Three Falls Circuit Hike-9.3 miles-Strenuous
Details
Starting Point - Big Meadows Amphitheater
Ending Point - Big Meadows Amphitheater
Hike Distance/Rating/Elevation - 9.3 miles/Strenuous/2200 feet of elevation change
Hike Highlights - Big Meadows Campground, Fishers Gap, Fishers Gap Overlook, Rose River Trail, Hogcamp Branch, Rose River Falls, Dark Hollow Falls, Dark Hollow Falls Trail, Lewis Spring Falls, Lewis Spring Falls Trail
Disclaimer #1 - Dogs are not going to be allowed on this hike. Dogs are allowed on most of the trails within Shenandoah National Park. One of the trails where dogs are not allowed is the Dark Hollow Falls Trail. Please make sure to keep your dog at home if you have one. The hike leader will not allow you on the hike if you attempt to bring your dog on this hike.
Disclaimer #2 - This hike is rated as a strenuous hike. Since this hike is rated as a strenuous hike, all hikers will start the hike on the wait list. Hikers will remain on the wait list until I can verify the hiking experience of all hikers. Those hikers, who have not hiked with me, will need to answer the following questions.
- How often do you hike?
- What strenuous hikes have you done?
- When and what was the last strenuous hike that you completed?
The answers to the above questions need to be answered within one week of the RSVP date. Failure to answer these questions will move the hiker from the wait list to NOT GOING. The answers can be emailed to me at patrickcory@hotmail.com or via Meetup messages.
Hike Details - This is a circuit hike that includes three of the best waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park. These three waterfalls are the Rose River Falls, the Dark Hollow Falls, and the Lewis Spring Falls. We are going to be hiking to all three of these falls. We are going to meet shortly before 8:15 AM at the North Research Park out by the CHO Airport. We are going to leave the carpool location and enter Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive thru the Swift Run Gap entrance. We are going to turn left (North) onto Skyline Drive and drive up to the Big Meadows Campground. We are going to park at the Big Meadows Amphitheater. From the Big Meadows Amphitheater, we are going to hike down to the Appalachian Trail. We are going to turn right (northbound) on the Appalachian Trail. We are going to hike the Appalachian Trail to the Fishers Gap overlook. We are going to turn right and walk about 100 yards to Skyline Drive and begin our descent on the Rose River Trail. We will come to our first waterfall, the Rose River Falls in about a mile. After taking some pictures and enjoying the Falls, we are going to continue down the trail to the intersection with the Rose River Falls Fire Road. This is the base of the Dark Hollow Falls. We are going to continue up the Dark Hollow Falls and enjoy Dark Hollow Falls. After soaking in Dark Hollow Falls, we are going to hike up to Skyline Drive. We are going to cross Skyline Drive and hike over to the Visitor Center. We will continue to the Lewis Spring Falls. We will complete the Lewis Springs Falls trail, and return to our cars.
https://www.hikingupward.com/SNP/ThreeFalls/
As is tradition with my hikes, there will be an optional post hike at a local restaurant or in this case, the Big Meadows Wayside. Carpools can be arranged accordingly for those, who wish to partake in the post hike.
What to Bring - Broken in hiking boots, 3 to 4 liters of water, lunch and snacks, first aid kit, trekking poles, camera/phone, $5 for your driver if not driving, sunscreen, tick repellent, moisture wicking clothing
Disclaimer #3 - GetHiking Charlottesville's Organizers are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. With your RSVP you agree with this disclaimer - Disclaimer (https://www.meetup.com/GetHiking-Charlottesville-Charlottesville-VA/pages/21088739/Disclaimer/)