Shenandoah National Park

Posted by Rose.Sherry September 22, 2020

Shenandoah National Park

September 17, 2020

We arrived at Shenandoah National Park and picked out campsite A91 for its length and level pad. No hook-ups here so we are basically boondocking, no electricity, only stored water in the tank. A cold snap tested our mettle with nightly temperatures in the 40s. We used the generator to recharge the batteries after running the heat overnight at 55 degrees (propane runs the heater but electricity is used for the fan that blows the heat in).

At check-in the ranger recommended a few hikes, and since it was calling for rain on Friday we opted to hike to Hawksbill Summit today.

Here is what a trailhead marker looks like in Shenandoah National Park, and yes the Appalachian Trail does go through the park and we did hike along parts of it here. I found the embossed metal trailheads difficult to read, so I would look at them thru my camera and zoom in, stupid aging eyes.

As you can see from the ponchos, the call for rain tomorrow came in early as we hit the trail.

parts of this hike were very rocky

Here is Jim on that rocky trail.

We also saw an owl and two deer on the trail which was a treat.

See if you can find the owl, his coloring is very much like the trees, if he did not fly from one tree to the other I doubt I would have spied him.

The rain stopped by the time we reached the top, but the clouds still covered the views.

But it did not keep us from smiling up in the clouds.

September 18, 2020

Friday arrived and so did the morning fog. The fog really was heavy and the drive up Skyline Drive was ridiculous. You could see about 10 feet in front of you. And since they were repaving part of the road it was without lines only yellow markers down the middle of the road.

please go to our youtube to see fog video Jim created

We made it to the parking area for the Rose River Trail, the wind was whipping up and I asked another couple if they just finished the hike, but they were also just going to start it. Jim heard the tree behind the parked truck creaking in the gusty winds, and could see the vertical crack in it shifting as the winds blew. He decided to move the truck. We were then questioned by a lone guy in a jeep if we were going to hike, and we said yes. He stayed in his car and looked like he was trying to check the weather with his phone. As Jim and I and the other couple started to walk to the trailhead to begin the hike, the jeep guy waved as he drove off. His loss, the hike was great, and getting back on that foggy road seemed crazy.

Here is a picture of the mystical fog in the forest at the start of the trail.

Cascades ran all along the Rose River, making it my favorite trail (and the name is nice too)

The clouds cleared and we reached the Rose River Falls. Cascades leading up to the falls were also great, providing great water sounds. Here is a video of the falls for you to hear.

We sat on the rocks and had lunch at the falls

The trail then follows the Hog Branch Camp Run, which also had some cascades to delight.

Which lead to more falls and 2 happy hikers

Jim had enough of the uphill climbs and waited at the bridge while I went a quarter mile uphill to see Dark Hallow Falls:

It did not disappoint.

This hike was my favorite.

September 19, 2020

Saturday, Joe & Paul came to visit! We did a 4 mile walk in the woods on the Elkwallow Trail

Paul prepared a wonderful picnic lunch

He grew the cucumbers and tomatoes for the salad, as well as the eggplant for the Baba Ganoush. Now that is some fresh picnic goodness! We also noshed on delicious muffaletta sandwiches along with strawberries and plums for dessert. Thanks again Joe & Paul for coming out to see us.

Here are the four of us. Yes, four, Jim's reflection is on our Reflection.

September 20, 2020

Sunday time to go to town for church, and get some chores done. Flu shots at CVS (no photo)

and refilled one of the propane tanks. Now with chores out of the ways it's time for another hike. Today we head out to Rapidan Camp, the weekend retreat of Herbert Hoover. It's got 3 stream crossings and a falls before you get to the camp.