Post by GaliWalker on Oct 24, 2017 6:48:01 GMT -8
This year my daughter started school at the University of Virginia, just a stone’s throw away from Shenandoah National Park, which means that Shenandoah is going to become an even closer friend than before. The first of these friendly visits took place this past weekend. I did two hikes in the park, sandwiched around an evening/morning at UVA, spent with my daughter.
White Oak Canyon – Hawksbill Mountain – Cedar Run (Oct 21, 2017)
10mi, 3300ft elevation gain, 7hr 50min
The White Oak Canyon – Cedar Run loop is one of the more popular hikes in the park. The lower end of the hike is anchored at the base of the main Shenandoah range, while the upper end hangs off Skyline Drive, near Hawksbill Gap. Hikers start the loop from either end, which means that there is zero chance for solitude; the crowds catch one in a pincer move.
Since I prefer the old fashioned way of working my way up a mountain rather than heading down, at least to start with, I began my hike from the lower trailhead. My aim was to begin as early as I could to have at least some time alone with the park, so I left Pittsburgh at 2:00am. 5hrs later, after getting my National Park permit, I was on my way, hiking up the White Oak Canyon Trail. It was just bright enough for me to not have to use my headlamp.
As I reached the first of the waterfalls and set up for photography, the canyon heights were being kissed by the morning sun. I knew I had to work fast because photography would become a challenge once the sunlight reached the valley floor. All told, I was able to tuck in two waterfalls before crowds and sunshine began to play havoc with my picture taking.
Magical spot
After admiring the big Upper White Oak Canyon Falls I crossed the run and headed up the wide and moderately graded White Oak Canyon Fire Trail. I took this up to the Hawksbill Gap parking area on Skyline Drive, which was absolutely crawling with people.
I crossed Skyline Drive and picked up the Lower Hawksbill Trail. In a little less than a mile I reached the summit of Hawksbill Mountain. The views from there were great, although the photographer in me would have preferred more pleasing lighting than what the harsh midday sun was providing.
After a little interlude atop the summit I made my way back down to Hawksbill Gap, re-crossed the road, and continued my descent, this time along the Cedar Run Trail. Pretty grottos and idyllic woods provided company as I made my way back to the car.
The evening was spent with my daughter at Charlottesville.
Robertson Mountain – Old Rag (Oct 22, 2017)
12.3mi, 3900ft elevation gain, 7hr 40min
Old Rag Mountain is the most popular hiking destination in Shenandoah National Park. Fantastic views from a rocky summit, comprised of billion year old granite, and a prolonged scramble atop the summit ridge, makes for an unparalleled draw. In the past, I’ve been able to sidestep most of the crowds by starting really early. Unfortunately, this time I was only able to reach the parking lot by 11:00am. The 200+ car parking lot was nearly full; by the time I parked there was only one free spot left!
I zigzagged my way past boisterous thrill seekers for 0.8mi, until I reached the upper (closed) parking area. As everyone else turned left, I exited stage right, up the Weakley Hollow Fire Road. My plan was to forgo Old Rag, at least for the time being. Instead, I would climb Robertson Mountain via the east shoulder, then drop off the southeastern side of the mountain, and only then head up Old Rag Mountain. This would make for a bigger and much more satisfying loop.
A little over a mile of relatively flat travel got me to the Robertson Mountain Trail. This trail was much steeper: 1,700ft of elevation gain over 1.5mi to the summit. Throughout this stretch I was in the woods, but the somewhat narrow ridge afforded filtered views of Old Rag and Corbin Mountain, which kept things interesting. I quite enjoyed this part.
Robertson Mountain’s summit had smashing views, including that of the entire length of White Oak Canyon, all the way up to Hawksbill Mountain, which I had hiked the day before. Initially, I had the summit area to myself and messed around with taking some selfies. This can be tedious business, so I was glad when I was joined on the summit by a youngster. Thereafter, I was able to use him as my model, to provide the ‘human interest’ factor I desired.
White Oak Canyon to Hawksbill Mountain
I continued along the Robertson Mountain Trail for 0.6mi until I hit the Old Rag Fire Road. I took this much wider and more moderately graded trail back down into the valley, to intersect with the Saddle Trail, which would take me up the southwest shoulder of Old Rag Mountain.
I endured the afternoon crowds as I went up towards Old Rag’s summit, smug in the knowledge that I’d already got one mostly people-free summit under my belt, and would most likely get the second one in a much more manageable state.
Robertson Mountain
Old Rag’s summit was crowded, but it wasn’t that bad. I was able to find a relatively quieter corner for myself, from which I could gaze with a kindly eye at the antics of my bipedal cousins, as well as some entertaining ravens.
I left the summit area around 4:45pm. Since I had approached the summit from the south, I had yet to do the ridge scramble, and I did not want to do that in the dark. I kept getting sidetracked by the ever improving lighting, but I was able to make the car by 6:45pm, just before full darkness fell.
