Hollow Brook - Mt Weathers, Virginia


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Length Difficulty Streams Views Solitude Camping
3.8 mls
Hiking Time:
Elev. Gain:
Resources:
2.0 hours plus a half hour for lunch
860 ft
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From:

e.g. 12000 Government Center Parkway 22035 or Fairfax VA
Park on Morgans Mill Rd where the Appalachian Trail crosses.

This short out/back hike has a beautiful waterfall at the top of Hollow Brook, with a nice walk up to the summit of Buzzard Hill as well. Close to the Washington D.C. metro area, this is another hike that is perfect when you can't make it out to the bigger mountains. At only 3.8 miles, this is fun for all skill levels.

This hike is at its best in the spring, or after it's been raining.

From the parking on Morgan Mill Rd., start uphill/north on the white blazed Appalachian Trail (AT) as it climbs the first ridge. Begin descending into Reservoir Hollow on the other side of the ridge and arrive at the main stream in 0.7 miles.

Cross the stream, then immediately on the other side look for a small unblazed trail that follows the stream uphill. In 40 yards pass a small campsite, then continue to follow the trail for another 50 yards to the base of the main waterfall.

From the waterfall head back down to the AT and turn right/north. In another 0.3 miles pass the ruins of one of the many old homesteads in this section of the AT.

Continue following the AT, then in another 0.4 miles pass through a small saddle between ridges and another nice campsite.

Continue uphill for 0.2 miles passing yet another campsite on the right near the top of Buzzard Hill, and in 25 yards there is an unmarked trail that leads to the summit. Turn left and follow the trail for 50 yards to the main summit.

To return, retrace your route south on the AT back to the parking area on Morgan Mill Rd.

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Hiker Reviews For The Hollow Brook Hike (5 Most Recent)
Review the Hollow Brook hike here!   Average Review Rating:

By: AJ Rating: Date of Hike: Sunday, October 25, 2009
We did this hike just to do a dayhike to the waterfall.  The trail from the road to the stream crossing is not remarkable as noted by others, but the waterfall is really a lot of fun to scramble up.  I thought it was just one little waterfall or something, but when you hit the creek and head up the draw, you find it is a series of stepped waterfalls (about 5 total) that you discover as you climb up an additional 200 meters from the base.  You wouldn't want to do that with small kids you have to carry b/c the rocks were pretty slick, but school aged kids would have a blast exploring that waterfall.  We did, so I would recommend that as a destination for an easy dayhike with kids.

By: Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, August 01, 2009
We took the kids with us today (10 months and 7 years old) it was enjoyable being with the family. The hike was very boring and there was no place to rest or eat lunch comfortably, since it was so dense. The trail at the top of the summit was overgrown and looked as if it had not been used in quite some time. Don't worry I cleared all the spider webs out for you!

By: Nick Rating: Date of Hike: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Ideal for a family hike. My 8-year-old son loved the brook (as did my dog). There was enough elevation and wilderness to make this feel like a hike (as opposed to a walk in the woods), but not so much that my son needed to be bribed with sugar to make it back to the car.

By: Keith Rating: Date of Hike: Friday, July 03, 2009
Not a bad out and back hike. The views were not all that great, but the waterfall and stream halfway through the hike was well worth the visit. Took some great pictures of the falls, and worked off a few calories on a Friday morning. Surprised to see very few hikers along the way. Solitude for a holiday weekend was actually pretty good.

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