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Join me for a strenuous hike (8 miles with 2,100 feet of elevation gain) to visit three waterfalls --- Lewis Spring Falls, Rose River Falls, and Dark Hollow Falls --- near Big Meadows in the Central District of Shenandoah National Park. Starting from the Big Meadows Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center, we will hike a short distance along the Skyline Drive before taking a service road that leads to the blue-blazed trail to Lewis Spring Falls. After visiting Lewis Spring Falls, we'll continue our clockwise loop hike on the blue-blazed trail until we intersect with and continue on the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. About half-way through our hike we turn off the AT onto a fire road to cross the Skyline Drive, and after crossing the Skyline Drive, we continue on the fire road a short distance before forking left on a yellow-blazed horse trail. After descending on the horse trail for about a half mile, fork right on the blue-blazed trail to Rose River Falls where we'll break for lunch. After lunch, we'll continue our clockwise loop hike on the blue-blazed trail to our third and final waterfall, Dark Hollow Falls, where we'll take another short break. From Dark Hollow Falls we'll continue on the blue-blazed trail, climbing to and crossing the Skyline Drive. Shortly after crossing the Skyline Drive, we'll fork left on the Story of the Forest trail to complete the final half-mile of our hike, returning to the Visitor Center. Here are details for this event: * **Distance:** 8 miles * **Elevation gain:** 2,100 feet * **Pace:** \~2.5 miles/hour * **Difficulty:** Strenuous ([hiking difficulty scale](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/how-to-determine-hiking-difficulty.htm)) * **Start time:** 9:30 a.m. * **Duration:** 4 hours * **Hike map:** https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/three-falls-lewis-spring-rose-river-dark-hollow-ecd62de * **Trailhead parking:** Big Meadows Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center * **Parking coordinates:** 38.51788, -78.43693 **What to bring** Make sure your emergency contact information is in your pack. Bring backpack, hiking poles, food, water, sunscreen, insect repellent. Dress for the weather, including hat, layers, and rain gear as needed. **Dogs** No dogs are allowed on this hike as pets are prohibited on the [Dark Hollow Falls Trail](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/pets.htm). **Park entrance / parking fees** You are required to pay an [entrance fee](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm) or present your "America the Beautiful" [park pass](https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/passes.htm) in order to access Shenandoah National Park. **Rehydration** TBD **Weather** Here's a National Weather Service URL you can use to check the 7-day weather forecast at the trailhead (Big Meadows Harry F. Byrd, Sr. Visitor Center). [https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.51788&lon=-78.43693](https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=38.51788&lon=-78.43693) In case of poor or severe weather, this hike will be postponed. **Disclaimer** Blue Mountain Hiking Club Organizers are not professional guides. Expect the same risks and take the same precautions you would take if you were hiking alone. With your RSVP you agree with the following **[Disclaimer / Liability Waiver](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kpSRdwadNo1oIsc4af64sADiz5nlfyHq/view)**.