Under the chockstone
Golden light on Robertson Mountain and Shenandoah
The long 4.5hr drive back to Pittsburgh wasn’t a lot of fun, but at least I had two days of fantastic memories to draw comfort from.
White Oak Canyon – Hawksbill Mountain – Cedar Run (Oct 21, 2017)
10mi, 3300ft elevation gain, 7hr 50min
The White Oak Canyon – Cedar Run loop is one of the more popular hikes in the park. The lower end of the hike is anchored at the base of the main Shenandoah range, while the upper end hangs off Skyline Drive, near Hawksbill Gap. Hikers start the loop from either end, which means that there is zero chance for solitude; the crowds catch one in a pincer move.
Since I prefer the old fashioned way of working my way up a mountain rather than heading down, at least to start with, I began my hike from the lower trailhead. My aim was to begin as early as I could to have at least some time alone with the park, so I left Pittsburgh at 2:00am. 5hrs later, after getting my National Park permit, I was on my way, hiking up the White Oak Canyon Trail. It was just bright enough for me to not have to use my headlamp.
As I reached the first of the waterfalls and set up for photography, the canyon heights were being kissed by the morning sun. I knew I had to work fast because photography would become a challenge once the sunlight reached the valley floor. All told, I was able to tuck in two waterfalls before crowds and sunshine began to play havoc with my picture taking.
Magical spot
After admiring the big Upper White Oak Canyon Falls I crossed the run and headed up the wide and moderately graded White Oak Canyon Fire Trail. I took this up to the Hawksbill Gap parking area on Skyline Drive, which was absolutely crawling with people.
I crossed Skyline Drive and picked up the Lower Hawksbill Trail. In a little less than a mile I reached the summit of Hawksbill Mountain. The views from there were great, although the photographer in me would have preferred more pleasing lighting than what the harsh midday sun was providing.
After a little interlude atop the summit I made my way back down to Hawksbill Gap, re-crossed the road, and continued my descent, this time along the Cedar Run Trail. Pretty grottos and idyllic woods provided company as I made my way back to the car.
The evening was spent with my daughter at Charlottesville.
Robertson Mountain – Old Rag (Oct 22, 2017)
12.3mi, 3900ft elevation gain, 7hr 40min
Old Rag Mountain is the most popular hiking destination in Shenandoah National Park. Fantastic views from a rocky summit, comprised of billion year old granite, and a prolonged scramble atop the summit ridge, makes for an unparalleled draw. In the past, I’ve been able to sidestep most of the crowds by starting really early. Unfortunately, this time I was only able to reach the parking lot by 11:00am. The 200+ car parking lot was nearly full; by the time I parked there was only one free spot left!
I zigzagged my way past boisterous thrill seekers for 0.8mi, until I reached the upper (closed) parking area. As everyone else turned left, I exited stage right, up the Weakley Hollow Fire Road. My plan was to forgo Old Rag, at least for the time being. Instead, I would climb Robertson Mountain via the east shoulder, then drop off the southeastern side of the mountain, and only then head up Old Rag Mountain. This would make for a bigger and much more satisfying loop.
A little over a mile of relatively flat travel got me to the Robertson Mountain Trail. This trail was much steeper: 1,700ft of elevation gain over 1.5mi to the summit. Throughout this stretch I was in the woods, but the somewhat narrow ridge afforded filtered views of Old Rag and Corbin Mountain, which kept things interesting. I quite enjoyed this part.
Robertson Mountain’s summit had smashing views, including that of the entire length of White Oak Canyon, all the way up to Hawksbill Mountain, which I had hiked the day before. Initially, I had the summit area to myself and messed around with taking some selfies. This can be tedious business, so I was glad when I was joined on the summit by a youngster. Thereafter, I was able to use him as my model, to provide the ‘human interest’ factor I desired.
White Oak Canyon to Hawksbill Mountain
I continued along the Robertson Mountain Trail for 0.6mi until I hit the Old Rag Fire Road. I took this much wider and more moderately graded trail back down into the valley, to intersect with the Saddle Trail, which would take me up the southwest shoulder of Old Rag Mountain.
I endured the afternoon crowds as I went up towards Old Rag’s summit, smug in the knowledge that I’d already got one mostly people-free summit under my belt, and would most likely get the second one in a much more manageable state.
Robertson Mountain
Old Rag’s summit was crowded, but it wasn’t that bad. I was able to find a relatively quieter corner for myself, from which I could gaze with a kindly eye at the antics of my bipedal cousins, as well as some entertaining ravens.
I left the summit area around 4:45pm. Since I had approached the summit from the south, I had yet to do the ridge scramble, and I did not want to do that in the dark. I kept getting sidetracked by the ever improving lighting, but I was able to make the car by 6:45pm, just before full darkness fell.
Under the chockstone
Golden light on Robertson Mountain and Shenandoah
The long 4.5hr drive back to Pittsburgh wasn’t a lot of fun, but at least I had two days of fantastic memories to draw comfort from.
