Season Visited: Fall
Trail Length: 12 miles (about six miles each day for two days)
Time to Hike: 2 days
Difficulty Level: Day 1 - 4. Day 2 - 5.
I successfully completed my first solo backpacking trip back in October in - where else? - beautiful Shenandoah National Park! Well, my dog was with me, but I was the only human :P It was a wonderful time, and the fall colors were absolutely gorgeous the third week of October. I couldn't have asked for better weather (with the exception of one brief little drizzle), though it was very cold! If there's one thing you should never underestimate about Shenandoah, it's how cold the mountain air is at night. The park was buzzing with activity as everyone and their mother admired the colors of the leaves. I went again in November - a post hopefully coming soon - and the difference was alarming. The place was a zoo in October, but that didn't stop me from experiencing lovely solitude during the evening and most of my second day of hiking.
The trail starts at Hogback Overlook on Skyline Drive, as seen on this map. I arrived at the parking area (described here in the itinerary I followed) around 10:30 on a Saturday, and I almost didn't find a spot. I basically had to shimmy my little car between a truck and a tree to be able to park there. You've been warned - parking is insane in Shenandoah in October.
After that, however, the trip was a breeze. If you plan to do it, first start hiking the Appalachian Trail for 0.4 miles.
Cleo and I starting out on the AT. Nice level terrain to start with.
You then turn right on the Tuscarora/Overall Run Trail. All trails in Shenandoah are clearly marked and I've never had a problem. Just follow the sign posts and you'll be fine. The map and itinerary posted above are adequate to help you along.
Tuscarora/Overall Run Trail is very lovely, and both the woods and waterfalls are sure to please. The first waterfall you come across is a 29-foot cascade, though you do have to descend a steep side trail if you want to reach the base of it. I'm calling it a side trail, but really there isn't much trail at all. I managed it with Cleo, but it did test our human-dog coordination skills!
Base of the cascade.
The climb back up to the main trail. You kind of just have to make your own way.
After this cascade comes what is probably the true highlight of the trip: a gorgeous view of Shenandoah Valley and a look at the highest waterfall in the park - 93-foot Overall Run Falls. There are lots of fun rocks and crags to play around - just don't fall!
Overall Run Falls.
Shenandoah Valley.
Victory!
Sweeping panoramic view.
After this majestic view is a section of steep downhill navigation. It's not too much of a challenge, unless you have trouble with downhill hiking, as some people do. All I can say is that I'm glad I wasn't going the other way. Some people were, and I really felt for them!
Going down. Further down it became rockier.
At the bottom you are greeted with a gorgeous forest floor, Stay to the left when the trail splits and you come to another lovely cascade, not marked on the map. Just a little further on from here is where you will find comfortable, level camping spots to sleep for the night, still on Overall Run Trail. I stayed near the brook, listening to the water in the evening and collecting my drinking water from it the next day. Pleasant dreams!
Cascade near camp.
Water near the campsite.
Camp Sweet Camp!
Attempted to fill my camelback from this little waterfall the next day. Not as easy as I thought it was going to be! Hopefully it will be easier when I get my hands on a real water filter... soon, I hope!
And so begins your second day. I definitely worked up a sweat on day one, but nothing prepared me for day two. The itinerary made no mention of the fact that the second day is basically five miles of rather steep uphill climbing, pretty much nonstop. My lack of knowledge was, of course, my own fault. Because the park provides free maps online, I use those instead of breaking down and paying the 15 bucks or so that would get me a real, topographical map. I therefore have no clue what type of elevation gain I'm getting myself into unless specifically mentioned by the itinerary. Again, I admit full responsibility here. Even more so, since I'm not too stupid to realize that most hikes that start from Skyline Drive go down since the Drive covers ridge lines at high elevation... and what goes down must come up. Despite all this, I really was not prepared for the difficulty level of the second day. It's uphill. It's steep. And it takes a while. If you go, be mentally and physically prepared.
Early morning climb.
The second day of the hike also involves many trail changes. Be alert, follow the itinerary and map, and you will be fine!
Ultimately, this hike was really nice, especially on the first day. I wouldn't do it again without being in much better shape due to the difficulty of day two, but I am so glad I made the trek.
My first solo hike was fun, challenging, and filled with great views and adventure. If you are a solo female hiker, please know that you should do everything in your power to get outside. If you are like me, you are constantly being discouraged, almost entirely due to your gender. I have been told by multiple people that, given my actions, it would be my own fault if I was murdered or raped. These people are often close to me, the people who are supposed to encourage me and nurture my dreams. Oddly enough, a lot of my encouragement comes from strangers I meet on the trail, who tell me how awesome they think it is that I hike alone as a female. It feels good to be called brave, ballsy, and badass (all things I have been called on the trail), but what I really hope for is the day when a female hiking alone is commonplace, and no one doubts her ability or safety purely because of her sex.
Ladies, be prepared and don't be scared. Trust your instincts and have a plan of action for if something does happen to go wrong. Don't give in to fear. YOU are the only thing standing in the way of your dreams.
Keep on wandering.
