Saturday, Aug 24th Hike, Piney River Falls, Shenandoah NP

We had a very cool, breezy and totally cloudless start to our trip.  We parked and looked for the trailhead which was about 100 yds away.  We started the hike and as we approached the intersesction with the Appalachian Trail we could hear a person with a small bell on the AT passing behing us and then getting closer and coming up behind us.  As we all turned around we recognized it as one of our other hikers who arrived early and was starting the hike early but then quick got on the wrong trail, so it was providence that we all met up at the first 1/4 mile of the hike!

The Piney Branch trail winded its way down to the valley making very gentle switchbacks and lots of bear scat full of seeds from berries they had been consuming.  We eventually came to the upper reaches of the Piney River a mile 1.3, crossed over and the trail curved to the right across more feeder streams which were mostly dry although we had a good rain the night before.t the junction with the Pole Bridge Link Trail at mile 1.4.  Turn RIGHT and stay on the Piney Branch trail. The path follows an old road on a slight downgrade. Notice the gorge of Piney River on your right.  It is rather strange that there are so VERY FEW pine trees on this trail!

We crossed the Piney River at mile 3.0.  We soon came to a nice waterfall which had no visible path to get you there over the boulders so we passed it by looking for the larger Piney River Falls. At Mile 3.4  we saw a small side trail leading to a bluff above the falls where we had lunch.  We climbed down a steep path and spent time at the falls wading in the cool waters and exploring each level of the falls carefully.  We were joined by a fly fisherman who wasn't have much luck but enjoying his hike and adventures, nonetheless.

We headed back up the same trail as we came down but decided to make a path to the other waterfall, climbing over boulders and rocks to get there to view the falls and a hidden pool at its base. As we prepared to cross the Piney River we noticed movement in the shallow pools below as trout darted from one rock to another.

Towards the end of the hike where we spotted lots of bear scat we happened to look to the right in the woods and there, about 100' away was a large black bear keenly looking at us unti it moved on behind a small thicket.  

We got back to our vehicles and had a nice 60 minute drive back to our campsite spotting a bear on our way back just off Skyline Drive.

Bring 2 liters of water, snacks, lunch, hiking boots, and a rain poncho just in case.  Bring your swimsuit (or not!) for the cold, deep pools at the bottom of the falls.

 It's surprising that this hike isn't more popular. The scenery along the way meets the high Shenandoah standards and the falls are a worthy destination. To get there leave the Piney River development area and gently wind your way through pleasing high country woods. Work your way down through the Piney River valley on old roads and take a short side trail to the three-tiered falls.

Start your hike at the back of the field between skyline drive and the parking area across from the old CCC camp building now uses a maintenance office.  Look for the concrete post marked “Piney Branch Trail”. At mile 0.1 the trail intersect the Appalachian Trail and continue forward crossing a grassy Lane.

The Piney Branch trail winds its way down to the valley making very gentle switchbacks. You come to the upper reaches of the Piney River a mile 1.3 and curves to the right across more feeder streams. The trail rises at the junction with the Pole Bridge Link Trail at mile 1.4.  Turn RIGHT and stay on the Piney Branch trail. The path follows an old road on a slight downgrade. Notice the gorge of Piney River on your right.

At mile 2.0 the old road continues forward but the Piney Branch trail veers right and follows another old road. The trail runs a fair distance above the creek, descending at a moderate but steady clip. Cross the Pawnee River at mile 3.0. You are now on the western side of the river and the falls are only 0.4 miles away. There are many, smal??l Cascades along the Piney River as you make your way down stream.

Pass two house-sized Rock bluffs on your right at mile 3.2.  Begin listening for the falls which are only 0.2 miles away. At Mile 3.4 turn LEFT on a side trail leading to the falls. Piney River falls is a 25-foot three tiered Cascade that flows over mossy rocks into deep and wide pools. It's a good place to cool off after a hot hike. Be careful getting to and from the falls.