[GaliWalker]

Blackrock - Trayfoot Mountain - Paine Run loop One of my favorite spots in Shenandoah National Park is Blackrock Summit, which has some interesting boulder gardens. Yesterday, I did a loop hike in Shenandoah, centered around Blackrock Summit. The forecast was all over the place and had been constantly changing in the lead up to hike day: rain, misty conditions, possibly snow, and maybe thunderstorms. I mentally prepared myself for all of them. I knew I wasn’t going to get a sunrise, so I left the house at a more reasonable hour, to arrive at the Blackrock Summit trailhead on Skyline Drive at 10:30am. I picked up the Appalachian Trail and hiked the 0.5mi to Blackrock Summit in no time. Due to the unpredictable forecast, I decided to get my photography at Blackrock Summit out of the way, and not leave it for my return (and potentially better light). I scuttled around taking selfies and exploring the boulder gardens for about 1.75hrs, at which point a wintery mix of rain and snow started to fall, which put a stop to the proceedings.

1- Looking towards Trayfoot Mountain (on the right). I would roll over its summit and then descend into the valley in the far distance (the furthest bump at center).

2

3

I left Blackrock Summit on the Trayfoot Mountain Trail. Due to the rain, I didn’t take many pictures, just the odd documentary snap. This meant that I made quick time, as I rolled over Trayfoot Mountain’s summit – no views due to wooded terrain – then over a few more sub-summits, and finally down to Lefthand Hollow in the valley below. It was raining quite heavily by this time.

4- Trayfoot Mountain Trail

5- Buzzard Rock in the distance

I rock-hopped Paine Run, and then began the climb back up to Skyline Drive. Paine Run Trail was broader and more consistently graded than the Trayfoot Mountain Trail, so I managed to maintain nearly a 3mph pace for the climb. As I reached Blackrock Gap the rain turned to wet snow. I picked up the Appalachian Trail, heading north towards Blackrock Summit, and was soon walking through a winter wonderland. The boulder garden at Blackrock Summit was a totally different landscape than what I’d last seen 4hrs ago. A stiff wind was blowing the snow sideways and thick mist had the visibility down to a couple dozen yards. Thankfully, the trail skirted the rock pile crowning Blackrock Summit, and I didn’t have to go over it, like I did earlier in the day when doing photography, because the footing had become slippery. When I reached my car, it was covered in a 3in blanket of heavy wet snow. Skyline Drive was all white too, which made for a slow and careful drive for a few miles, until I dropped about 500ft in elevation and the snow turned to rain. Yup, the unpredictable weather forecast had been spot-on: a little bit of everything, predictable in its unpredictability.

6- Appalachian Trail

Stats: 10.2mi, 2400ft elevation gain

[Chief Joseph]

Nice. When I was a teenager I went on several trips with my Dad around the country and the Shenandoah Valley is the place that most sticks out in my mind nearly 50 years later.