Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.

Henry David Thoreau

The Fantastic Rose River and Dark Hollow Falls

Saturday June 13, 2015
Big Meadows Campground
Shenandoah National Park

 

 

Because it’s Saturday and the park is full of people having a great noisy time on their week-end, I am up and out and on the trail by 6:30am.  I have to say in advance that this is one of the most wonderful hikes I have taken anywhere at anytime so the post is long and picture laden.  Settle in with a cup of that evil brew or breakfast or just in a lounge chair and share the beauty of what I see beginning with the sunrise on my way to the trailhead.

 

 

 

 

Ruby has one pal in the parking lot as I set off.

 

IMG_6108

 

It’s a rocky trail and I have to watch my footing but that just justifies how slowly I want to go to savor and experience all this.

 

 

 

Immediately the river begins its cascades along the trail

 

 

 

 

IMG_6147

 

Of course the first part of the hike is down down hill but the pay off is that I arrive right by the river.

 

So far there is no one else on the trail.  I sit a while and listen to the water and watch it flow over the rocks.

IMG_6166

 

Then it’s back up hill but the river is never far away.

 

Notice the trail here.  There really isn’t one.  It’s just rocks until you get to the low spot and start back up.

 

 

It is interesting that for two small falls in a row a tree has come to rest first on the far side of the falls and then on the near.

 

IMG_6185

 

 

 

 

Not sure which group of trail workers arranged these rocks but they are quite helpful especially when the ground is wet, muddy and slick as it often is here with the frequent afternoon rains.  Of course the rocks can be wet and slick too which in some places is a hazzard in itself.

 

 

 

Just after 8am, two women come marching along and pass me by.  They seem to be out for an exercise walk given their pace.  I wonder how they can march through such a gorgeous and inspiring setting.  They are soon out of sight and I am alone once again.

 

IMG_6209

 

 

IMG_6213

 

IMG_6217

 

 

IMG_6221

 

IMG_6222

 

The trail leaves the river for a while and passes large rock formations.  One has a giant ball resting on top just waiting for a giant to come along and toss it down.

 

 

 

IMG_6229

 

 

I’ve read a description of this trial so when I come to this graveled area I know I’ve arrived at what remains of an old copper mine on the hill to the right.  Although I’m not much interested in mining and as you might guess don’t really approve of our striping the Earth, I know David would be right up that hill to see what’s up there.  So I go up and take these pictures for him.  Notice the large rectangle in the trail ahead just beyond where I’m going to turn right.

 

IMG_6235

 

All I find is a pipe sticking out of the ground.  I do look as David no doubt would but there isn’t anything else remaining unless it’s totally covered with the growth of the trees and bushes.

 

IMG_6236

 

IMG_6237

 

I return to the trail and here is the rectangle complete with metal rods.   Part of the mining operation I guess.  Who knows?

IMG_6248

 

There are the most amazing fungi in these mountains.  Look at this one.

IMG_6251

 

IMG_6255

 

I know I’m just over 2 miles along the trail when I come to this metal bridge across Hogcamp Branch which also contains its share of pools and runs.

 

IMG_6266

 

Looking down from the bridge on one side

IMG_6271

 

IMG_6269

 

What a picturesque bridge.

IMG_6282

 

 

Looking down from the bridge on the other side.

 

IMG_6274

 

 

The trail now winds along Hogcamp Branch which empties into the Rose River just beyond where the trail turned away from the river and up the branch.  The Rose River then runs south out of the park.  I am going to look on the maps and see if there is a way to follow the River on another day

 

IMG_6285

 

IMG_6287

 

It’s wonderful to be beside the water again as I climb listening to its chatter as it tumbles over the rocks.

IMG_6303

 

IMG_6308

 

IMG_6311

 

IMG_6317

 

IMG_6313

 

The trail becomes steeper, rockier and more difficult as I go.

IMG_6318

 

I’m up above the branch but I can use my camera as binoculars to get up close and personal with the cascades.

IMG_6321

 

IMG_6324

 

IMG_6333

 

IMG_6342

 

IMG_6349

 

And then it’s down again and closer to the water.  The entire landscape makes me feel as though I am walking in a wonderland.  It is perfect in every way.

 

Every pool, every riffle is lovely.

IMG_6355

 

IMG_6356

 

 

IMG_6359

 

IMG_6368

 

Yes there are too way many pictures but I want to relive this hike often until I take it again.  Every step is a treasure.

 

IMG_6371

 

IMG_6372

 

IMG_6373

 

I am just overwhelmed with the beauty and perfection.

 

IMG_6375

 

IMG_6377

 

IMG_6382

 

 

 

IMG_6397

 

 

IMG_6399

 

 

IMG_6400

 

I wonder if anyone ever brings a tube and rides this water slide down the rock in the heat of the summer.  Although, this is feeling like the heat of the summer at the foot of the mountain with temperatures in the 90’s, up here it’s in the 70’s and the water is cold.

