Dragon's Tooth

The Dragon's Tooth Trailhead is located in the Jefferson National Forest near Blacksburg, Virginia. This is a steep mountain trail that connects to the Appalachain Trail after about one and a half miles of steep switchback trail. Follow the Appalachain Trail north about a mile to Dragon's Tooth which is located right on the Appalachain Trail. You will know when your getting close because the trail turns to rock climbing. We had to portage our packs and dogs up 4 to 5 foot stone cliffs to reach the Tooth. This goes on for nearly a half of a mile. Through hikers really struggle on this section of the Appalachain Trail. There really wasn't a trail, just small rock cliffs marked with white paint blazes.

The lower trail is a hardwood forest where we saw a four foot Black Snake cross the trail in front of us, but behind the Jack Russell Terriers who were far ahead on the trail. You will cross several small streams that Nitro tested for proper mud density. As you reach the Appalachain Trail, you will find a maze of trails all coming togeather. The Appalachain Trail sign is clearly marked. As you head toward the Tooth, you will notice the trail changing from dirt to a dry rocky sand. The trees turn to pine and eventully to shrubs. After climbing the many stone cliffs, you will enter an area of large stone boulders. This is Dragon's Tooth. The Jack Russell Terriers greeted the many through hikers as we ate lunch and lingered on the Tooth. The return trip was steep and rocky. Virginia has some of the rockiest trails we've ever hiked, but it is a great place to hike. This was a difficult hike of five miles, but it had beautiful views of the valleys below. The hike took five hours to complete, and it was dry and hot. Make sure you have plenty of water because there is no water source at the higher elevations.