Provided there are any, of course, would anyone be interested in trying to find some to photograph. I would think in the next month or so, it should be cold enough to actually freeze the waterfalls (it was too warm back in mid January), and I've heard they're really cool.
It's too soon to propose a Saturday or Sunday at the moment, but I was thinking about the first or second weekend in March.
Steve I'm interested by my work schedule is pretty restrictive. My days off are Thur/Fri... if we narrow it down to a particular Saturday I'll check into the possibility of taking a vacation day.
I might be up for that. My husband hikes there often and might be able to suggest a likely spot if you don't already have one in mind. I don't know about waiting till March, though. Could be spring again by then!
There are lots of waterfalls in the park, and some of them are one easier trails than others. I think the DPC outing last spring (was it 2005 or 2006?) went to Black Water Falls... but there's just so many. The last Saturday in February, or the first one in March, were about when I was thinking about.
Meanwhile... I was thinking about a couple of guidelines for this outing.
First, I would strongly recommend Yaktrax (shoe 'chains') since the trail may be frozen/slippery.
Second, I would like to hear any preferences for trails... I will do the research of course, but if anyone did a really great waterfall hike, I would like to consider that trail too.
hrmm...I don't know the area too well, but I've always wanted to head up there with someone from that area that knew where everything was. I'll keep an eye on this thread, it's a 3 hour drive for me, but it might be worth it.
Things are still looking good to me for the last saturday in February... 2/24/2007. It seems to be staying cold, which is good for keeping the waterfalls frozen. I do hope we are able to do this, as it's cool to see and photograph.
Hubby finally dragged out his maps and suggested Dark Hollow Falls as a relatively easy hike. From other pictures I Googled it looks like it falls in stages instead of one continuous drop, so parts could be frozen. It is a popular tourist stop but I'm guessing this time of year ... not so popular. It's not too far from the Great Meadows complex and has its own little parking area.
Now I need to go see if I can get some of the unwanted Ice Mother Nature delivered last night removed from my driveway :-(
BTW, I went to Skyline Drive a week or so ago and it was closed due to ice and snow. That was several days after the first little snowstorm we had in the area, and all local roads were just fine. Apparently they don't plow it, or at least not promptly.
I'm sure it's closed today (Feb 14) but who knows if it will be open next week. Here is a link to the Shenandoah National Park page with a phone number for the latest status of Skyline Drive.
I'll keep an eye on this thread, hopefully I'll be able to get away from work and join you guys if the park is open.
So-o-o-o ... are we on? I just checked the weather forecast for Front Royal and it's supposed to be in or near the 50's for the next few days, then down to mid-40's for Friday and Saturday. Lows still mostly in the 20's. Could be a bit colder up on the ridges and it's almost always windier, so hard to say what the waterfalls will be doing.
Hi all you Shenandoah hiker/photographers! We did have a GTG there in May 2006. Went to Dark Hollow Falls. With gear, it was a little more challenging than the "short hike" might indicate. :-)
Some photo's still in there (although many have been deleted from portfolios it looks like).
Dark Hollow Falls Info - Rose River Falls Info - Byrd Visitor Center Map - Byrd Visitor Center Info -
ISBN of booklet for above info is: 0-931606-20-9
Booklet titled "Hikes to Waterfalls in Shenandoah National Park" put out by the National Park Service.
I'm still planning to do this because I really want to see the frozen waterfalls... hopefully they'll still be frozen (but it's Shenandoah, so it's chilly). DHF was the trail I was thinking about, and I think I mentioned that although I have gotten the name wrong. I figure on arriving around 10am I suppose.
hey... let me know when you guys are going... i'm working on 2/24 :-( but otherwise am up for it. i live about 25 miles from the south entrance of the park. i've done most of the waterfall hikes in the park. a few pictures can be seen here (don't make fun of some of the pics, especially whiteoak... i'm working on getting better ones)
DHF is one of the easiest to get to. south river falls (mile marker 62.8) is a mid-level hike, but may be the best bang-for-your-buck since it's an impressive 83 foot falls (although this wouldn't give you a good up close view of the ice). more (basic) info at wikipedia.
The Dark Hollow Falls is the one we did last year, and I feel comfortable with that one. If some people are up for it, we can check out Rose River Falls (about 1 mile away) afterwards... especially if there's snow melt, as that falls' description suggests that it would be very cool to see with extra water - and even more so if it's partially frozen.
I am still planning on going; will check the park hotline before I leave in the morning to make sure Skyline Drive is open. I don't have a hiking-type tripod (read: mine's really heavy) so I will have to either borrow one or do without. I will put a reasonably fast lens on the camera so I may be OK handheld. Not expecting a lot of wildlife so I'm preparing for scenery shots ... though I may drag along the long zoom just in case something appears and stays put while I change lenses ;-)
Heading out now but will check this thread later to see if there are any last-minute changes.
I am still planning on going; will check the park hotline before I leave in the morning to make sure Skyline Drive is open. I don't have a hiking-type tripod (read: mine's really heavy) so I will have to either borrow one or do without. I will put a reasonably fast lens on the camera so I may be OK handheld. Not expecting a lot of wildlife so I'm preparing for scenery shots ... though I may drag along the long zoom just in case something appears and stays put while I change lenses ;-)
Heading out now but will check this thread later to see if there are any last-minute changes.
Does that mean a date was set that I missed somewhere?
The hotline says that Skyline Drive is closed from mile post 55.5 to m.p. 105. (Just called them). You'll have to check the map but I think that the open portion would include Dark Hollow Falls. Y'all be careful clambering around on icy rocks!
Does that mean a date was set that I missed somewhere?
Well, one of us is confused ;-) On the 13th mcrochip said we were aiming for the 24th, and then later he said around 10:00 am at Dark Hollow Falls, so I've been assuming that was the plan. Maybe a confirmation would be good?
