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Dragon's Back
8 reviews
4.13 of 5
Park at the grouse trail and start climbing. The beginning is very rocky then it changes into really fun switchbacks. As you get closer to the top, the trail gets rocky again and the switchbacks are nearly impossible to climb. There are also so many leaves in
places too that make you slip. It's like every leaf in Virginia blew onto this trail! The grouse trail is about 2.5 miles long. At the top is the ridge trail and there is a sign. You can go left to the turkey trail or right to the deer trail. If you turn left on the ridge trail, it is 3 miles to the turkey trail. This ridge trail is very technical because of all the sharp rocks sticking out in all directions. It's the rockiest trail I've ever seen! You'll see the turkey trail on the right. This is a very nice DH with some impossible switchbacks on the first half of the trail. Then the trail gets straight and fast with some cool obstacles. Back at the fire road, turn left and go about 4.4 miles back to the grouse trail if you parked there. This part is very boring because fire roads suck.
Take route 331 west from Roanoke into Craig County. Turn right on to FS road 224, about 2 miles from the Craig County line. This forest service road is also called Wildlife Road. Go about 4 miles to the grouse trail. You can go a little over 4 more miles to turkey trail. Both grouse and turkey are on the right.
Summary: This is classic back country hammer. Bring plenty of water, food, tubes and a first aid kit. Not for the feint of heart, these trails will challenge your rock garden skills and give you as a stout a single track climb as you can find anywhere in this part of the country. Probably should bring a friend too so the authorities will know where to find the body.
Seriously one of the region's best rides. Just come prepared.
Recommended Route: The Dragon's Back race course is always a favorite, but if you come with a local you'll discover some other, lesser know gems.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Mountain Lake Conservancy Trail System ...
www.MtnLakeConservancy.org
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Summary: I rode this trail several times in 2001, and did not get to return until september 2005. Lots of Changes! Most changes make this trail a lot more technical tan it was 3-4 years ago. This wiill list the problems with the trail, but overall it is a fun, challenging bike-and-hike.
First, the previous reviews are now outdated. The trail's condition has deteriorated a lot. The climb on the Grouse trail has much more exposed stones. Downed trees are common, and erosion has revealed more roots and scree on the off-camber parts. Strangely, most trees have fallen within 100 feet of switchbacks, and the rockiest switchback has a big old-growth tree right across it. You will be carrying your bike through these sections.
Parts of the ridge trail are impassable during the summer. The downed tress are allowing lots of...weeds...to grow across the trail. Most of the weeds have thorns, the rest look like poison ivey. You will have to dismount and hike around some of these briar patches. The new routes are somewhat noticeable, but not yet well worn. I did not spot any dragons along the way.
The descent on Turkey Trail was great, but had to stop to climb over the occasional tree.
Summary: you are gonna walk a while. Wear brush protection in the summer, and you gotta love disc brakes
Recommended Route: from FSR224, go up the Grouse , tun left at the ridge, and descend the Turkey Trail. Best ridden when the leaves ore off the trees = better views, less briar patches.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Pandappas Pond, Blacksburg
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Review Date November 1, 2003
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Aerobic Difficulty 3 of 5
Technical Difficulty 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Ridden Once
Reviewed by: Victor Vector
,
Cross Country Rider
Summary: I love this trail.
I am from central PA so the rock thing is kind of what I am used to.
I rode up grouse trail which was a great way to get up. Then I turned right to deer, then decided to turn around and ride out to the end of the mountain - 10 miles or so.
It took almost 4 hours, including a lunch break, to ride the entire ridgeline, but it was great fun. Slow and steady, the whole time. No screaming descents, no gnarly ins and outs...just a rolling ridgetop that requires some work and effort to travel. But it's 99% ridable.
And it really does look like a dragon's back. bonus.
I came back on the fire road (SR ??? and then left onto a very rolling wilderness road). The return trip on gravel roads takes about an hour and is very pretty / relaxing.
I would probably not do this ride alone, so take a bud. Definitely take a decent lunch too...whoever said not to take stupid gels above was right...take a few sandwiches or something substantial. You'll have many places to pause for a break and enjoy the vistas. The vista at the powerlines is spectacular.
I took 60 oz with me and I ran out - I recommend 100, if you can carry it. Or take a purifier...a few springs along the way.
This will probably take you all afternoon if you leave around lunch time.
I highly recommend the all you can eat dinner at The Home Place in catawba on the way out...wow, coolest restaurant ever conjured, and I mean that. Stop and see for yourself. I ate sooooo much...
Recommended Route: Park anywhere between route 311 and grouse trail on the wilderness road.
Ascend either deer or grouse. Turn north on the ridge trail. Pedal and steer for a long time. Descend to SR XXX and turn left. 4 miles later, turn left onto wilderness road (unmarked - first substantial gravel road you'll see on your left).
Other recommended trails in the same area: douthat, harrisonburg, carvin's cove, pandapas pond, arcadia area...etc...
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Review Date November 11, 2001
Overall Rating 5 of 5
Ridden Trail: Every few months
Reviewed by: cragmasterP
, from Floyd, the center of the universe
Summary: see above. Best in spring when mountain laurel are busting. Not good in muddy conditions.
Recommended Route: Do the full race course; up center climb, right at top of ridge, down next main right, ring of fire loop on downhill side of road, back up center trail(bitch'n good pump second time around)left on ridge this time and take left down after 4 miles of ridge or so. Single track most of the way. Rocky, rocky, technical, sublime. Bring all the water you can carry and drink it. Bring real food not just power icing crap. This is a real ride and involves some hike-a-bike. You can also only do half of the ride for a more moderate day.
Other recommended trails in the same area: Mack's Mountain
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Review Date June 2, 2001
Overall Rating 4 of 5
Ridden Trail: Every few months
Reviewed by: Deano
, from Roanoke, VA
Summary: The deer trail goes straight up from wildlife road. Hard climbing, with a few good switch backs near the top of ridge. A few near the top are unridable. The ridge trail is very technical. You'll be sick of rocks after awhile. Grouse trail is some hard climbing, pretty technical right from the start, but it's not 100% climbing the whole way. Of the two, the grouse is slightly easier to make it to the top with only one or two spots which can't be ridden. These trails require high skill levels, and riding the ridge will really wear you down; however, coming down (either one) is pretty fun. I think I liked coming down the Deer Trail the best. Challenging switchbacks and really tight trail. Don't bother with this ride unless you're in top shape and have a great bike.
Recommended Route: Take 311 north, about two miles past Dragon's Tooth parking lot, you will turn right on Forest Service Wildlife Road. Often, the gate is locked right near the highway, but if it's open, drive on in about 3 miles to the deer trail. No sign, it's just a slight bump out for parking on left (trial starts across road, on right as you drive in). Trail marked by a square post with yellow blaze. Grouse trail is a mile or so past Deer trail.
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4.13 of 5
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