In between the Blue Ridge Parkway
and Shenandoah National
Park, we stayed at Natural
Chimneys Park
about 30 minutes from the end of the Blue
Ridge Parkway. The weather was chilly and rainy,
so having a campsite with electricity was nice. The unique geological feature
of this county park is the natural chimneys which were easy to see even on a
dreary day.
Then we headed to Shenandoah National Park, which begins where the Blue Ridge Parkway
ends. The day started foggy (see the road in the picture below), but the
forecast called for clearing in the afternoon.
Shenandoah National Park
was established with the goal being its “greatest single feature”: Skyline Drive – a
105-mile road skirting the tops of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Like the Blue Ridge Parkway,
Skyline Drive
goes up and over the crest of the mountain range with ample overlooks and
hiking trails along the way. Many overlooks were obscured by fog, but
occasionally the fog would clear and we’d get a view.
The fog didn’t clear in the
afternoon, so we decided to do a waterfall hike rather than a mountain top view
hike. Bill opted for the 4.2-mile Rose River Loop Trail. The first 3 miles are
a Moderate-Strenuous trail much of which is along a beautiful cascading stream
leading to Dark Hollow Falls.
The last mile of the trail is going up an easy fire road. Barbara took the fire
road both ways and met Bill at Dark
Hollow Falls.
Bill got glorious views and
sounds of the cascade while he hiked. Many people focus on the waterfalls which
were beautiful, but the continuous cascades were spectacular.
Barbara enjoyed the wildlife
along her route.
And we both enjoyed Dark Hollow
Falls.
Barbara was pretty sore and
tired, but Bill squeezed in one more 2-mile hike for the day to see the sunset
at Hawkbill Mountain.
Campground: Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park
Skyline Drive miles
traveled: 54 miles
