Dragon’s Tooth Hike

Hiking Dragon’s Tooth means that Mickey and I have completed the trifecta of most famous hikes in Central Virginia.  The other two would be Old Rag and McAfee Knob.  Billy and JJ (and J-Wow) are now one for the big three.  This hike has been on our bucket list for a while now, but its distance away from us (close to 2 hour drive) and bad weather forecasts have made this hike a really hard one to fit in!  Labor Day weekend 2013 was the perfect opportunity for us to tackle ‘the tooth’, and we seized the opportunity!

Dragon’s Tooth hike is said to include the hardest .7 miles on the AT!

Located on the Appalachian Trail, atop Catawba mountain, Dragon’s Tooth is one of Virginia’s most known and popular hikes.  Its location not too far from Roanoke and Blacksburg makes it a well populated hike…..and a well maintained trail.  And, it lives up to its billing as a formidable hike.  Comparing it to the other big 3, I would say it is ‘harder’ than McAfee Knob and comparable to Old Rag (though Old Rag is much longer).  In fact, in some of my research on the hike, the last .7 miles (although I shall dispute that distance later in the blog) is the hardest stretch of the AT.  Comparing it to the about 50 miles of the AT that I have hiked, I would agree…..but I am not sure about the other approximate 2,150 miles!!!

I knew this would be a difficult hike for our family, but one that would be great to accomplish.  Thus, I did a lot of research on the topic.   Much of the information was contradictory or at the very least, confusing.  First off, the distance.   The distance most mentioned was 2.4 miles (or a 4.8 mile round trip).    That mileage, combined with the elevation gain we were going to experience, not to mention the rock obstacles put this hike right at the edge of our comfort zone.  Well, it turns out….the hike was 3.2 in by our map my run app (making it 6.4 miles round trip).  A big difference.  Now, there are a few ways to hikeDragon’s Tooth….including a Boy Scout connector trail.  But in looking at the map, we feel going the connector route would have made the hike even longer.  From what we could discern, the Boy Scout connector allowed the hikers to reach the AT much quicker than the Dragon’s Tooth trail option, and that was the reason to go that route.  So, a bit of confusion remains did we take the shortest route, making our research correct?   To add to the mystery, the distance markers themselves on the trail listed it as a 2.4 mile hike.   Maybe as the crow flies….but not as the hiker hikes!  We have noticed whenever we run a GPS, we always get a longer distance that what is published.  But, not by this much discrepancy!

We went not knowing how J-Wow would handle the hike. But, in the end, she was a rock star!

Taking dogs on the hike was also a big question mark for me.  I read in some places that the trail was a popular one for owners/dogs….and then contradictory advice that dogs could not make it through some of the climbs.  So, we were on the fence as if to take J-Wow.  In the end, we decided to take her, and it worked out.  But, not without a few caveats.

JJ was tough as nails throughout the whole hike.

One of the main reasons for starting this blog was to inform others on what to expect on hikes.  I rely on the internet when researching new trails a lot, and always appreciate the help.  I am not sure why, since it is such a popular hike, that in heading down to Dragon’s Tooth, we were very unsure of what to expect.  So, in the next excerpt, I will take the VVAT readers through a quick rundown of the trail.  I will not include topography and vegetation sightings (other blogs do that so much better than I ever could!) ….but a very brief synopsis of what to expect.

The parking lot for Dragon’s Tooth is located right off Route 311 in Catawba, VA.  It is about 4 miles South of the parking lot for McAfee Knob (my research told me the two hikes share the same parking lot…not true.  You could hike one to the other, since they are both on the AT.  But, it is about 13 miles on the AT between the two, which is more of two day event.  For day hikers, each has its own parking lot.)  Plan to arrive early….we arrived around 10:00, with few spaces left in the parking lot.  People began to create their own spots along the road once the lot filled up….which is was when we were exiting.

Billy and JJ getting ready to get thier ‘hike’ on!

There are two ‘glorified’ port a johns above the parking lot and a map at the entrance to the hike.  It gives strong warnings about being prepared for the hike….and that it would take at least 2 hours to get to the ‘tooth’.  We scoffed at that, since it was only supposed to be 2.4 miles!  Little did we know.  But, we agreed with the other notices about having ample water and wearing the proper footwear and clothes!  Very important on a hike like this.  Take more water than you think you need, and by all means wear SHOES and socks!

Shortly into the hike, you have the option of heading to the Boy Scout Connector trail that is listed at .4 miles, which then connects you into the AT and the eventually up to the ‘tooth’.  We opted for the Dragons Tooth trail because it looked shorter.  Again, the information on this was sketchy…so we went with our gut instinct.  Next time, maybe we will try the connector trail to gauge the distance, and make the hike more of a ‘loop’.

Billy surveying the scene

The hike consists of two sections.  The first section (the Dragon’s tooth trail)  is a series of switchbacks and stream crossings with a few notable elevation gains up the mountain.  At about 1.8 miles into the hike, (the map says 1.7….our GPS read 1.8, so pretty close here) there is a flat section with traces of past campsites.  This is also the area where the AT meets the Dragon’s Tooth trail.  (So those hikers opting for the BS connector would end up here too).  There is a sign pointing you towards the ‘tooth’ with the warning of the difficult and rocky terrain ahead.    That sign was correct about one thing….it was difficult and rocky…..but it was also about a mile longer than it listed.  Making that section all that much harder.

