November 11, 2023 - Skyline Drive, 10 Years Later

This trip to Shenandoah National Park was my first in almost 10 years. It was also my first time in Page County, VA in around 8 years, and my first time ever in Rappahannock County, VA. I took 825 photos in this trip, making it 5th all time in that category.

The Trip - Part One

The idea for this trip came the morning I went. It was Veterans Day, so Skyline Drive was free. I left my house around 10:15 AM and took my first picture at 10:20 AM. Not long after, made a couple of stops before I turned west onto US 33, and headed towards Stanardsville. Just east of Stanardsville, I stopped at Peyton's on Business US 33 to get some brunch.

The park is 12 miles from Ruckersville. Skyline Drive is 15 miles away.

I returned to the trip around 11:30 AM and rejoined Mainline US 33 at 11:36 AM. Shortly after, I started the climb up the Blue Ridge Mountains. At 11:41 AM, I entered Shenandoah National Park and got on the Swift Run Gap Entrance Road at 11:45 AM. I went right through the toll booth without paying, just like everyone else that day, and got greeted by a "FIRE BAN" sign, since the Quaker Run Fire was happening during this trip.

Entering Shenandoah National Park.

I went about 30-32 miles north from Swift Run Gap.

A few seconds later, I got on Skyline Drive for the first time in almost 10 years. I skipped the Hensley Hollow Overlook in favor of the South River Overlook, which looks down onto Greene County. At 11:55 AM, I stopped at the Baldface Mountain Overlook, which looks down onto Rockingham & Page Counties. 

Looking down onto Greene County.

Looking down onto Rockingham County.

I skipped The Oaks Overlook, before entering Page County for the first time in around 8 years at 12:06 PM. I then stopped at The Point Overlook 5 minutes later, where you could see mountains well past Harrisonburg, and US 33 was visible curving around the south end of Massanutten Mountain. At 12:18 PM, I stopped at Hazeltop Ridge Overlook. I skipped Naked Creek Overlook, before stopping at Tanners Ridge Overlook, where you can view the town of Stanley. I then stopped at Big Meadows, where I got myself a nice shirt. I also took some trails in the big meadow. I would be there for an hour.

A tree is part of this Page County view.

A big sign pointing to Big Meadows.

14 miles into this northbound journey.

The Trip - Part Two

At 1:35 PM, I returned to Skyline Drive, before stopping at Fishers Gap Overlook and Franklin Cliffs Overlook. I continued north through a windy part of the road, before stopping at Spitler Knoll Overlook. At 1:58 PM, I stopped at Old Rag View Overlook, which had some great views of Madison County.

Skyline Drive with a mountain in the picture.

Stanley and Luray are somewhere here.

Old Rag View Overlook is stunning in person.

At 2:07 PM, I skipped the Crescent Rock Overlook, and a minute later, I passed Skyland, followed by the highest point on Skyline Drive. At 2:12 PM, I visited Thorofare Mountain Overlook, which has some more great views of Madison County and Old Rag Mountain.

Hawksbill Mountain is the highest point in the park.

Approaching Skyland.

Thorofare Mountain Overlook is ahead.

At 2:20 PM, I skipped Stony Man Mountain Overlook and Jewell Hollow Overlook and finally entered Rappahannock County for the first time ever at 2:24 PM. To celebrate, I stopped at Pinnacles Overlook, which has the best views of Old Rag Mountain, and Madison/Rappahannock Counties.

An insanely beautiful and dangerous view.

My first ever picture in Rappahannock County!

The best Old Rag view. If you look really closely in the far back, you can see some of Albemarle County’s Southwest Mountains.

I then turned around and headed back south. I stopped at Jewell Hollow Overlook after skipping it a few minutes prior. I returned to the road at 2:43 PM and also stopped at Stony Man Mountain Overlook. I continued south on Skyline Drive, before stopping at Spitler Knoll Overlook again at 3:07 PM.

My last picture in Rappahannock County, for now.

An overlook sign with the view.

An extremely amazing view featuring the sun glare.

At 3:14 PM, I passed Big Meadows again, without stopping. I reached US 33 at 3:36 PM, skipping every overlook before the interchange. I stayed on Skyline Drive and stopped at Swift Run Overlook. I also stopped at Sandy Bottom Overlook and Bacon Hollow Overlook. The latter has some amazing views of Greene/Albemarle Counties.

Somewhere in Madison County.

40 miles between US 33 and I-64 is crazy.

Rockingham County is stunning.

Bacon Hollow Overlook, with Greene and Albemarle Counties.

At 3:50, I turned back around and headed north towards Swift Run Gap. There, I went back on the connector road to leave Skyline Drive. I headed down the mountain, back into Greene County. At 4:03 PM, I officially left Shenandoah National Park. I completed my descent of the Blue Ridge Mountains shortly after. At 4:12 PM, I took my final picture of the Trip, just west of the east end of Business US 33.

Leaving Skyline Drive.

Entering Greene County again.

Leaving Shenandoah National Park.

Afterwards:

I gained a headache not too long after returning home that evening. I would have added the City of Charlottesville to my November 2023 counties for dinner but decided to not go due to the headache. During my stop at Skyland, I bought a Shenandoah National Park T-shirt, which is cool. I was going to get a hat but decided on the shirt for good reasons.

On the trip, I entered Rappahannock County, VA for the first time ever, and visited Page County, VA for the first time in years. I would re-enter both of these counties again on March 18, 2024, that time I passed through them to and from Winchester.