Dark happenings on the Dark Hollow Falls loop
October is my favorite hiking month, as I relish the brightly colored leaves and the cooler temperatures. There is, however, one big negative for late fall hiking: shorter days. I know that I should adjust my planned mileage to accommodate for less daylight hours, but during October, I always seem to overestimate our ability to complete long hikes before sunset. It is not as if I don’t know when the sun will go down. Planning for sunrise and sunset is key for our adventures. The problem is my excitement level. You know when you go to the grocery store hungry and you buy far more items than were on your list? It is that same concept. I know that I should plan for 8 hours of hiking, but … the leaves, the blue sky, the crisp air, the deer, the scent of the woods … I just get carried away!
It was the last weekend of October and the weather was incredible! I was on a high after hiking the iconic Shenandoah National Park peak, Old Rag, the day before. My new quest was to complete several trail loops off the Dark Hollow Falls trail. The first mile of the trail loop was very crowded. The popular Dark Hollow Falls are accessible after a .6 mile downhill hike. For this reason, large crowds of park guests gathered at the various view points, posing for group photos, taking videos and some, splashing in the water. Our loop was approximately 16 miles, and we didn’t want to waste too much time fighting for a front row view of the falls. We had another opportunity for photos when we would pass the falls during the final mile of the trek.
As we left the Dark Hollow Falls, the crowds faded away and we were alone in the woods, just Brian and I. Our dogs were at home, so that we could complete the non-pet friendly trails within the park over the course of the long weekend. It is rare that we hike without them, and it made the trek feel a bit strange. Abiding by NPS rules, we walked dog-less that day.
We lingered a long time at a water crossing, enjoying lunch and the solitary view. A few miles later, we met another hiking couple and slowed our pace to walk and talk. A glance at my watch and gps were followed by apologies to our hiking companions. We had almost 6 miles and 2,000′ elevation to complete and sunset was in 1 hour. After well wishes to the hikers, we rushed away, my new goal, reaching the water falls before complete darkness set in.
Our eyes adjusted to the fading light and we pressed on, run/walking in silence. Finally, I saw the falls trail marker ahead. It was at that point we intended to turn on our headlamps for the final mile out. I stopped, turned to my husband who was behind me and I laughed at the fun of the uphill challenge in the darkening woods. He did not chuckle, but grabbed by arm and pointed with his hiking pole.
He whispered, “There! A bear! On the rock!”.
I saw it too. Now what? The bear was located at the water falls and our only path out was beside the rock on which it lay. Without the dogs, we were less confident on how to navigate this potential challenge. In the darkness, we opted to keep the headlamps off, because we weren’t sure if the light would scare or anger the beast. We had to cross the Rose River via the bridge and couldn’t bushwhack through the woods to give the bear a wider berth. We began clicking our poles together and talking loudly.
“Why wasn’t it moving?” I wondered.
We walked shoulder to shoulder, which was ridiculously awkward, but managed to safely cross the bridge and get to the exit trail path. At that point, we flicked on our headlamps. Curiosity got the better of both of us and we turned in the direction of the bear. The lamp light washed over the rock, where a large black puffy coat lay.
Giddiness and adrenaline kicked in from both the fast hike and the possible bear encounter. My heart was pounding and my knees felt wobbly, but we still had 1,000′ of elevation to complete. We talked loudly the entire last mile to scare off other potential coats lying in wait to attack us.
The next day, our hiking loop led from that same bear-rock location. In the daylight, the coat left behind by a previous day’s guest, was much less ominous. We chuckled together as we passed the rock. Ah well. Our over zealous imagination gave us another story to share with our wide-eyed grandkids and other hikers along the trails.
Dark Hollow Falls Trail Loop
Dark Hollow Falls – Rose River Road – Stony Mountain – Rapidan Road Loop
This loop includes an out/back section at the beginning/end and also halfway through the loop. The highlight is the Dark Hollow Falls, a 70′ water feature fed by the Hogcamp Branch. This trek includes the following paths:
- Dark Hollow Falls Trail
- Rose River Fire Road
- Stony Mountain Trail
- Rapidan Fire Road
- Upper Dark Hollow Falls Trail
The trail loop is a blend of trail “steps”, gentle wide trail, fire road and rocky paths. There are 2 parking areas to access the loop, one inside Shenandoah National Park (mile 50.7) and one outside the park on Old Blue Ridge Turnpike (route 670). All trails are well marked with signage and painted blazes on trees.
| Hike difficulty classifications (link) | |
|---|---|
| Route type | Loop |
| Trail difficulty level | Moderate to strenuous (due to length and elevation total) |
| Geographic location | Shenandoah National Park, Central Section |
| Trailhead parking options | Parking lot options: Mile 50.7 Skyline Dr inside SNP or Route 670 outside the park. |
| Trail amenities | None |
| Elevation - trailhead | 3,428' |
| Elevation - highest peak | 3,428' |
| Elevation gain | 2,828' |
| Total mileage | 16.5 miles |
| Water sources | Rose River and Hogcamp Branch; Use water filter |
| Highlights | Dark Hollow Falls, 70' falls and wooded trail |
Click for National Park Service information about the Dark Hollow Falls
Rose River Trail
Dark Hollow Falls – Rose River Fire Road – Rose River Loop Trail
This loop begins and ends at the Dark Hollow Falls Trailhead, mile 50.7 on Skyline Drive. Dark Hollow Falls trail passes the 70′ falls and then intersects with the Rose River Fire Road. The Fire Road is a wide and gentle path that leads to Skyline Drive and the Fishers Gap Overlook/Parking Lot. Midway on the Fire Road is the Cave family cemetery, with tombstones dating from the late 1880s through 2016. (I enjoy investigating cemeteries and wondering about the lives of those commemorated by markers).
From Fishers Gap, the Rose River Loop Trail passes the Rose River Falls and many cascades. The trail reconnects to the Dark Hollow Falls, where hikers climb the < mile uphill path to the parking lot.
| Hike difficulty classifications (link) | |
|---|---|
| Route type | Loop |
| Trail difficulty level | Moderate to strenuous the elevation during the last mile |
| Geographic location | Shenandoah National Park, Central Section |
| Trailhead parking options | Parking lot options: Mile 49.4 or 50.7 on Skyline Drive inside SNP |
| Trail amenities | None |
| Elevation - trailhead | 3,428' |
| Elevation - highest peak | 3,428' |
| Elevation gain | 2,828' |
| Total mileage | 5.8 miles |
| Water sources | Rose River and Hogcamp Branch; Use water filter |
| Highlights | Dark Hollow Falls, 70' falls and cascades along Rose River. |
Click for National Park Service information about the Rose River Falls
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 1:8
Read more about our journey through the Shenandoah National Park:
Hiking the entire Shenandoah National Park
We are hiking every mile of every trail in Shenandoah National Park. Follow along with our journey through the magnificent Blue Ridge Mountains, VA.
