On the other side of the road from the Byrd Visitor Centre and Big Meadows Campground is a large tract of cleared land called the ‘meadow’. They are not sure how it came to be there but it was probably cleared of trees many years ago by settlers, before Shenandoah was proclaimed a National Park. It has been decided that the meadow should be maintained and in order to do so it is virtually divided into thirds; each year on a rotation basis one section is burnt, another has its grass cut and the third is untouched.
We were fortunate to explore the area and hear of its history through Ranger Kate, who led us through the meadow and encouraged us to consider its importance in relation to the plants and animals that lived there.
The Byrd Visitor Center, close to Big Meadows Campground, offered an excellent service and one of the rangers recommended a good trail for our first hike in these mountains. Starting out from the Byrd Visitor Centre, we headed towards Dark Hollow Falls, then around the Rose River Loop Trail to Rose River Falls and onto Fishers Gap Overlook, before arriving back in Big Meadows Campground. This was a five mile hike and we took it slowly.
Big Meadows Road and Trail Map
In memory of the young men who between 1933 and 1942 worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps Camps for the recreation of future generations.
Representing the young men who worked as Civilian Conservation Corps Camp members.
In front of the Byrd Visitor Center, becoming bear aware!
Starting out on our hike ...
Dark Hollow Falls
Butterflies!!!
Fungi
At Fishers Gap Overlook, just before the final leg of the Appalachian Trail taking us back to Big Meadows Campground.
73 mile route from Staunton to Big Meadows, Shenandoah National Park. A scenic drive along Skyline Drive, with a speed limit of 35 mile per hour; we drove it both ways early in the morning, soon after sunrise.
We left Staunton, Virginia for the drive along Skyline Drive at about 6.30 am on the Friday morning; there was little traffic and we appreciated the views each side of the ridge. We spotted our first black bear ahead on a bushy bank on the side of the road.