  As this part of the hike is all on the AT, we met up with the white blazes quite often.  Never before on an AT hike, have I seen such creative placements of the paint stripes:Because the hike went over, under and around, arrows even had to be added to the mix!

And then you encounter a few of these challenging climbs:

And now a word on dogs.  It can be done, and J-Wow did great.  But, your dog needs to be either small enough to lift and pass…..or able to go off leash in a few instances and able to get up the rocks themselves.  I think you are putting yourself in danger if you try and keep the dog on the leash and climb with them.   This is the hardest section for dogs.

You finally make it to the top of the rock scramble, then you walk back behind the rocks, and it is another .1 miles to the ‘tooth’.  The rock formations are intimidating and beautiful at the top, which made up for the views being underwhelming.  There were many nice areas to sit and picnic, which we did around the tooth….and for the adventurous in spirit. there were pathways to the top of the tooth itself.  During our hike, there were a number of college groups at the top and they were scattered all over the tooth itself.  So, we stayed down to the base and enjoyed the shade!

Lunch Break!

And then it was time to descend.  I felt the initial portion of the return was harder than the uphill, but we soon settled into a rhythm and made it down the mountain in pretty good time…..just ahead of a thunderstorm rolling in.  Over all, the hike was well marked, I am just surprised at the discrepancy of the distance marked versus the actual mileage.  To the vast majority of people who hike Dragon’s Tooth, this likely would not make a difference…but as our blog caters to families who often have young children, I want to make sure we are always accurate in our distances.  Because that extra couple miles can make a difference for kids.  JJ was a real trooper making it through this hike with minimal complaining, but it really was past his enjoyment zone.  Now that he has completed it, he feels proud.  But, the process was more than he bargained for!

Even though we were not fully prepared for how difficult and long Dragon’s Tooth is, we really enjoyed the hike.  And, now that it is finished and we know its length, we feel all that more accomplished in having hiked it!  I would recommend it for families with older children (8+) and those who have some experience in hiking.

We feel very accomplished to have completed Dragon’s Tooth as a family. It was hard, but rewarding!

Rantings  4.7 (out of 5) for Dragon’s Tooth”

Minnie: 5 “A great accomplishment to have hiked it as a family.  I liked the challenge of the rock scramble the awesome rock formations at the top!”

Mickey: 5 ” Rocks and Snakes!”  (Mickey and J-Wow were the only two of us to spot a snake…. a big long black snake.

Billy: 5 “I think it is the coolest hike I have ever done”

JJ: ???  I think it was really long and it really hurts your legs, so for that it is a 1….so do not do it!  But, it had some awesome rocks and some beautiful parts, which were really cool.  So really, I would give it a 4!

J-Wow:  4  “It was great fun to climb the rocks, but tiring.  I petered out at the end.  I think many of my 4 legged friends would do the same.  There were some good streams to cool off in at the beginning and end, which I always love!”

Massanutten Ridge Trail

The Massanutten Ridge Trail has great views of the Billy and JJ’s favorite snowboarding slopes!

Why, oh why have we not done the Massanutten Ridge Trail (MRT) before?

The rock where Mickey proposed to me, almost 13 years ago!

First off, it is very close to home.  Secondly, it is a really unique hike.  And for the third and perhaps most important reason of all:  about 100 yards off the entrance to the trail,  Mickey proposed to me.  So, in some respects, the MRT is our family origin!    This probably should have been the first hike we ever did, and we probably should have repeated each year (according to JJ on the anniversary of the proposal).  And yet, the first time we have ever done it at all was this past weekend.  However, in our defense, the proposal was well before we became hikers.   We had just come to the peak to watch the sunset.  The only hiking we did was up the stairs and about 100 feet off the trail to a beautiful clearing (there are many on this hike).  And a rock…..where I was offered and then accepted my very own rock!  But, then again, maybe the proposal thirteen years ago was a foreshadowing to our hiking family!

Why do I consider this newt cute….but snakes so scarey!

It has from time to time crossed our minds to check out the MRT. Yet, in  what I found while researching the trail has always left me a little leery.  First off, I could never fully ascertain the distance of the hike, or the overall feel of it.  And then further, there is this:  I think I remember it as practically a direct quote…..”be prepared to see snakes on the MRT.  They might be sunning themselves on rocks…..or hanging from trees”  Seriously?  The last thing I ever want to see is a snake hanging down from a tree on a hike.  That might make this hike lover hang up her boots forever.   Maybe subconsciously I have just always rejected the MRT because that quote, and its reality, remains so vivid in my mind!  However, I really am trying to turn over a new leaf with regards to fearing snakes.  As I ponder the number of times we have hiked (maybe 50) and compare that number to actual snake sightings (4), odds are pretty good that we will not have an encounter on any given hike.  So, I gathered up all my positive self talk, and yoga breathing techniques……and out we set on the MRT.  And sure enough  this time, no snakes sightings for us, either high nor low.  We saw a few newts, however.  But,  I found those to be cute.