 

 

IMG_6406

 

Up and down the trail goes. First above the branch then beside it.  Other than the tricky footing I hardly notice the climbs although it’s slow going since the beauty all around me is so breath taking that I stop often.

 

IMG_6411

 

IMG_6412

 

IMG_6415

 

IMG_6417

 

IMG_6419

 

 

 

 

Hogcamp Branch is every bit as lovely and melodious as the Rose River.

 

IMG_6428

 

IMG_6429

 

IMG_6427

 

 

I’m so happy to be here in the fairly early summer before the waters have dried up as they will by late August.

 

IMG_6433

 

IMG_6436

 

 

IMG_6441

 

 

IMG_6446

 

Sweet swimming pool.

IMG_6455

 

 

 

 

 

When I see the post ahead of me, I know I’ve come almost to the end of my journey along the water.

 

 

 

The Hogcamp Branch Trail meets up with the fire road which I’ll take back to Ruby but first there is a spur to Dark Hollow Falls.


At the junction of the trail and the road, a bridge crosses Hogcamp branch which flows down from Dark Hollow falls.  I laugh out loud with glee when I see the lovely falls just to the right of the bridge.  I haven’t even hiked up to the real Dark Hollow Falls yet and look at this.

 

IMG_6482

 

 

 

After crossing the bridge, the fire road goes back to Skyline Drive.  I’ll take that route but first a left turn up to Dark Hollow Falls.

 

 

As I start up the trail, this sign is posted.  Although I haven’t seen any black bears, I would be thrilled to and am happy to know that they live in relative peace here in the park although there is an on going problem of poachers coming in illegally from the edges of the park to kill the bears and sell their organs to the orient.   Very sad

IMG_6497.

 

 

I pass by the side of the lovely falls at the bridge and see what looks like a fantastic swimming pool to me.  Just imagine floating over under those falls.  Maybe I wouldn’t mind a 90 degree day after all.

 

 

IMG_6501

 

IMG_6503

 

The hike up to Dark Hollow is steep but maintained.   There is a trail that comes down from the Skyline drive above Dark Hollow which I understand is shorter, steeper and more tricky.  Because of that, I expect to find a lot of people up here.  It is now about 9:30am.   Sure enough, they are there in large numbers as I approach.  But they are coming toward me.  That means away from the falls.  All righty!!

 

 

IMG_6509

 

And when I arrive at the falls another group just as large is headed back up to the Skyline Drive.  This IS my lucky day.  I actually have Dark Hollow Falls all to myself for some time.  Truly AMAZING on a Saturday in mid June at 9:30 in the morning.

 

IMG_6510

 

The rocks at the base of the falls are completely wet and it looks dangerous to me to walk out on them for a really good photograph of the falls so this is taken from the side but they are wonderful from any angle.  These two pictures may look the same but the details are a bit different.  In the second one you can see, slightly better, the multiple streams of water coming over at the top.

 

 

IMG_6514

 

I try to take a selfie with the falls but they are just terrible. The selfies, not the falls.  I’d love to have one of those camera arms but I doubt there is one sturdy enough to hold up my Canon SX50.  If I didn’t already have SO many pictures of real beauty in this post I would have put in a few of my hilarious selfie efforts.  

Again, lucky me, someone does come down the trail from the drive and takes this photograph for me.   Then it’s time to leave them alone with these lovely falls.

 

 

Just one last shot of nature’s beauty.

 

Down the hill and on to the fire road I go.  The fire road is a lovely wide walk through the forest and I’m thinking I’ll be really missing the sounds and sights of the water for the remainder of the hike.

 

IMG_6538

 

IMG_6543

 

But then, off to my right I see a trail through the grass and a sign saying Cave Cemetery.  Up I go.

 

IMG_6546

 

 

 

The cemetery is a mixture of formal headstones, wooden markers and small bare upright stones.  Most of them have cloth flowers at the base.  Family members must have been here for memorial day.  The cloth flowers are much nicer than plastic.  I wonder how long the simple wooden markers for Bertha Buracker 1923-1996 and Josh Cave 1915-2000 will last.

 

 

 

 

There are several markers for men who fought in and one who died in the Civil War, known in these parts as the War of Northern Aggression.  You should be able to click the pictures and read the headstones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was quite moved by the flowers in front of the small upright stones with no markings.  This place gives real meaning and individuality to the people who were forced off their land and from their homes in order for Shenandoah National Park to be created.   Many have returned in death to the land they loved.

 

 

IMG_6564

 

IMG_6565

 

Initially as I enter the cemetery there is a board with this metal plaque listing the names of “People buried here with no head marker before 1940”, thirty seven people.  I come back to read it now.

Sadly one of the professionally made markers has fallen over either after Memorial Day or it was too heavy for whomever was here to lift.  It was definitely too heavy for me as I tried to see if I could set it upright.

