Shenandoah National Park

I had planned it all week. This Saturday was getting up early and trekking the hour and half out to the southern entrance of Shenandoah National Park and going to explore the wonders of a park I had not been to in decades.

The drive out along 64 was pleasant and fun. Even exciting as an idiot in a Porsche came up behind me trying to do roar along. I was already speeding but I sped up and got over as I had to pass another car on my right. Well I was in the CRV and the guy in the Porsche. Well maybe his view was slightly blocked. Mine was not and as the guy roared by me he blew by the unmarked State Trooper. Oh sweet karma.

I continued my drive into the park's Rockfish Gap Entrance. The area was very familiar. If you dig back through my posts. I had driven out here with my daughter Erin to explore some of the stuff around Afton and Staunton many moons ago.  But not this time, into the park I went.

Skyline Drive is really quite gorgeous. On the east coast the Appalachian Mountains  are ancient  and old. Smashed up against each over millennia. As you wander along the road bracketed by row upon row of trees you do not quite see what is just beyond the tree line. Then as the numerous pull outs start popping up they give you spectacular views of broad vistas of mile upon mile of green. This is the view people drive up in the Fall to see but of a different color.

Today though I wanted to hike and at the entrance the Park Ranger gave me a few maps to areas close to the southern entrance. So I looked glanced about and picked Jones Run Trail. It showed several falls and a loop along Doyles Falls Trail and the Brown Fire Road. Looked like a really solid hike to give me a good day.

I happily started my jaunt down the Jones Run Trail.
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/jones-run-falls-trail

The trail winds down the mountain side with several switchbacks before you gradually start following the river/creek/stream itself. The trail was pretty wet and muddy at times and crossed over several uncontrolled streams. Hopping over rocks seemed easy and I only got my boots wet a few times. This is important to notice.

I made it down to the Jones Run Falls and watched a family in front of me.with two young children squealing in delight as the water came crashing over the waterfall. After taking a few pictures I made my walk down a bit further. The goal to get onto the Doyles Falls Trail.

Here is where things went sideways. I watched a hiking group wade some knee others waist deep through the rushing stream. Well shit I thought to myself. I had no extra socks, no hiking pole and was wearing a backpack full of camera gear. Well shit.

I wandered down off the trail a bit to check for another place to cross. No luck. And oh yeah by the way I did not even think that I was near bears. There were probably bears watching me waiting for me to be stupid.

Needless to say i turned around and headed back up the trail at a faster pace as I was no annoyed. The shoes and socks got wetter and more people had come to once empty falls. I made it back at fast pace and began my final drive to the visitor center to grab some stuff. One day done , i will be back in a few weeks.