We stayed at the Rock Springs Shelter 1st night, as described on Park website. The Big Meadows Horse Trail was long and honestly rather boring. Did the loop backwards but was still a blast! There is also an option of shortening the distance, and vertical gain, by opting out of the Lewis Spring Falls section for a total of 6.1 mls and 1530ft gain. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia. After a series of switchbacks begin following the river to a 25 foot waterfall. Book your hotel in Big Meadows and pay later with Expedia. With the exception of strenuous climbs at Hawksbill and Spitler Hill, most of the loop is relatively easy. Lacking sweeping views, the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail is admittedly less interesting than Hawksbill and the AT. Fishers Gap to Hawksbill Mountain Summit via Appalachian Trail. Recommend filling up on water at the Hut. Continue straight on the AT. We were visited by a VERY friendly 4pt Buck and a young bear in the morning. Hiked this loop a few years ago and can’t wait to get back. Rose River – Big Meadows – Rapidan Fire Road – Dark Hollow. Cross the road to return to the start. These are three of the most beautiful falls in the SNP. Appalachian Trail, Hawksbill, Horseshoe Trail, and Rose River Loop is a 20.8 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Elkton, Virginia that features a waterfall and is rated as moderate. Crossing Rose River on the Skyland-Big Meadows Horse Trail. The 1.4-mile stretch that follows is easy and straightforward; paralleling Skyline Drive (from a distance), the trail cuts through two minor meadows before returning to the trailhead. The Big Meadows/Hawksbill Mountain/Rose River trail is actually a combination of short trails to create a nice 20-21 mile loop for those who are looking for a longer hike or a … +1 on previous review. Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Don't miss out on great hotels and other accommodations near Dark Hollow Falls, Rose River Falls, and Luray Caverns. Difficulty: Strenuous Beginner . Rose River Loop Hike Details. It had a little bit of everything: 1 peak, 2 waterfalls, plenty of water access, and wildlife. share. A lot water on trail but I suggest take filter. Shenandoah National Park - Video Trip Report - Big Meadows, Hawksbill & Rose River Loop. Big Meadows is known for its mountain views, forests, and waterfalls. I saw a mother bear, two cubs, and no humans for the better part of 2-3 hours. Change ), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Rose River runs along the trail, upstream from the falls Skyland-Big Meadows Trail intersects with Rose River Fire Road near the end of the hike Dark Hollow Falls & Rose River Loop Trails. The route weaves gently north before crossing Rose River and a nearby tributary. ( Log Out /  Hawksbill Mountain, Franklin Cliffs, Big Meadows Horse Trail is a 9 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Syria, Virginia that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. I started at the Upper Hawksbill parking area. This is the shortest loop from the Rose River Trailhead and is mostly fire road (although the lower Rose River Fire Road is pretty rocky), making it ideal for the novice trail runner. Thorofare Mountain, Robertson Mountain, and Old Rag from Hawksbill summit, Shenandoah National Park. This is the fire road directly across from Rose River Fire Road in the gap. I did this trail in 2 days and 1 night. save. Click for a park map of the Big Meadows area. save hide report. On the trail it felt like FOREVER but once we hit the top of Rose River falls theres a trail that lead up to a nice clearing with plenty of flat ground to pitch your tents and plenty of water to stock up on. Save big on a wide range of Big Meadows hotels! Depending on where in the campground you start and intercept the AT, the mileage will vary a bit. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, and backpacking. The Hawksbill Summit was very busy but there were other more private vistas on Salamander Trail and the AT, definitely should plan your lunch for one of those. Does Big Meadows Lodge offer free cancellation for a full refund? But it wasn’t difficult to get to Rose River in 1 day. If you are entering on foot, horse, or bike the fee is $15 per person. Sunday September, 2007. Great loop for all types of fitness levels and every age but definitely not for the couch potato. Length 20.8 miElevation gain 4507 ftRoute type Loop. Seems like upper starts at mile post 46 and lower begins elsewhere? Meadow near the end of the hike, along the Skyland-Big Meadows Trail. This is the group's first official hike! Lots of places to get water in mid June. There are two parking areas with ample space. With Skyline Drive within earshot, bear right at a trail junction. 1 comment. I went after about a week of rain so had many opportunities to filter water. Be sure to follow rules for back country camping and bring enough water. Log in or sign up to leave a comment log in sign up. The Rose River Loop trail is near the top of the map. Close. Some of the nicest views I’ve seen from this area:). There was one set of boot prints for the first mile or so on Big Meadow, I broke trail to the junction with Rose River, and there were two sets of boot prints on the AT. From here it is approximately 1.6 mile in a gradual climb back to the Big Meadows Complex. The trip took 3 days and 2 nights. youtu.be/aG5-9X... 1 comment. Change ). I used the Shenandoah trip planner on the website and it offered a great written itinerary for the hike that was helpful without taking away the experience of discovery by being overly descriptive. The trail is primarily used for hiking. Bear right and emerge from the woods at the sight of the Byrds Nest Shelter #2 (day use only), situated in a small clearing a short walk from the precipice of a rock outcrop offering fine views to the north and west. Third day we decided to take a different route up dark hollow falls due to a group members injury but it was a really nice hike up the falls nonetheless, heavily trafficked. We made our way down to the big meadows horse trail. It makes for a great day hike. Nearly immediately, a rock outcrop offers additional views to the west. Other than those two camp spots I didn’t see too many. Good Trail for two nights but be careful second day . But if you want a slower easier pace (7ish miles a day) break it up into a 3 day two night. In about 0.6 miles from the last junction turn right onto blue-blazed Rose River Loop Trail. Mar 7, 2017 - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA May 8-10, 2016 Highlights: Big Meadows, Hawksbill, and Rose River Loops Trip Length: 3 days, 21 miles round trip Level: Strenuous "Beginner" Not easy to find place where you can spend night . 100% Upvoted. Here you’ll also find views of River Falls. We opted for the tents as they had a nice view of the small town lights. Start and end at Hawksbill Gap, located along Skyline Drive roughly 14 miles south of the Thornton Gap Entrance Station in Shenandoah’s Central District. Top Hotels in Big Meadows Vacation Rentals in Big Meadows It’s a short, albeit steep, climb to the top, making Hawksbill a popular day hike destination; more ambitious hikers, however, can head farther south to complete a nearly 9-mile loop that captures additional overlooks and lush meadows. youtu.be/aG5-9X... Trip Report. (This is NOT an online event, we just can't change it in the settings.) ⛰ The hike will be a 14 mile loop starting at Milam Gap, stopping by Lewis Spring Falls, circling Big Meadows, meandering along Rose River where we will camp overnight, venturing around Stony Mountain, and finally ending back at Milam Gap. share. Can you explain the difference between “upper hawksbill trail” and “lower hawksbill trail”? The trail skirts around Spitler Knoll then gradually descends to the Franklin Cliffs area, where a half dozen rock crags offer excellent views of the Shenandoah Valley and Kite Hollow. Retrace your steps back into the patchwork of farms and forests of the meadow the! It wasn ’ t wait to get to Rose River Falls is … started. Vary from the given levels with adverse weather conditions and other accommodations near Dark Hollow Falls a! Features a carpark and a kitchen area patchwork of farms and forests of the Shenandoah Valley learned fire. 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Trail map of the map Loop a few options to camp, from Rose River was peaceful and some... Town lights at about mile 14 little bit of everything: 1 peak, 2 night trip ; turn again...

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