Hiking the Shenandoah

Greetings from Northern VA. So, almost summer. To compensate for our lack of ocean kayaking, we have decided to become hikers, bikers and fishers...will update with bike and fishing photos when we do them. But, this past weekend, we hiked up to Cedar Run falls in the Shenandoah National Forest (http://www.nps.gov/shen/). The area is beautiful and the water was very cold. I have added a link to my webshots page, where I have loaded a few of the better photos (http://community.webshots.com/user/alwaysbprepared).

But, here are a few as well...

Ann, looking like a seasoned hiker...

Cedar Run Falls and Whiteoak Canyon Falls are two of several multi-mile trails that connect Skyline Drive (http://www.byways.org/explore/byways/60646/) with the outside world. We didn't actually drive onto Skyline, we took a few country backroads to a trail entry point that is in the valley and hiked up the mountains to the falls...which means, we hiked DOWN the mountain on the way back - which I highly recommend!! Here is a map of the hike area:


Once hiking, we came across many beautiful locations. Here is my favorite...


It was clear that the water can be much higher, as seen in all the huge trees acorss the stream in some places...like this...

And this...

As we were climbing up to have a look at another falls area, we happened to come across some local wildlife...needless to say, we gave this critter some space...

So, here is where it was "rocking out"...

And, one last little pool awaited us before we had a snack and started back to the car.

I will post more photos as we have the adventures. Thanks for looking, and let me know what you think, ok?

JD