[at-l] Questions about Hiking in Catawba area

[wb4pan at mindspring.com (Chase Davidson)]

MA & PA,
	311 to 220 and also the North mountain trail will be a challenge to 
an inexperienced hiker. North mountain although it is a ridge it 
constantly rolls up and down adding a surprising amount of vertical 
effort. Of course this is relative to how much ground you cover in a 
day. It sounds like you have plenty of time and could take it easy and 
enjoy this section with its wonderful views. The 311 parking lot has 
been vandalized many times in the past. I wonder if it is still as bad 
now. The Roanoke County police of this jurisdiction. The best parking 
is at Daleville / 220. there is a nice big parking lot with a 5 minuet 
AT connector trail running into it. The owner of the Four Pines Hostel 
might shuttle you so you could walk towards your car.  There is 
another parking area at the Andy Layne trail and there is the Dragons 
Tooth parking lot. One possibility is to leave your car at the Andy 
Layne trail so you can resupply as you pass through that parking lot 
toward North Mountain. These two are more remote than the 311 parking 
so I find it surprising that the vandals, to my knowledge only hit the 
311 parking lot. Maybe these kids have grown up or are in jail now 
lol. I think Spring Gobbler season will be in so wear orange and have fun.

chase AT99

Marielle and Paul wrote:

> In case someone missed this when I first asked this, I am posting this again.  We are leaving early next week and would appreciate any information anyone has.
> 
> ***********************
> 
> We are driving down to Virginia to hike for a 10 days or so, starting Easter weekend. We will be with friends who have only a little backpacking experience and who don't want to do big days or be out too long. 
> 
> Our plan is to do a 3 or 4 day trip and then do day hikes and/or overnights.  We originally thought the longer trip could start at Route 624 in the Catawba area and end up at US 220 near Troutville. We chose this area because Of Mac Afee's Knob and Tinker Cliffs and because we seem to recall that it wasn't too strenuous.
> 
> We now see by the map that it would be possible to do a loop  back to our starting spot by taking the Andy Lane Trail and North Mountain Trail.
> 
>  Does anyone have any information about the area?  What is condition of the North Mountain Trail and what about the campsite at its mid point that is mentioned in the AT guide book?  How safe are the trail heads for leaving vehicles? Also, does anyone have information about the Hostel that is on Route 624. It wasn't there during our 1999 thru hike.
> 
> PA (MA & PA 99)
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