Park trails offer 500-plus miles of autumn-hued foilage

By Anne Causey
Media General News Service

Published: October 10, 2008

The Shenandoah National Park has more than 500 miles of trails. Luckily, it’s not very far away at an hour or so drive. And the fall can be a good time for road trips.

While many of the trails can be difficult — hiking up steep inclines or down slippery slopes — there are alternatives for those who like to get outdoors but want a less of a challenge.

The Limberlost Trail, at milepost 43, is different from many trails along the drive. It’s an ADA accessible trail (meaning a wheelchair can travel on it) with a crushed green walkway and only a slight grade. The circuit hike of 1.3 miles is good for any age. The trail passes through forest and mountain laurel and crosses over several long wooden walkways.

The first time I hiked this trail, about eight years ago, I was struck by the humongous hemlock trees and the giant oaks that shaded the trail. Unfortunately, this time I was struck by a different sight. Many of these giants lay on the ground or were chopped up. 

Invasive insects, the wooly adelgid and the gypsy moth, knawed into many of the trees, which were later knocked down by storms.

When I hiked the trail recently, I got to see animals galore. Deer, squirrels, even several chattering chipmunks dashing over the cut tree trunks. So, this is a perfect trail if you have a couple of rowdy youngsters in the car who don’t necessarily have the skills to hike up a mountain.

Without the monster trees, it’s not quite the same, but it’s still a nice walk. There are other birches, maples and white pines to admire, and at this time of year, you’ll see some color.

Visitors flock to the Drive in October to see the colorful fall leaves. The park reports that it’s difficult to pick the “peak date” because of the varied elevations of hollows and summits in the 70 mile long park that includes nearly 200,000 acres.

Usually the colors of fall are at their most brilliant in Shenandoah around the third week of October. But don’t think you can arrive there on a Saturday or Sunday and be alone in your explorations. Others will be lined up right behind you. My advice is to go earlier than the anticipated peak, after, or on a weekday.

If you go within the next week, you will get to enjoy the purple dogwoods and red sumac on the lower elevations, as well as bright red Virginia creeper vines winding around trees and over the rock walls. You’ll even find wildflowers blooming along the drive, including the vibrant Goldenrods and showy Purple Asters. Cinnamon colored ferns decorate the forest floor and roadway. Big Meadows, Milepost 51, is arrayed with lots of colors including bright red blueberry and huckleberry bushes.

Most of the facilities shut down in November Nov. 30 for the Harry Byrd Sr. center at Big Meadows. Big Meadows Lodge closes Nov. 2, while Skyland stays open until Nov. 30. You can also camp until Nov. 30 at Big Meadows. Getting onto the Skyline Drive costs $15 for a one day vehicle pass ($10 for December to February), and $30 for an annual pass, good for up to four adults in a vehicle. Also, when you visit, take a jacket and warm clothing. The temperature tends to be 10 to 15 degrees colder than the lower elevations.