Trekking SNP to Luray
February 23, 2009
Saturday was a long trek with friends starting in Shenandoah National Park and ending in Luray.
Around 1 p.m., we parked at Jewell Hollow Overlook and gazed at the valley. Opting to walk light, I only brought food, water and a single camera and lens. After following the Appalachian Trail a short distance, we arrived at Leading Ridge Trail, which is a constant downhill path just over a mile to the park boundary. Despite being constantly downhill, the trail was tiring and difficult due to the incline and heavy presence of downed leaves.
After exiting the park, we made our way to Jewell Hollow Road and stopped to check out a property for sale near Morning Star Lake. Instead of walking back uphill we decided to stay in Page County and get the vehicle later. We walked Dry Run Road into Luray before ending our day at a Mexican restaurant in town.
Total walking distance – 9.8 miles
Hiking with company is great, but it’s a tradeoff for wildlife, since everything can hear you coming. Sightings were minimal. For a little while we watched a yak we noticed along the route.
The unfortunate part was that when we re-entered the park that night to retrieve the car, all gates had been closed due to predicted ice Sunday morning. Oops!
Wildlife in Photography 
February 26, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Hi Evan,
Enjoy your photos and blog very much. If you don’t mind telling: how did you get the vehicle out. I ask because I’ve almost been in the same situation. Kind of annoying (at least to me) that the Park Service is so quick to shut the gates.
Thanks.
February 26, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Hi Don,
That night we left the car within the park, since we had others. The next day, my friends drove back out there. I wasn’t with them, but it’s my understanding that the gates were still closed at that time and they talked to a ranger at the entrance station who opened the gate and let them pass.