Shenandoah National Park took our breath away!

We are so fortunate to be within a few hours drive to Shenandoah National Park - a fall annual pilgrimage that never gets old. This year - the challenge was enjoying the park and the trails while avoiding fellow nature lovers in the midst of the pandemic. Our game plan was to travel during the work week. If the park was crowded - Skyline drive would offer beautiful scenery from the seclusion and safety of our car. We booked a cabin at Shenandoah Crossroads and spent our first morning enjoying the property we were staying at- which was quite lovely.

We drove part of Sky Line Drive and the trail heads were all super packed - so we spent the day driving and getting off at Overlooks. We were able to find a the coolest little trail at the Crescent Rock Overlook ( MP 44). It is not very obvious from overlook - so glad we spotted it! A little loop ( a mile- maybe) but gave us great views and total seclusion.

During our tour of Skyline Drive Overlooks - we found a cool path at the Point Overlook ( MP 55/ 56). If you look at gap in the middle of wall at overlook there is a narrow path which leads to an outcrop of rocks that has amazing views. The Point Overlook is recommended as a great sunset viewing spot - we will come back next year and try to catch a sunset from this little vantage point. My new favorite spot in the park!

We came up with a new plan so we could literally get our boots on the ground -but avoid contact with other hikers - a sunrise hike of Little Stony Man. We arrived at the park in the dark and it was so different than we had ever seen it. Watching the park come to life as the sun rose was spectacular. The first overlook from Little Stony Man should also make for great sunset viewing (We will verify during next year's trek !) There are several overlooks on this trail which were very windy and all stunning. We were the first car at the trailhead parking...we only saw 3 other hiking groups during our morning there... and by the time we left parking was overflowing - so we were glad we were able to leave when we did!

It's worth a second mention that the first overlook was super windy! Rusty gets the best "Good Sport" Award for waking up at 4:30 am on vacation for a sunrise hike. he assures me it was totally worth it!