October 7, 2023 Shanandoah National Park!!!! (1/63 collected at this point).
Trails Hiked: Upper Hawksbill Trail to Hawksbill Viewing Platform - out and back
Dark Hallow Falls Trail, Rose River Loop Trail, Rose River Fire Road
Hike Information: Dark Hallow Falls Trail -> Rose River Loop Trail -> Rose River Fire Road
Miles: 5.4 miles all together
Elevation: 910 + 440 <- the trials are considered to be two separate hikes but we did them together as a loop
This first hike was so fun and had two waterfalls on it that were beautiful to see. I got to do this trip to the national park with one of my oldest friends. I am so happy we go to experience this together - from driving skyline drive to hiking two hikes it was a glorious day. This was also my friends first major hiking trip. The elevation on this specific trail was definitely a bit of a challenge the further you went since there were legs of it where you were just climbing nonstop for a while. I really enjoyed it. Otis loved hiking this trail and got to meet so many other dogs during it. Remember folks to always pick up your pets waste!
Hike Information: Upper Hawksbill Trail To Hawksbill Viewing Platform and back
Miles: 2.1 miles round trip
After doing the previous hike this one felt harder than it truly was - calves on fire vibes. This trail was amazing we saw some deer on it and got to see the mountains from the nicest viewing platform I’ve seen so far. The view was worth pushing out luck with timing - we ended up hiking the last leg of the trail back to the car in moderate darkness. We really pushed it to get 2-3 hikes out of this day. In the future I think I would spend 2 days going to the park instead of one but when visiting my friend in VA I always want time with my niece and nephew too so it was a healthy balance doing one day at the park for this trip specifically. I really wanted to do this hike as it is the highest peak in the entire park at 4.051ft!!
Otis was pooped after this hike as you can see - he loved the hotel bed even more than I did that night. He did so good on the hikes I truly am so grateful to have such a great hiking buddy
titsay
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2087
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