Bikepacking in the Blue Ridge Mountains | Day 2 of 3 | Rebirth

Описание: First time bikepacking day 2 of 3. Jay and Eddie take on the rugged Iron Mountain Trail and learn a thing or two about bikepacking - and themselves!

Overview //
Trail Start: Damascus, VA
Trails Used: Iron Mountain Trail, Virginia Highlands Horse Trail, New River Trail
Major Locations: Mount Rogers National Recreation Area & the New River
Trail End: New River Trail State Park
Distance: 83.5 miles
Minimum Elevation: 1911’
Maximum Elevation: 4560’
Total ascent: 14729’
Bike packing rigs: Trek Farley & RSD Mayor

Day 2 Route Description //

We departed Cherry Tree shelter, heading along the ridgeline to Flat Top Mountain at four thousand four hundred feet (4400’) where we had a short climb to Flat Top’s sister peak, Hurricane Mountain.  From Hurricane Mountain it was a rapid descent down a spur to Homestead Road.

Traveling east on Homestead Road took us to Troutdale Highway (VA 16).  A detour North on the highway was necessary to avoid sections of trail that were in the Racoon Branch Wilderness, which is off limits to mountain bikes. 

We opted for a six mile downhill section of pavement riding to Sugar Grove, VA to resupply.

After resupply, we joined back up with the Highlands Horse Trail.  This section of the Highlands Horse Trail meanders along the North Slope of an ill-defined ridgeline with three peaks; Little Mountain, Horne Knob, and Snake Den Mountain. 

At Dry Creek, we detoured around another section of trail off limits to mountain bikes by heading out to Shop Hollow and picking up Hale Lake Road, heading back into the mountains.  Hale Lake Road climbs more than a thousand feet over three miles where it intersects National Forest Road 57 at Blue Spring Gap.

We descended on National Forest Road 57 and stopped at Hale Lake to get water. Finally, we ascended again to get to our destination for the night - Comer’s Rock.


This video should be considered for entertainment purposes only, any action you take based on the content of this video is strictly "at your own risk".

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