Hazel Falls & Caves

An unusual hike for Shenandoah National Park.

But, I am getting ahead of myself.

It was a beautiful day for a hike.
– One day after a rain (so falls were full)
– Moderate temperature that was, well, perfect
– Wind that made the trees rock back and forth, but not overbearing
– Not too crowded, but enough people well I wasn’t alone
– Birds chirping in the background
– A trail that I had never trekked

I arrived midmorning … a little later than planned due to construction around the highway near Old Rag Mountain. I had been to this area, even parked in the same lot as the trail head for Mary’s Rock shared the same parking lot.

It was a strange hike for SNP due to this trail went down, then came back up on the in and back trail.

It was strange hike due to the fact you had to get off Hazel Falls Trail to get to Hazel Falls. You had to take White Rock Trail at a fork, where Hazel Falls Trail continued. (I caught a few hikers getting ready to go the wrong way at the fork, for they didn’t look at the map or read the preview before they got there.)

It was strange for even the paper map I got at the Thornton Gap Entrance cut off the trail at the bottom of the printed map.

It was strange of for the last .2 miles to the falls was hard, even dangerous … but the trail was marked moderate.

Yes, this trail broke many norms … but it was worth it. I can walk down then up, and still breath – maybe with a little oxygen at the parking lot. I can handle unusual directions, as long as I do my homework prior and keep All Trails even offline. I can even handle the hard part of the trail … again, as long as I go prepared. So I am okay.

This trail was beautiful. Green trees – mountain laurels – colorful flowers along the trail – sounds that made the forest full. Solitude, but not scary resolution.

The Hazel Falls were full and audibly soothing. I love the sight and the sounds. And just a few score yards over a scramble from the Falls, I was introduced to the caves. The caves were less impressive than I expected. More coves, less cave. it would fit a VW Bug, but not a VW van.

I meet some wonderful people that cared for each other and watched out for other hikers. An elderly couple celebrating their 32nd anniversary on the trails. College students enjoying a trek into the woods. Friends blessing each other with conversation and community.

Given more time, I would have completed the whole Hazel Falls Trail … but that leaves me wanting more. And I love that felling them I leave the mountains.

Here are some pics from the 6 mile jaunt …