IMG_6567

 

Yet another surprise on the fire road is this duo coming up behind me.  There are quite a few horse trails in Shenandoah and it really would be a simply fantastic way to see this park.  They turn off the fire road and up onto the horse trail just before we get to the Skyline Drive.

 

IMG_6569

 

IMG_6573

 

Things have picked up quite a bit since I dropped Ruby off.  She has LOTS of company now.  

I’m back plenty early in the day because of my early start.  David is just finishing his breakfast when I return.  Remember he’s not a morning person.  HA!  He leaves to walk down to the visitor center to take the 1:00 van tour to the Rapidan Camp.  I’m glad they have this so he can visit it without the danger of the up hill climb back on the trail.  I spend the afternoon relaxing and reading in the glorious temperature and surroundings of our camp site.  It’s cool enough for me to make a pot of soup for dinner.

 

IMG_6579

 

IMG_6580

What a great day it has been.

Hope it was worth making it to the end for you too. 
I know it was a laoong one.  
Thanks for reading

24 comments:

  1. The rushing water in your pictures seemed to cool off all of Arizona just by looking at them!

    Virtual hugs,

    Judie

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can see why it is on your favorites list, Thanks for taking us along- it was a great hike and I am not even sweating:)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice hike! You got some really good waterfall photos. Ours just never look that good.

    ReplyDelete
  4. That stone trail would have me back in the car ASAP. Glad you are fit enough for those and you took grand pictures for us as well.
    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Just gloriously AWESOME! Thanks for all the work of taking these pictures for us to enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I wince when I see big rocks on the trail. My cheekbone and my knee still hurt from falling on my hike! You have some beautiful photos of the water.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Well, that was a beauty!!! It looked just like the hikes in Maine!!! I believe I even saw a beautiful sunrise, Bubble Rock, Carriage Road Bridges, rocky trails along beautiful streams and the photo of Dark Hollow Falls could have been taken at Waterfall Carriage Bridge. About the only thing missing is the Lobstah;o)))

    ReplyDelete
  8. Nice trail cool enough for soup- thats what I like :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. There is nothing better than a hike along running water, and what a setting you had! Just stunning! Thanks for taking me there!

    ReplyDelete
  10. I love the hikes along the rivers too. Glad you were able to enjoy it without too many people. It looks just like the trails in Georgia and if you hadn't told me you were in Virginia, I would have never known.

    I hope David will be able to get back on those trails with you again soon.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a beautiful trek through the woods. It is very enjoyable to hike by a nice stream or river. Glad you are patient enough to take all these pictures and sort through them for the blog.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Such a pretty area, and the graveyard is quite poignant.

    ReplyDelete
  13. beautiful photos I love seeing moss on the rocks it's so green...pictures of the creek make me want to go and play in it as I did as a kid we were always playing in the water in the woods great memories you brought me

    ReplyDelete
  14. Had to wait until this afternoon to read this post as I would have been late for work if I tried this morning. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  15. It was over too soon :-) The water cascading through the mossy green rocks is so wonderful, I can hear it while reading the post. The one fall that is flowing straight down looks almost out of place among the meanders. Our lack of water in CA means all the creeks are dry and many of the rivers nearly so as well. It is quite sad and depressing, and makes me appreciate even more the beauty of where you are. We're cold enough here in the redwoods for soup every day :-)

    ReplyDelete
  16. What an awesome hike! We always enjoy a hike with water features the best.Sure hope David is feeling better.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thanks for taking us along on your hike. You describe it so well I almost feel like I was there.

    ReplyDelete
  18. I could simply go on and on along all those little water falls, splashes and pools. Haven't seen that much water in a long time. Flowing water energy feels so good. You did luck out with lack of, or leaving, people on this morning walk.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank goodness for digital cameras. Can you imagine how many of the wonderful sights you'd have to pass on because of fumbling with a film camera?

    I can never get enough of the amazing hikes you take and the thrill of nature's finest displays. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  20. With all of the hiking you've done, that's quite an accolade for you to proclaim this as among the most wonderful! It's easy to see why it's so special from your photos. I love hikes with creeks and waterfalls. That mushroom is very beautiful, too.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I don't remember there being so much water along the trail ... but I think we were there in early fall. We took a picnic lunch with us and found a spot on boulders spanning the Rose River ... a highlight of our hike.

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a beautiful hike! Great waterfall pictures - definitely a superb way to start the day and a hike I would do again - I have a good feeling you will! Thanks for taking us along - I try to imagine the sound of the water through the rocks - so much better to be there though - lucky you!!

    ReplyDelete
  23. You love of water is wonderful to see and read of. You are a great spokesperson for the pure joy of nature and especially water in it. Thanks for making this experience available to those of us who could not make it out for one reason or another. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I enjoyed this hike as your description "Every pool, every riffle is lovely" rings in my ear as I followed you along. I can feel the serenity around you. Thank you for this hike!

    ReplyDelete

Your comments are the best part of this blog for me.
I LOVE hearing from you!