Bikepacking in the Blue Ridge Mountains | Day 3 of 3 | Down to the River

First time bikepacking Day 3 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 3 Route Description //

Departing Comer’s Rock, we descended nearly eight hundred feet on National Forest Road 57 to Dry Run Gap, where we turned North on State Highway 21.

After plunging 400 feet in one mile on Highway 21, we headed East again, this time on CC Camp Road.  We climbed alongside the East Fork for three miles and then dropped down two miles and several hundred feet where we connected with the Highlands Horse Trail again.

The geography of this eastern tract of the Mount Rogers National Recreation area is at lower elevation than the western portions, with most peaks struggling to break three thousand feet in elevation.

The Highlands Horse Trail took us another fourteen twisty miles, ending with a sharp ascent and then descent on the south face of Cold Ridge, depositing us on the banks of the New River.

From there, we took the New River Trail ten gently downward sloping miles along the river, crossing from the west bank to the east bank on the Austinville trestle, midway.  We passed under Interstate 77, which was a stark reminder of our return to civilization, before ending our journey near Foster Falls at the New River State Park.


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".

#simplymountainbiking #SMB #mountainbiking