Buzzard Rock on the Massanutten Mountain is just one of several great hikes in the Elizabeth Furnace area near Front Royal. With trails that loop around Signal Knob and down to Mudhole Gap on the western range, plus High Peak, Shawl Gap, and Veach Gap on the eastern range, this is one section of the GWNF full of great hikes!

With the weather passing through the region Saturday we weren’t able to make the complete hike out to the main overlook. About halfway along the ridge we started to hear the first rumblings of thunder on their way in from the southwest. Turned around (didn’t particularly want to be on the exposed ridge during a thunderstorm), and sure enough halfway down to the valley the lightning and downpour started up.

Still this was a nice day to be out in the mountains as the storms kept the temps cool. Next weekend we’re hiking in south central Virginia at one of the Old Dominion’s favorite State Parks, Douthout State Park just north of I64 and Valley Forge. The park has over 43 miles of hiking trails, and was voted one of the nations best. We’ll be reviewing the 8.0 mile loop hike that passes Blue Suck Falls and the Tuscarora overlook. Be sure to check back for the review!