Rose River Falls Hike

We arrived at the parking/overlook area around 1000, walked around the warm, sunny morning and then crossed over Skyline Drive to the trailhead.  We headed down the Rose River fire road, a nice easy beginning to our hike. We noticed a sign for Cave Gravesite so decided to check it out.  Found gravesites about 150’ from the fire road dating from the early 1940s up through 2013, so the local families that have ties to this once private land are still using the gravesites.

After 15 minutes of reading and observing, we continued back on the Rose River fire road towards Dark Hallow Falls with the sounds of the Rose River drawing us further down the fire road.  After 10-12 minutes we arrived at some falls below Dark Hallow Falls where the Rose River Fire Road meets up with the Dark Hallow Falls Trail and the Rose River Trail Loop.

We crossed the fire road bridge and descended down the Rose River Trail Loop which follows the river and its many cascades and pools for about a mile.  In several locations we spotted trout looking for a mate in surprisingly small pools. We finally reached the bottom, crossed a sturdy, arched bridge and headed back up the trail to get a sight of Rose River Falls.  After 15 minutes of ascending, we came around a hill and could hear the falls.  We walked over to the overlook, had lunch, snacks, and water and relaxed.  A couple of us hike down to the base of the falls to get a better look and one of us (me) managed to slip on some leaf-covered, wet and mossy rocks causing a tumble and two badly jammed fingers.  OUCH.  No matter how careful all it takes is one very slick spot and off-balance position to ruin your day.  I carried on, minding my sore hand.

After spending a fair amount of time enjoying the falls, we left them for others to enjoy and began the hike back up passing all the late-risers who were just starting the hike down.  We got back to the parking lot 3 hours and 15 minutes after we began for a total of about 3.7 miles.

https://virginiatrailguide.com/2009/05/16/rose-river-loop/

In Central Shenandoah National Park, just north of the Byrd Visitor's Center, Big Meadows, there are quite a few nice trails with water views.  Join us for a great morning hike for a moderately easy 4 mile hike.