Elevation Gain: 650 ft Hike Time: 1.5 hours plus a half hour for lunch
With the mild temps in the middle of January we headed out to so some hiking in the Massanutten range just west of Front Royal VA. We decided to hike to Buzzard Rocks from the north this time. This shorter hike is less strenuous and a great family hike. The cliffs at Buzzard Rock drop over 100ft in places and provide beautiful valley views.
The Buzzard Rock North hike is a short and easy hike that has a great payoff with spectacular vistas from Buzzard Rock. Buzzard Rock is the high point of the cliffs that are visible from Fort Valley.
This is one of my favorite hikes in the southern section of SNP. The scenery is beautiful and the multiple falls and cascades through this gorge area are well worth the relatively short hike to see them. There are also some wonderful examples of old growth trees, particular ... more >>>
This was a nice hike. For the first half that follows the river is awesome. When I made it to the top of the first hill I was able to see a person kayaking and watched for a few minuets. The views from the trail and the overlooks you pass in the main picnic area are just great. T ... more >>>
Additional Campsite Info:
There is a small campsite located at the very top of the falls. Ascend up the wooden stairs and after the wooden bench overlook, a small offshoot trail will lead you to the top of the falls. A clearing for a 2 man tent can be found with a fire pit ... more >>>
The NPS has posted signs on Old Rag starting in mid-April 2010 the upper parking lot will be closed to the public. Once the upper lot is closed all hikers will need to park at the lot near the Old Rag Contact station. ... more >>>
What a great challenge! The snow must've been 6-8 inches and drifts were up to a foot. I Learned a valuable lesson on this hike When it snows, add at least an extra couple of hours on your estimated finish time. I went up there with 6 others and even at starting around 8:30 a ... more >>>
I've hiked this trail 8-9 times already. Make sure you have ice traction devices for your boots. We hiked it in the snow storm and it was quite a challenge! We also used hiking poles, it only took us 5hr 45 min from start to finish!
We went up and down the fire ro ... more >>>
I am fairly new to the N. Virginia area, and so wanted to find a place to hike. I haven't hiked in over 10 years, so I wanted something I could do, but was longer than a small nature trail. This was perfect! I had so much fun and loved the solitude. I went even further than I had ... more >>>
Over 150 Day Hikes In Virginia & West Virginia Over 20+ New Hikes Planned For 2010!
Skyline Drive SNP - Closed
February 6, 2010 - Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah National Park is closed along its entire route due to inclement weather. Call the park's recorded information line: (540) 999-3500, 4, 1 for the most current Skyline Drive status.
Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) Cabins
We receive many emails every year asking about the cabins in the GWNF and SNP. Maintained by PATC, the club has twelve public use cabins between $15-$40 per/night, as well as twenty PATC members only cabins. Reservations are generally taken up to two months in advance. Check out all the info below:
HikingUpward Geocaching
For the past five years HikingUpward has been been planting 'Find a Free Hiking Stick' geocaches on our hikes. This year we have also started placing traditional geocaches of small containers with log book, pen, and small exchange item, then registering them on Geocaching.com.
Check out Crow's Nest
(fredericksburg.com) - Its been described as an environmental jewel for good reason. The Crows Nest peninsula along Aquia and Accokeek creeks in Stafford, has pristine tidal marshes, abundant widlife and the most extensive mature coastal plain hardwood forest in the mid-Atlantic region ...
National Park Service Rangers to Lead Haunted History Hike
(wvnstv.com) - GLEN JEAN The Thurmond-Minden Trail in the New River Gorge National River in Fayette County winds through abandoned mining communities and some of the most picturesque scenery in southern West Virginia. National Park ...
Police seek suspects in Virginia Tech students deaths
(roanoke.com) - The bodies of two young Virginia Tech students from central Virginia were found Thursday in a remote area of Montgomery County, and authorities are considering their deaths to be a double homicide. ...
Old Rag to Require Reservations
(Madison News) - Impromptu visits to Old Rag Mountain will eventually be a thing of the past. Shenandoah National Parks latest plans for future parking changes ...
Teen fined $25,000 for cost of NH mountain rescue
(Associated Press) - CONCORD, N.H. A Massachusetts teenager who spent three nights alone on Mount Washington in April after he sprained an ankle and veered off marked trails has been fined. ...
Steward helps protect hikers as well as Old Rag Mountain
(Richmond Times-Dispatch) - MADISON -- In some areas of the country, the pink blossom of a lady's slipper orchid is a rare sight.
"If you're a local and just saw one" on Old Rag Mountain, "you would think they're like dandelions," said hiker Bob Look, 54. "In other parts of the country, people would go gaga ...
Legally Blind Hiker Found 6 Days After Going Missing
(All Headline News) - Snowden, VA (AHN) - A legally blind hiker who was lost on the Appalachian Trail for six days was found alive and healthy Saturday afternoon. ...
***Alert *** A.T. Hiker Found
(Backpacking Light) - UPDATE 5/2/09 4:07 PM: KEN KNIGHT WAS FOUND TODAY AND WALKED OUT UNDER HIS OWN STEAM. HE IS AT THE HOSPITAL AND MORE DETAILS WILL LIKELY FOLLOW ONCE WE HAVE THEM. - Addie Bedford ...
Make Your Own Dehydrated Backpack Meals
(www.trailcooking.com) - This is a great site for making your own dehydrated meals. Check out my blog about the same subject:
http://blueridgetreks.wordpress.com/2009/04/10/make-your-own-dehydrated-hiking-meals/ ...
Williams Island a hidden James River gem
(Richmond Times Dispatch) - In the summer, Pony Pasture Rapids is one of the James River Parks most popular destinations. Hundreds of exposed rocks create endless riffles and eddies for thousands of Richmonders to swim ...
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