Now that we have discovered The Massanutten Ridge Trail,  (or should I say re-discovered it)  it is definitely on our list to do again.  Maybe each August, as JJ suggested.  And may we never encounter those snakes in trees.  Or on the path.  Or sunning themselves on rocks.

To get to the MRT,  pass the police gate at the base of the mountain, and head into Massanutten Resort.   Continue up the mountain towards the ski slopes.  At about the snowtubing park,  turn right onto Del Webb drive, and follow it  as it winds up the mountain to a parking lot.   Follow the stairs up the hill, turn left and off you go, following the blue blazes.  The hike winds along the ridge of the Massanutten kettle bell.   At various places along the MRT, the hiker is treated to nice view of Massanutten Resort and the ski slopes to the southeast.   Billy and JJ are aspirational snowboarders, and they do most of their runs at Massanutten.  So, they really enjoyed the slopes from this vantage point, and they were able to find their favorite trails in the distance.

Mickey’s geography lesson

At about 1.5miles into the hike, a great view of Harrisonburg can be seen to the southwest.  If you are directionally gifted like Mickey, you can even pick out a number of landmarks.  I could only recognize the red roofs of buildings at JMU and Mole Hill in the distance.  He, however, was able to point out a lot to the boys….even the general vicinity of our house.

Billy and JJ enjoying the view on a break in the action

The hike progressively moves towards the top of the ski slopes and the radio towers.  In researching this hike, I found  conflicting information, as mentioned before.  It seemed to me  that the prevailing wisdom was that the MRT is a 2 mile hike out to the ski slopes and cell phone towers (making it 4 miles round trip).    However, when we got to the 2 mile mark, the slopes looked to be at least another 1.5 miles further, depending on how windy the trail gets.    I think the MRT is predominately used by residents of the mountain and guests of the resort.  And because the resort takes people to the drop off point, and then are directed to walk down the slopes to finish the hike, I can see why the MRT is reported as a 4 mile hike.

So at this point, the length of the MRT is till a bit of a mystery to virginiavinesandtrails, but one day we will clear it up for ourselves, and our faithful readers.  On this day, however,  we opted to turn around and keep our hike at 4  miles.  We were all a bit tired, and truth be told a bit grumpy.  Billy had just returned from a 4 day scout camp, and we all had stayed up late the night before with movie night.  Plus, we were running out of water, which is a major no no in hiking.  And, really we had only planned on a 4 miler, so we did want to push our luck.

Rocks abound on the Massanutten Ridge!

The Massanutten Ridge Trail hike has very little elevation change, which makes it a nice change of pace compared to most of the hikes we do.  However, by no means is this hike easy.  It is rocky throughout….and at about the one mile mark, we dubbed it a ‘baby bearfence’!    At points, it becomes a rock scramble for short periods of time and then goes back to just being ‘rocky’.  The terrain definitely keeps you engaged in the hike.  Be careful as you get further into the hike, and tired that you do not trip and fall on the rocks……keep your focus and balance.  We learned that the hard way.

J-Wow handled the rocks pretty well, but by the end, she was growing tired of them.  Whenever possible, she opted to go ‘around’, as opposed to ‘over’…so much so that it was quite obvious what she was doing.  I would say this was not the greatest hike for dogs…..because of the rocks, but also because there is no natural water source.    Since they are pretty much wearing a fur coat, it is always nice for them to encounter a mountain stream to cool off and grab a drink.  Our sweet girl was a trooper, but it was obvious she was towards the end of her limits for about the last half mile.  If you do take a dog on this hike, be sure to factor in the water the dog will need with how much you bring overall.

As with most hikes, The Massanutten Ridge Trail would be a great one to do in the fall.  It is on our list next time as a   training hike for Old Rag.  Billy is thinking he wants to attempt Old Rag sometime in the next year, which is quite an undertaking.   While the MRT does not have the elevation change of Old Rag, if we did the entire 8 mile loop, it gets close to it in distance…..and it has the continuous rocky terrain that is so challenging with Old Rag.  We plan to pack enough water, and make it all the way to the slopes (and back!)

Mickey had to resort to carrying JJ at the end to improve his mood!

Rantings  3.4 (out of 5) for Massanutten Ridge Trail

JJ – 2.  (Disclaimer, he was tired and grumpy this day!)  “It was too long, and the rocks made me mad that they were not full scrambles.  They were just annoying!”

Billy – 4.  “It would probably be a 5 if I was not so tired.  I liked seeing the snowboarding slopes”

Minnie -4 “Really unique.  I liked the views on both sides.  And it was fun to show the boys where Mickey proposed to me”

Mickey – 4  “A good mix….it was difficult, but not too many steep climbs.  And I liked the views of Harrisonburg.”

J-Wow – 3 “There were lots of critters in the woods, but no water source to cool off in.  I got really hot.  The rocks were fun at first, then I agree with JJ!”