Dark Hollow Falls - Shenandoah National Park

We wanted to hike someplace with waterfalls very badly this weekend. We've had so much rain, that I knew all the local waterfalls would be running nicely. On Friday it was cloudy, but way too windy for photos. Sunday was a total washout - it poured all day long. But on Saturday, we had a brief period of time in the morning that the winds were calm and the skies were cloudy with only light drizzle. We decided to make a quick run up to the park to hike Dark Hollow Falls. The trail is a very brief 1.4 miles, so even if it starts pouring, you can be back to your car in ten minutes.

 

Saturday was the first time in a few years that I walked down the Dark Hollow Falls trail proper. We visit the falls frequently, but usually access it via the Rose River Trail or the Fisher's Gap Fire Road. I tend to avoid the actual Dark Hollow trail because it's too crowded and overused. But on this particular morning, we only saw about ten other people. On pleasant days, you might pass 50+ people on the hike. (that's a lot of hikers to see on a trail barely over a mile in length!)

 

Anyhow... the water was running really well. By late summer, the falls are usually slowed to a trickle. I don't really think Dark Hollow Falls are the most photogenic of falls, even in the best of conditions. But, we still had a fun walk and enjoyed breakfast at Skyland Lodge afterward.

Done