Little Stony Man Hike - Shenandoah National Park

Photographs: © Lauren Johnson | Instagram: @laurenbexplorin_photography

(a photo gallery is at the end of the story)

My dad came into town on Saturday. On our drive home from the airport, we discussed what we were going to do tomorrow, and we ended up deciding we were going to go for a day trip to Shenandoah National Park, strictly to take photos of scenery and hike Little Stony Man trail.

We discussed the fact that the government has been shut down for a while, and that the park might be closed, but we chanced it, and boy am I glad we did!

There was person at the front entrance happily let us in without paying the fee of $30, because her register had some kind of complication, and was being maintenanced at the time. (Thornton Gap Entrance) We made the decision to try to pay the attendant at the exit, but unfortunately, nobody was manning that station at the time. (Swift Run Gap Entrance)

Once we entered the park, the first thing we came up on was Mary's Rock Tunnel, and it was the most beautiful I've ever seen it. The water that usually runs down the rocks and the mountain in general, froze into these gorgeous stalactite-like crystal clear icicles. I've never seen anything like it! I made sure to get a photo of my dad in front of it, he looked super tiny compared to the tunnel itself.

Next on our journey was the Little Stony Man trail. I looked up this trail the night prior, while my dad and I were still discussing coming to the park. We had to have something to hike of course!

It was a very short walk in general to the actual overlook itself, and took my dad and I about 25 minutes to reach it. My dad held both of the dogs for me so I could take photos, and he really enjoyed it because they pulled him uphill the entire time! He had it easy, until he got a dose of his vertigo, and slipped and hit the side of his thigh on the sharp edge of a rock. He's fine, he got right up and walked it off. What a man. That's my dad.

The view was astounding! I cannot even begin to describe it. It's a good thing I can take photos :).

I highly recommend this trail for a quick hike out & back. You'll probably only be away from your vehicle for about an hour tops, depending on how many photos you want to take/what your walking pace is. The incline isn't too bad, you can take your parents, but for god's sake, don't take your grandparents. I would never take my Grandma, it is too dangerous for fragile people, even though it's marked as "easy". I'm sure she'd be fine, but I wouldn't chance it. She's ok with looking at my photos instead anyway.(I love you Grandma!)

Now listen, I didn't know at the time that dogs weren't allowed on this trail, (and for good reason I might add), I somehow missed the first sign at the beginning. I saw the no dogs sign at the intersection of the Appalachian Trail and the Stony Man trail, but we were a little more than halfway there, and I wasn't about to turn back and ditch my plans to see this thing. (I mean, who was gonna stop us anyway, right?) Plus, the dogs go everywhere with me anyway, and I know when it's safe and when it gets too dangerous for my pups. I did not let them anywhere near the rocky edge. They stayed on the pathway, and sat patiently for my dad and I to take a few photos and return to them. On our way out, we saw a couple with their pair of dogs too, so we were relieved to see we weren't the only ones breaking the rules, but at least we did it 50% by accident, in a way.

After our lovely 45 minute hike, we decided we were both hungry, and to make way for the exit. Along the way we stopped at a bunch of overlooks though, to ensure we got our full dose of nature. Besides, the road was closed just past the exit anyway, because of ice damage, so our trip had to be over.

We stopped at this bangin' place called "BBQ Exchange" in Gordonsville, and I will not lie, it was the best BBQ I have personally ever had in Virginia. (if you want the good stuff, go to Hawaii) We got the Family meal of Pulled Pork BBQ with Rolls, Mac & Cheese, Baked Beans, and Coleslaw. Man, it was so good!

Try it! I recommend it!

#hiking #shenandohanationalpark #nationalpark #littlestonyman #dogs