McGaheysville, VA: Shenandoah Valley Chapter, Dark Hollow Falls-Upper Rose River Trail Hike

We will be hiking the Dark Hollow Falls-Upper Rose River trail on Skyline Drive. There are two options with this hike – a 3.9-mile, 900 ft elevation gain circuit (rated easy,) or a 6.4-mile, 1400 ft elevation gain circuit, rated moderate. Both pass Rose River Falls and the site of an old copper mine. The longer circuit (or as a brief side trip on the short circuit) adds Dark Hollow Falls. The longer circuit offers good views from the Appalachian Trail as it circles Big Meadows picnic and camping areas, and also uses the Story of the Forest Trail.

Please meet at 9am at Kline’s Dairy Bar in McGaheysville (10020 Spotswood Trail, McGaheysville, VA 22840) to carpool to the trailheads. We can determine which circuit people want to hike, and carpool accordingly.

The trailhead for the short circuit is along the west side of Skyline Drive at Fishers Gap, just south of mile marker 49. The trailhead to the longer circuit is at Big Meadows, just south of mile marker 51, with parking in the Amphitheater parking area. Route directions for each circuit option will be provided at our meeting point.