Two Waterfalls Hike (Rose River / Dark Hollow)

Join me for a strenuous hike (7 miles with 1,700 feet of elevation gain) to visit two waterfalls --- Rose River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls --- near Big Meadows in the Central District of Shenandoah National Park.

Starting from the Big Meadows Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center, we will hike a short distance along the Skyline Drive before taking a service road that leads to the white-blazed Appalachian Trail (AT), on which we'll head northbound. Almost half-way through our hike we turn off the AT onto a fire road to cross the Skyline Drive, and after crossing the Skyline Drive, we continue on the fire road a short distance before forking left on a yellow-blazed horse trail. After descending on the horse trail for about a half mile, we'll fork right on the blue-blazed trail and continue to our first waterfall --- Rose River Falls --- where we'll take a snack break. After our snack break, we'll continue our clockwise loop hike on the blue-blazed trail to our second waterfall --- Dark Hollow Falls --- where we'll take another short break. From Dark Hollow Falls we'll continue on the blue-blazed trail, climbing to and crossing the Skyline Drive. Shortly after crossing the Skyline Drive, we'll fork left to cross a small stone footbridge and complete the final half-mile of our hike, returning to the Visitor Center.

Here are details for this event:

• Distance: 7 miles
• Elevation gain: 1,700 feet
• Pace: ~2.5 miles/hour
• Difficulty: Strenuous (hiking difficulty scale)
• Start time: 9:30 a.m.
• Duration: 3.5 hours
• Hike map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/two-waterfalls-hike-rose-river-dark-hollow-6a5dfac
• Trailhead parking: Big Meadows Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center
• Parking coordinates: 38.51788, -78.43693

What to bring

Make sure your emergency contact information is in your pack. Bring backpack, hiking poles, food, water, sunscreen, insect repellent. Dress for the weather, including hat, layers, and rain gear as needed.

Dogs

No dogs are allowed on this hike as pets are prohibited on the Dark Hollow Falls Trail.

Park entrance / parking fees

You are required to pay an entrance fee or present your "America the Beautiful" park pass in order to access Shenandoah National Park.

Rehydration

The Black Twig Diner & Bar, 12018 Lee Hwy, Sperryville, VA 22740

Weather

Here's a National Weather Service URL you can use to check the 7-day weather forecast at the trailhead (Big Meadows Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center).

https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.51788&lon=-78.43693

In case of poor or severe weather, this hike will be postponed.

Disclaimer

Blue Mountain Hiking Club 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 the following Disclaimer / Liability Waiver.