Thursday, June 3, 2010

Hiking at Shenandoah National Park

The Shenandoah National Park is sprawled over eight Virginia counties. A large chunk of its 105 mile stretch also covers the Appalachian Trail.  Hence, there are over 500 miles (800 km) of trails within the park. One of the easier trails is the Whiteoak Canyon Trail in Albemarle County. It is 2.65 miles (4.26 km) of alternating flat and steep hike over smooth and rocky terrain.

 


Whiteoak Canyon Trail (1)



 


Whiteoak Canyon Trail (2)


 


There are six waterfalls along the trail.  The first waterfall is a welcome sight to hikers after the first mile. This is the first of the three Lower Whiteoak Falls and is the tallest of the six standing tall at 86 feet.

 


1st Lower Whiteoak Falls (1)


 

1st Lower Whiteoak Falls (2)


 


Just a few minutes from the first waterfall is the second Lower Whiteoak Fall. It is much smaller in comparison but creates a mini slide for the hikers.

 


2nd Lower Whiteoak Falls


 


Along the way, the scenery does not fail to disappoint. Wooden bridge, smooth and rough boulders, small ponds, interesting cliffs, and the Blue Ridge Mountain are just some of the views that you can see along the trail.

 


Wooden Bridge


 

smooth boulders


 

rough boulders


 

small ponds


 

interesting cliffs


 

Blue Ridge Mountain


 


We only completed approximately 2 miles before we called it a day. We didn't know that it was barely a mile more to the sixth falls. Had we known, it might have encouraged us to go on with the hike some more. Or not. Some enjoyed the hike more than the others. For a pack that consisted of one who is afraid of heights and another who was not into hiking, it was a great hike and a refreshing experience nonetheless. Another one for the books.

 


 


 


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shenandoah_National_Park
http://backpacking-trips.suite101.com/article.cfm/day-hiking-at-whiteoak-canyon-shenandoah-national-park-va-usa

 

10 comments:

  1. [...] go far to find ocean (Virginia Beach is 4 hours away), mountains (the Blue Ridge Mountain and the Shenandoah Valley is just a few hours drive), Washington D.C. (about 3 hours), rapids (James River flows through the [...]

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  2. tracesofwanderlustJune 6, 2010 at 3:07 PM

    sis bumalik ka ulit sa U.S? kasama m ba si dona;-)

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  3. nope, Cha. hehehe wala kasing lakad so ginagamit ko nlng yung mga pics ng past travels for posting. :)

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  4. tracesofwanderlustJune 7, 2010 at 5:48 PM

    text mo ako makakalakad tyo hahaha yun nga lang pag nagtetext ka ako naman di pwede. sana we can find time to travel together. ano ba naman it has been years of planning di pa din nagmamaterialize hahaha

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  5. That was a beautiful hike. Nice trail, great waterfalls and lovely sceneries.

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  6. [...] Hiking at Shenandoah National Park | Live today. Lagaw tomorrow … [...]

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  7. "For a pack that consisted of one who is afraid of heights and another who was not into hiking, it was a great hike and a refreshing experience nonetheless." - I think I know these people hahaha!

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  8. indeed! ang saya! ulitin natin? hehehe

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  9. Looks very peaceful ... I could almost forget the place is just in photos.

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