This is supposed to be one of the easier sections of the AT in Shenandoah, and it was pretty flat. It had just rained when I got there, so everything was a little misty and foggy and just perfect.
AT: Milam Gap to Lewis Falls Trail
10/30/21
3.48 mi.
243 ft. elevation gain
4/5 stars
Even though it was well into October, I kept missing all the fall foliage. The trees on the trail were still pretty green.
Saddleback Mountain & AT Trail Loop
10/23/21
5.16 mi.
725 ft. elevation gain
4/5 stars
This trail is rated “easy” and it pretty much is, until you get to the very last part that goes up to Mathews Arm campground. This part of the trail was muddy and steep, so I turned around, figuring I’d get the other part of it from the other side later.
This bridge is lovely.
Elkwallow Trail
10/10/21
3.9 mi
469 ft. elevation gain
4/5 stars
I’m not sure what made me think I was ready for an “intermediate” (a la AllTrails) hike, but I optimistically chose this 5-mile round trip loop.
The leaves in the park were just starting to change on this trail. It was beautiful.
The first part was, as is usual in SNP, all downhill. Not bad. The uphill was pretty steep between Little Hogback Mountain and Hogback Mountain. Whew.
Sugarloaf/Keyser Run/Hogback Loop
10/8/21
5.66 mi
978 ft. elevation gain
5/5 stars
For my next hike (a rare second weekend day hike), I looked on the internet for “easy” hikes. Like, really easy. I walked down the Rose River Fire Road from Skyline Drive to where the fire road meets the Rose River Loop trail at Hogcamp Branch.
I briefly considered taking the trail up to Dark Hollow Falls, went up a few steps, said “nope,” and turned around.
I visited the cemetery that is off the fire road.
Rose River Fire Road – Fisher’s Gap to Hogcamp Branch
10/3/21
2.44 mi
285 ft. elevation gain
4/5 stars
This was supposed to be a 4.5 mile “easy” loop hike on the Sugarloaf, Appalachian, and Piney Branch trails. I started off from the parking lot at the old ranger station, where I saw a deer.
After walking down the Piney Ridge Trail for a while (downhill), I reached the Piney River.
It was hot, I was tired, and by my look at the map, I’d gone about 1/4 of the loop. I decided (wisely) to turn around and not do the rest. I hate turning around on loops, and giving up, but it was definitely the right call.
Piney Branch to Piney River
10/2/21
3.19 mi
512 ft elevation gain
4/5 stars
One day, in September of 2021, I was feeling worn down by a lot of things: the pandemic, my job, school. My husband said, “Why don’t you go take a hike?” So I did.
My hike was in one of my favorite locations, Shenandoah National Park. I had long loved SNP since I first visited in my early 20s. But I’d only ever done a few hikes in the park, and they had been long ago. This hike was rated “easy.” It was easiER than some, sure. But for an out of shape person who had sat on their butt in a desk job during the pandemic, it wasn’t easy. It was also overgrown, and hot. Also no scenic views. But I loved the feeling I had after finishing it. I had accomplished something! I had communed with nature! I didn’t think about all my problems because I was focusing on hauling my overweight, out-of-shape butt to my car!
I decided to come back to the park to do some more hiking. And so it started.
9/11/21
2 miles
230 ft. elevation gain
3/5 stars