June 29th, Sat. Hike, Big Branch Falls Shenandoah NP

We parked at Blackrock Gap parking lot, crossed over (heading north) and found the Moorman’s River Fire road.  At about 1/10 mile we crossed a small branch of the river which at this point is just a trickle and continued to head down the path moving into an area with lots of mountain laurel and views of the surround hills up around us.  Around mile 1.4, we’ll come to a gate on the road marking the boundaries of the park and private land (which is now to both sides.  The fireroad remains park property we continued down and could hear the river which had grown in volume, being supplied by many streams on the way down.  Around 1.6 miles we crossed the North Fork Moorman’s river on rocks.  The trail follows the river downstream. Back in the 1990's this was a site of tremendous flooding and damage to roads and property.  Of course, nothing today was visible of that terrible flash flood.  Around mile 1.8 we passed old hunting cabins (barely descernible as cabins) and then came upon old school buses converted to hunting cabins

Continuing on, crossed another fork in the river via the rocks.  We stayed on the west side of the river the rest of the hike down.  At mile around mile 3.0, we crossed Shop Run and start a fairly steep descent into and old washed out area which is pretty rocky indications of a huge mudslide in 1995 in this area.  WE passed one very large swimming pool full of trout.  This pool (35' x 40') was mostly hidded by a bluff and is easily missed.

Around mile 3.5, we came upon another creek and the short trail up to Big Branch Falls.  WE had lunch, relaxed and headed back up to the parking lot.

This hike starts off at Blackrock Gap going down Moorman’s River Fire road.  At mile 0.1, cross a small branch of the river which then parallels the path moving into an area with lots of mountain laurel.  At mile 1.1, we’ll come to a gate on the road. 

At mile 1.4 we’ll hike a junction in the trail.  Turn RIGHT at this junction and cross the North Fork Moorman’s river on rocks.  The trail follows the river downstream. 

At Mile 1.6, turn RIGHT at another junction and pass a ramshackle hunter’s camp on your left.

At mile 1.8, cross the river via the rocks.  We’ll stay on the west side of the river the rest of the hike down.

At mile 2.5, we’ll cross Shop Run and start a fairly steep descent into and old washed out area which is pretty rocky indications of a huge mudslide in 1995 in this area.

At mile 3.3, we’ll come to Big Branch Falls.  There is side trail, at your RIGHT, that brings you to the base of the falls into a pool.  Total Hike is 6.8 miles

Bring waterproof hiking boots, water, lunch, sweat rag, and snacks.  Since this is the Appalachian Mountains, bring a jacket and poncho (or waterproof jacket) for the occasional summer shower.