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Shenandoah National Park, Virginia (View Photos):
The lands that now constitute Shenandoah National Park received heavy use by humans prior to achieving National Park status in 1935. From a distance, contemplating the endless forested ridges of Shenandoah National Park, it seems hard to believe that this wilderness was logged heavily from the 1700's and that generations of mountain settlers once called it home. They left behind relics of their life and struggles that can be seen to this day, including log cabins, fences, and stone walls.
To the good fortune of future visitors, the state of Virginia acquired over 1000 tracts of land from these mountaineers and then donated the entire parcel to the U.S. government as a gift. The government then proceeded to declare the land a National Park. Over the decades, nature has slowly reclaimed these mountains. Over 40% of the park is federally designated wilderness.
Skyline Drive is a 105 mile scenic road that follows along the backbone of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making the park easily accessible by automobile. Frequent pullouts along the drive offer fantastic mountain views, with the Shenandoah Valley visible to the west and the foothills visible to the east. Hazy air caused by pollution from various sources in the eastern U.S. can significantly reduce visibility. If you're fortunate enough to explore Skyline Drive when the mountains are not socked in, then you can savor the beautiful views from one overlook after another.
Along Skyline Drive, innumerable trailheads provide a gateway to the forested wilderness of Shenandoah National Park. The Appalachian Trail almost runs parallel with the road, making it easy to hike small sections of this venerable footpath. If possible, visits should be timed to coincide with the explosion of Mountain Laurel in the spring and superb foliage in autumn. Deer are common, although it is quite possible for people to run across the occasional black bear. The park features scenic waterfalls and idyllic streams surrounded by forests of hemlock, oak, maple, hickory, and many others.
Unfortunately, this mountain refuge is under siege by a number of threats which have already diminished the natural ecosystem. Heavy pollutants travelling from power generation stations in the Ohio River Valley have resulted in elevated ozone levels and acid pollutants that harm water sources and plant tissue. Non native insects like the Asian hemlock wooly adelgid (similar to an aphid) have devastated many of the hemlock trees. These grave issues are a stern reminder of the fragile condition of this park's beauty.
Recommended Day Hikes:
Little Stony Man Trail
Round Trip Length: 4.0 miles
Trailhead location: The southern end of the Hughes Gap parking area at milepost 38.8 on Skyline Drive
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: Hike down a hill, passing some bathrooms and then catch the Appalachian Trail (Southbound). Take the AT to the summit of Stony Man Mountain, the second highest peak in the park. From here, you can soak in unobstructed views of the Shenandoah Valley.
Story of the Forest Trail
Round Trip Length: 1.8 miles
Trailhead location: Begins just up the entrance road across from the parking lot at the Byrd Visitor Center (milepost 51).
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: There are lots of deer spotting opportunities on this self-guided interpretative trail that exemplifies the process of forest succession.
White Oak Canyon Trail
Round Trip Length: 4.6 miles
Trailhead location: Parking area at milepost 42.6
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Attractions: A hike through lush forest to Upper Whiteoak Falls where the water pours through a narrow canyon. Return the same way you came in.
Buck Hollow Trail
Round Trip Length: 2.9 miles
Trailhead location: Parking area at milepost 33.5
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: Get away from the crowds on this quiet hike as it follows a stream and descends into a densely wooded hollow.
Doyles River Trail
Round Trip Length: 2.7 miles
Trailhead location: Parking area at milepost 81.1
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: This hike treats you to two cozy waterfalls surrounded by a canopy of forest.
Meadow Spring Trail
Round Trip Length: 2.8 miles
Trailhead location: Parking area at milepost 33.5
Level of Difficulty: Strenuous
Attractions: At the parking area, cross the road and ascend up the steep trail until it intersects with the Appalachian Trail. Take the AT (North) until you reach Marys Rock summit where you will get excellent views of Thornton Gap. Return the same way you came.
Various trails in the Big Meadows area
Round Trip Length: up to you
Trailhead location: milepost 51, Byrd Visitor Center
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Attractions: From the visitor center, cross over the other side of Skyline Drive and meander at your leisure along unmarked footpaths through an open scenic meadow with native grasses.
Recommended Points of Interest:
Big Meadows (milepost 51 on Skyline Drive); Hazel Mountain Overlook (milepost 33); Big Run Overlook (milepost 81.2); Pinnacles Overlook (milepost 35.2); Dark Hollow Falls (parking area for the trailhead located at milepost 50); Crescent Rock Overlook (milepost 44.5); Bearface Mountain parking area (milepost 56.4 - from here, a 0.8 mile uphill scramble take you to a spectacular 360 degree view of the park and surrounding landscape).
Helpful travel tips and observations
The park has many amenities along Skyline Drive, including visitor centers, campgrounds, restautants, gift shops, lodging, and even a gas station. Best time for fall foliage is late October and the first few days of November. Mountain Laurel blooms in mid-to-late June. Collisions with animals on Skyline Drive are common, so use caution when driving this wonderful, but precipitous and winding road.
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More Photos: Page 1 > Page 2
Appalachian scenery from the Buck Hollow Overlook along Skyline Drive, (June 2008)
A Mountain Laurel bush along Skyline Drive, (June 2008)
The wide open expanse of Big Meadows from Skyline Drive, (June 2008)
Mountain Laurel along the Appalachian Trail, (June 2006)
Extensive view from the terminus of the Little Stony Man trail, (June 2006)
Extensive view from the terminus of the Little Stony Man trail, (June 2006)
Mountain Laurel in bloom from the Thorofare Mountain Overlook along Skyline Drive, (June 2008)
A view of the sprawling Big Meadows area, (June 2008)
More Photos: Page 1 > Page 2
