need be, all other reports I've seen don't mention any viable water sources that aren't dry right now until Pigsfarm/Campbell shelter.
I'm hoping to try to successfully tackle this loop in the future! Faced multiple issues with my pack, blisters, morale, forgotten ear buds, poor air quality, and dry water sources.
#nature #activity
source
Had a hard time finding some info when doing my pre-trip research so despite only being able to complete 17/34 miles of the loop I wanted to provide some helpful info I wish I had known ahead of time!
Starting at Andy Layne parking area until the first road crossing after Dragon's Tooth (\~17 miles).
Andy Layne Trail/Parking Area
\- The lower portion of Andy Layne trail has been permanently closed. A new trail route and parking lot will be open sometime around November 2026. There is a temporary detour is in place where you road walk about .5mi along VA-779 to connect from Tinker Cliffs/upper Andy Layne trail to Catawba Valley Trail (which takes you up to North Mountain trail). It’s a curvy road with no shoulder. More info at https://www.ratc.org/andy-layne-trail/ .
North Mountain trail
\- Saw lots of online comments that it is not as well maintained, let me translate: very overgrown in sections! Walked through swaths of poison oak and ivy, brambly blackberry and raspberry bushes, and also harmless undergrowth. Pants are a must to avoid ticks and rashes.
Camping
\- The last campsite clearing on North Mountain trail is almost exactly a mile from Dragon’s Tooth trailhead/parking lot area. When you get to Dragon’s tooth there are lots of no camping signs, if you hike 1.7 miles into dragon’s tooth you exit the protected area and there are some cleared camping spots available where the trail connects to the AT. I really messed up and got scared away by the no camping signs, thought I wouldn't reach a campable spot until John Spring's shelter and must've messed up my research so I backtracked 1 mile uphill onto N. Mtn. trail.... don't be like me!
Other:
\- The .7 miles from the camping area/AT connection up to Dragon’s Tooth is as described everywhere - some scrambling, mildly annoying with a big pack and boots, but worth it.
\- The AT section once you come back down from Dragon’s Tooth and start heading North goes for about 1.5 mies before meeting the road, you can walk about 0.25 miles to a nearby gas station with a small market inside, another mile down the road is Huckleberry’s Hostel.
\- I refilled my water at the big stream near the parking lot of Dragon's Tooth, was kind of a pain in the butt to get down and back up from the water source but I managed. The various creeks along the Dragon's Tooth trial were all pretty much dry, puddles, or barely moving (7/20/2026). The Catawba grocery/gas station would be a good off trail place to fill up if need be, all other reports I've seen don't mention any viable water sources that aren't dry right now until Pigsfarm/Campbell shelter.
I'm hoping to try to successfully tackle this loop in the future! Faced multiple issues with my pack, blisters, morale, forgotten ear buds, poor air quality, and dry water sources.
#nature #activity
source
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