Shenandoah River State Park, VA - Bluebell Loop

ABOUT THE PARK:  Raymond R. "Andy" Guest Jr. Shenandoah River State Park

DIRECTIONS:
GPS coordinates to cabin trail head: 38.848503, -78.318693

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This hike started at the kiosk at the cabin access trail right outside of my cabin.  There is no parking if not staying in a cabin so this hike would need to start from one of the public parking lots below.

Parking at Culler's Overlook:  GPS Coordinates 38.8522,-78.30646
Parking at the canoe launch:  GPS Coordinates 38.8636,-78.309898

TRAIL MAP:
Shenandoah River State Park Trail Guide - Virginia State Parks
Shenandoah River State Park, VA - Bluebell Loop at EveryTrail


HIKE DISTANCE:  4.3 miles

THE HIKE:

Trail head at the cabins.

Descending towards the river.

At the intersection with the orange-blazed Culler's Trail, a jog to the left then a right turn on a mowed path cuts over to the green-blazed River Trail.

Turn right on the River Trail; there are several short side trails on the left to benches at the river.

Shenandoah River with Massanutten Mountain in the background.

Steps down to the river from the trail.

The River Trail ends and the blue-blazed Bluebell trail begins, continuing along the river.

Straight ahead is the canoe launch parking, an alternate parking spot for this hike.  Here turn right on the green-blazed Hemlock Hollow Trail.

A bridge over Hemlock Hollow,

Coming up behind the visitor center.

Culler's Overlook up above.

View from the trail under the Culler's Overlook deck.

View from the Culler's Overlook deck.  (The other parking option for this hike.)

Continuing on the blue-blazed Campground Trail from Culler's Overlook.

View of the campground from the trail.

A very short walk on Overnight Road ...

... to just beyond the trail crossing sign ...

... leads to the orange-blazed Culler's Trail.

There birds were having a blast splashing around in a puddle on Culler's Trail.

Waiting for me to pass so they could get back to bathing.

Culler's Trail along the fields.

Heading back up to the cabin.

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  Take cabin access trail at trailhead kiosk next to cabin 6
[  0.20]  Turn left on orange-blazed Culler’s Trail briefly then right on unmarked mowed path
[  0.30]  Turn right on green-blazed River Trail (watch for multiple side trails to river views on left)
[  0.90]  Continue straight on blue-blazed Bluebell Trail
[  1.90]  Turn right on green-blazed Hemlock Hollow Trail
[  2.40]  Turn right on burgundy-blazed Overlook Trail behind visitor’s center
[  2.90]  At intersection continue straight to Culler’s Overlook; retrace
[  3.05]  Back at the intersection, turn left on purple-blazed Campground Trail
[  3.65]  Turn left on paved campground road then at the stop sign turn right on Overnight Road
[  3.70]  Turn right on orange-blazed Culler’s Trail just beyond “Trail Crossing” sign
[  4.15]  Turn left on unmarked cabin access trail
[  4.30]  Back at trailhead at cabin 6

Shenandoah National Park, VA - Rose River

ABOUT THE PARK:
Shenandoah National Park - National Park Service
Skyline Drive - National Park Service
This hike passes by Cave Cemetery.  This interview with a family member gives some history about the cemetery.

DIRECTIONS:

GPS Coordinates 38.534181, -78.422430

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There is hiker parking (on the right) just to the north of the Fishers Gap Overlook (on the left).

TRAIL MAPS:
Big Meadows Trail Map - National Park Service
Shenandoah National Park Map 228 - National Geographic
Shenandoah National Park, VA - Rose River at EveryTrail


HIKE DISTANCE:  4.2 miles

THE DRIVE FROM SHENANDOAH RIVER STATE PARK TO THE HIKE:

The state park was in a cloud early in the morning.

There was enough of a break in the clouds overhead for a nice view of the moon.

The sun rising behind Shenandoah National Park.

From Skyline Drive, the clouds that are covering everything down below.

Skyline Drive residents enjoying breakfast.

THE HIKE:

Follow the Rose River Loop sign from the parking area crossing over Skyline Drive.

Just the other side of Skyline Drive beyond the barrier the Rose River Fire Road continues straight.  To the left is the Rose River Loop Trail.  Every writeup I have seen of the hike has it starting by turning left on the Rose River Loop Trail and returning on the fire road.  I did this in reverse starting on the gradual descent of the fire road and ending with the steeper climb up the Rose River Loop Trail.  I liked this way better since the fire road would have been along, boring uphill at the end of the hike.

There were tons of birds along the fire road.

Descending on the Rose River Fire Road.

A side trail on the right leads to Cave Cemetery.

So many children buried here.

There are many newer headstones and even one new grave that did not yet have a headstone, just a temporary marker.

The descent on the fire road was very pleasant and pretty.

We were being watched.

At the bottom, the Dark Hollow Falls Trail leave to the right.  It would be worth going to the falls since it does not appear to be very far but we weren't able to as it is one of the few trails in Shenandoah National Park where dogs are not allowed.

Some falls coming out of Dark Hollow at the bridge crossing on the fire road.

After crossing the bridge over Hogcamp Branch the fire road continues but turn left on the Rose River Loop Trail.

This very scenic trail follows along Hogcamp Branch.

Many cascades along the way.

After crossing this bridge over Hogcamp Branch,

the trail follows along Rose River to

Rose River Falls (67')

Rose River Falls from the top.

The Rose River Loop Trail ascends through the woods back to the intersection with the fire road from the beginning of the hike.

After crossing Skyline Drive, a quick walk over to the views at Fishers Gap Overlook.

THE DRIVE BACK TO SHENANDOAH RIVER STATE PARK:

Lunch time on Skyline Drive.

Old Rag

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]   Cross Skyline Drive at the crosswalk and continue straight beyond gate on the Rose River Fire Road (left is the return route)
[  0.50]  Cave cemetery on the right; retrace
[  0.65]  Right on Rose River Fire Road exiting cemetery
[  1.20]  Dark Hollow Falls trail goes right (can add as an out-and-back but dogs are not allowed), continue across bridge then turn left on Rose River Loop Trail
[  2.10]  Cross bridge
[  2.70]  Rose River Falls
[  3.05]  Turn left at concrete post
[  3.50]  Continue straight on Rose River Loop Trail when Skyland Big Meadows horse trail goes right
[  4.00]  Turn right on Rose River Fire Road, cross Skyline Drive, veer left to Fishers Gap Overlook
[  4.10]  Fishers Gap Overlook; retrace to Skyline Drive, turn left then left again to parking
[  4.20]  Back at parking