Sawtooth Ridge to Dragon’s Tooth Parking 113-Mile Hike #5

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8.9 or 10.9 miles, moderate terrain
6 miles from Roanoke, 4-mile shuttle, $.50 carpool fee

The hike begins at the McAfee parking lot and goes south on the AT away from McAfee. The many humps of Catawba Mountain are called Sawtooth Ridge. The AT drops down to the open fields of Beckner’s Gap. Between VA-785 and VA-624, the trail crosses Sandstone Ridge. Beyond 624 the trail heads uphill, passin the Boy Scout Trail. It then reaches Rawie’s Rest, a knife-like rocky outcrop, with good views. Continue on to Lost Spectacles Gap, where a blue-blazed trail on right leads down to the Dragon’s Tooth parking lot. At this point you can choose whether to continue up the AT and visit Dragon’s Tooth for 2 bonus miles before descending to the Dragons Tooth Parking Lot.