|
|
|
|
|
||
Dragon's Back Mountain Bike Trail
Salem, Virginia
MTB TRAIL STATS
Avg Rating:   |
3 trail reviews |
|
Status: updated 5/1/11 by RoadWarrior |
Difficulty:  Advanced |
| Length: 12 miles | Global Rank: #368 |
| Tread: Singletrack | Configuration: Network |
| Ridden: 15 | Wishlist: 6 |
| Elevation Gain/Loss: +5,280/-5,287 ft |
Directions:
To view directions to Dragon's Back mountain bike trail, please login. If
you don't have an account, sign up now: it's free, only takes a minute, and gives you access to tons of other rad features.
Description: 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.
Description: 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.
added on July 23, 2007 by 
SIMILAR TRAILS
Riders who liked this mountain bike trail also liked:Douthat State Park in Millboro
Angler's Ridge in Danville
I.C. Dehart Trail System in Woolwine
TRAIL REVIEWS review this trail
reviewed by RoadWarrior on May 2, 2011
Trail is open, clear, well signed, and blazed, with maps at all TH's. Dragons Back is part of the 28 mile North Mountain Trail System. All the trails are signed as more, or most difficult. Great trail for strong and advanced level riders. Trails up the mtn are steep but rideable, except for some of the switchbacks. Top of the mtn is classic Va. mtn top riding, rock mixed with sweet singletrack. Tread width ranges from 18" to none. Probably the best TH is Dragons Tooths, which is on Rt 311 before the forest rd. Got family that doesn't ride? Send them hiking to Dragons Tooth while you go ride the back. Group I rode with had everything from SS Ridged to Full Sup. We all had a blast.
* Review edited 5/2/2011
Similar Trail: Carvins Cove is near by, and has a large variety of trails.
reviewed by cjk133 on November 2, 2007
dragon's back is a ride where you must accept your bicycle only as a means to facilitate mobility. There are hike-a-bikes, trees, rocks...no one cleans this trail from beginning to end. It's backwoods, it's best in fall or spring, and it can easily take up most of your day to ride it out. Take several lunches, and 11 bucks for the home place restaurant 1 mile east on 311. If you rode the ridge, you're gonna want all you can eat mashed potatoes. I prefer to park at dragon's tooth, cross the street and board the ridge from there. Trail head is hard to find...just keep looking. It's there. Descend the ridge at 1 of 4 places and ride wilderness road back...the return on the road can make for a long grind if you rode the whole way out, but not so bad if you have some legs. It's an excellent single speed trail, as alot stands to break on a geared bike and the ridge traverse is pretty mono-tonic speed wise.
* Review edited 11/2/2007
reviewed by aabiking on July 26, 2007
Last ime I rode this trail was in January and there were hugh trees across most of Grouse trail. The trail has really went down hill. All the attention is being paid to Carvins Cove which is an incredible ride for all levels if you know where to go. Talk to the guys at Just The Right Gear for their recomendations for where to ride but be sure to let them know your skill level and what you are looking for.
More 