North Mountain Trail and Andy Layne Trail

13.2 miles
The yellow-blazed North Mountain Trail and the Andy Layne Trail (also blazed yellow) form a loop hike with the A.T. of 28.7 miles. These two trails follow an old A.T. route that was used after the Trail was removed from Sawtooth Ridge and Catawba Mountain in the 1970s. When the present Trail route was reestablished on these ridges in the 1980s, this old route was designated as the North Mountain Trail. After a permanent corridor was obtained for the northern 2.3 miles of this trail, the Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club renamed this section the Andy Layne Trail, in memory of a former overseer of the section of the Trail here across the Catawba Valley. In the future, the RATC plans to relocate the Andy Layne Trail onto its permanent corridor.

From the intersection with the A.T. at Scorched Earth Gap, the Andy Layne Trail descends south to Catawba Creek. Across this stream, the trail continues to a parking area just off VA 779. Across VA 779, opposite this parking area, the North Mountain Trail begins and ascends to the crest of North Mountain, which it follows for nine miles.
VA 779 (in the Catawba Valley) serves as a southern trailhead for the Andy Layne Trail and as a northern trailhead for the North Mountain Trail. Ample parking is available here. Limited parking for the North Mountain Trail is found near its southern end on VA 311.

These trails do not have shelters, but a seasonal spring provides water for a primitive campsite 5.3 miles from the northern end. The 2.3 miles between Scorched Earth Gap and VA 779 are on private land where neither camping nor campfires are permitted. The rest of the route is in .

Side Trail Description, North to South

Miles Data
0.0 From Scorched Earth Gap (2,460 feet), yellow-blazed Andy Layne Trail descends steeply right (west) into Catawba Valley.
0.2 Cross small, unreliable stream below huge rock tooth.
0.3 Pass old homesite on left, with rock chimney still standing. Descend steadily to left of stream, crossing it three times in next 0.7 mile.
0.6 Pass to left of logged area. Cross stream, and descend along stream.
0.7 Cross stream again, and descend on dirt road.
0.9 Bear to right on dirt road, and cross stream for third time. In 100 yards, pass open area on left, site of sawmill. To right of trail are remains of old log cabin.

1.1 Cross fence on stile, and continue descent through woods.
l.3 Emerge from woods at bottom of valley.
1.4 Cross Catawba Creek on bridge. Follow creek right, downstream, at edge of pasture.
l.6 Cross fence on ladder stile near huge, double-trunked sycamore tree. Turn left, and follow fence through pasture.
l.7 Cross Little Catawba Creek on bridge. Pass through wooden gate, or cross fence on platform stile, and ascend hill through woods.
l.9 Descend 50 yards through open area. Turn right, and climb hill.

2.l Reach wooded hilltop, and descend westward.
2.3 Trail reaches gravel parking lot off VA 779. This is the end of the Andy Layne Trail. The North Mountain Trail (also yellow-blazed) begins on the other side of VA 779, ascending gently on old logging road.
2.8 Enter dense stand of young hardwoods.
3.1 Ascend rock steps with small stream at base. Beyond, climb steeply on sometimes rough, rocky footpath.
3.7 Turn left, follow crest of North Mountain. Side trail leads right 4.5 miles to Stone Coal Gap. For next 9.0 miles, the trail follows the crest of North Mountain, frequently climbing and descending.

5.3 Side trail descends steeply left 250 yards to unreliable spring.
6.0 Descend 15 feet of naturally layered rock steps.
6.5 In sag, Turkey Trail (often obscured by growth) leads right, approximately 1.5 miles, to USFS 224.
9.3 In sag, Grouse Trail leads right about one mile to USFS 224.
10.3 In gap, Deer Trail (often obscured by growth) leads right about one mile to USFS 224.
11.5 Pass small rock outcrop with views to right of Sinking Creek Mountain and Craig Creek Valley and, to the left, part of Cove Mountain.

11.8 Descend northern end of North Mountain. In 0.1 mile, pass rock outcrop with limited views, then cross sloping summit, and continue descent, sometimes by switchbacks. Huckleberries abound in late summer.
l2.7 Reach VA 311(1,780 feet), in narrow gap between North and Cove mountains. Turn left, and follow VA 311.
12.8 Pass gas station and grocery store on right.
l2.9 Turn right onto VA 624.

13.2 Trail ends at intersection with A.T. (1,790 feet).