Hiking ME: Acadia National Park

 Acadia National Park

            During winter, many trails in the Acadia National Park are closed, including the famous Cadillac Mountain. However, there are still many places to visit along the east side of the park. 

            We went there during Spring Break, when there were few visitors in the park.

The |Bubble Mountain and Jordan Pond

 Gorham Mountain

Sand Beach

Near Thunder Hole

 Otter Cove

The Beehive Mountain (on the to-do list)

Hiking VA: Skyline Drive

 Skyline Drive

@Shenandoah National Park (SNP)

The Skyline Drive runs 105 miles north and south along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Shenandoah National Park and is the only public road through the Park. It takes about three hours to travel the entire length of the Park on a clear day. There are nearly 70 overlooks that offer stunning views of the Shenandoah Valley to the west or the rolling Piedmont to the east.

We entered from Thornton Gap Entrance Station at Rt. 211,  and exited at Swift Run Gap Entrance Station at Rt. 33. Stopping at overlooks, we made short hikes, and admired the wonders of nature - sky, clouds, meadows, and mountains.

                                               

                             

                              

                                           Black Hollow Run water falls near the Big Meadows.

                                        

                                           

                                        

 We were  luck enough to observe clouds forming from the valleys after the storms. Under the grey sky and between the blue mountains, white mists formed and rose, becoming larger and thinner, until wind blew them into the sky.

 The Skyline Drive is also a perfect place to star gaze under a clear sky. Our rental house was in the valley, and we were able to watch meteors flew by (8/12/2021) at the nearby field: one was like a fireball, and the other two pieced through the night sky.

Useful links:

https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/driving-skyline-drive.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skyline_Drive

Hiking VA: Hawksbill Mountain

 Hawksbill Mountain

@ Shenandoah National Park (SNP)

                                     

Hawksbill mountain summit is the highest point at SNP, which is 4050 ft. above sea level. It can be reached from the Hawksbill Gap Parking  between the  mile posts 45 and 46 on the Skyline Drive.

There are three trails to reach the summit, among which, the longest one is a 2.9 mile loop overlapping with the Appalachian Trail, and the shortest one is a 1.4 mile out and back trail. 

We took the shortest trail. The view at the summit was amazing, and there were butterflies flying among the wild flowers.

           Thunder storms were forming at the distance and moving toward us. We hurried back to the parking lot and got half wet. 

          It was a fantastic drive on the Skyline Drive.