Beautiful White Oak Canyon - 7 Miles - Retrace Hike - Moderately Strenuous

On this Fall season day our hike will feature some of the most spectacular cascades and waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park! This 7.0 mile out-and-back hike will cut through one of the most rugged canyons in SNP, passing by six waterfalls along the way.

We'll start our out-and-back hike from the White Oak Canyon boundary parking lot. From here, we will hike about 3.5 miles, initially paralleling White Oak Run, until we reach the base of the lower White Oak Canyon waterfall. At this point we will begin a steady ascent into the heart of White Oak Canyon. As we get higher in elevation, we will be rewarded with scenic views as we gaze out towards the valley from where we started. Upon reaching the numerous waterfalls and cascades, we will pause to allow for photo taking and having the opportunity to enjoy their natural beauty.

Once we have reached the highest point of this canyon, we will break for lunch at an observation point which provides an excellent vantage point for viewing our sixth waterfall of the day. This is also one of the top 5 waterfalls in height within SNP.

After our lunch we will retrace our steps hiking pre-dominantly downhill and end up back at our parked vehicles.

As a post-hike option, Mary Power - a current member of GetHiking Charlottesville - has generously offered to host those hiking on this day an opportunity to stop by her beautiful home in Madison, VA for snacks, drinks, and possibly gathering around a fire ring in her backyard. For those of you like the idea of this post-hike gathering, please make certain to bring your own drinks and snacks. The address for Mary's home will be shared with those who are interested the day of the hike.

Hike Difficulty: Moderately Strenuous

Note on Difficulty: This hike will have approximately 1,600' of elevation gain, with all of the gain occurring in the first half of the hike. This is not an easy hike - for experienced hikers only. If you have a question regarding your ability to do this hike, please contact me via a Private Message through the Meet-Up website.

Where: For those wanting to carpool and/or caravan out together, we will meet at the parking lot in front of Great Outdoor Provision in Barracks Road Shopping Center. We will depart promptly at 9:30AM – so please attempt to arrive 10 minutes earlier so that we can figure out who is riding with whom. And for those who would like to meet at the White Oak Canyon parking lot and trailhead, please make certain you arrive by 10:30AM - and indicate in the "Comments" section that you are planning to do so.

Drive time to the trail head from Charlottesville will be approximately 1 hour. From Barracks Road Shopping Center, we will be heading North on Route 29 to Route 231 in Madison County. We will then head North on Route 231 for 5.5 miles to Virginia Route 670. Turn left onto Route 670 and follow for about 3.5 miles to the town of Syria, VA. Turn Right on to Route 643 – also known as Weakley Hollow Road. Stay on Route 643 for about 3.5 to 4 miles until you reach the SNP White Oak Canyon parking lot on your left. This is where our hike will begin.

Supplies: please bring plenty of water and wear hiking boots/shoes. Trekking poles are recommended for this hike. We will be taking a nice, well deserved break for lunch at the mid-way point of our hike - so bring lunch and snacks!! Also, pay attention to the mountain weather - as an outer warm shell is always a good idea to have in your pack at this time of the year.

Fees & Such: Of course for the carpool to work, some have to offer to drive so others can ride. Riders, please give your driver $5.00 to cover their expenses.

Weather: If inclement weather necessitates canceling or postponing the hike, the decision will be made no later than 8:00AM the day of the hike - a cancellation notice will be posted in the hike comment section... Steady rain or inclement weather with not much chance for clearing will call for postponing the hike.