Friday, Aug 23rd Hike, Falls Loop, Shenandoah NP

On a very overcast morning we began our hike.  We crossed Skyline Drive and took the fire road and immediately begin a gentle descending Browns Gap Fire Road.   We saw many very large, mature Tulip Trees.  Just as we crossed an old iron bridge and took a quick break the skies opened up with a 15 minute shower.  We weighed our options but as the rain tappered off we continued on and reached a trail junction at mile 1.8 where we turned right onto Doyle's River trail and then crossed Doyle's River.

Doyle's River trail continues along the water course but swings away as it approaches upper Doyle's falls. At mile 2.1, a side trail leads to the dark pool at the base of the three tiered falls. Many unnamed Cascades accompany you downstream until a sharp switchback lead you to the base of the lower Doyle's falls at mile 2.4.  Lower Doyle's falls is the steeper of the two. The trails squeezes down the narrow gorge using a wooden bridge to span cascading a skating brands that spills into Doyle's River at Mile 2.6. In a small flat that would make a good lunch spot find a trail junction and at the end of Doyle's River trail at mile 3.0.

We veered right on Jones run trail and begin to climb Rock hopping Jones run at mile 3.2. Here is where you will begin to see some really impressive tulip trees. The Jones run gorge is littered with huge boulders. Keep an eye on the creek to as many scenic cakes Cades tumbledown the Rocky watercourse. At mile 3.7 you'll arrive at Jones run falls or water spills 50 feet over a solid rock wall.

We stopped for lunch and relaxed in the waters before starting back and just as we did the skies opened up with heavy showers all the way back to our starting point, which was the next 2.5 hours.  We got back and found that my vehicle had a partially opened sunroof so the interior was fairly wet--seats, console and floors.  We dried it up as best we could and headed back to the campground only to find a tree had fallen blocking Skyline drive until the park service came along and cleared things out which took about 30 minutes.

Bring your swimsuit (or not!) for the cold, deep pools at the bottom of the falls.

Bring 2 liters of water, snacks, lunch, hiking boots, sandals (for swimming) and a rain poncho just in case.

???Water lovers will fall for this loop. The trail passes three major falls and numerous other Cascades as it explores two Boulder strewn canyons.

Hike starts at browns Gap at location of historical significance. Stonewall Jackson passed through here in early 1862 while outwitting Union forces in the Shenandoah Mountains. The union later defended the Gap because of the strategic turnpike which was built in 1805 connecting Richmond with the Shenandoah Valley.

Cross skyline Drive-In immediately begin descending on the browns Gap fire road the same road of yore. Look for a small path leaving the road on your left at mile 0.4. Scramble a few feet up this path to the grave of William Howard Confederate State soldier. Continue on the fire road on a gentle grade down.

At mile 0.9 a cleared area containing relics indicates former habitation. As the trail swings to the left the canopy of tulip trees and oaks thickens. Cross and Ironbridge and reach a trail junction at mile 1.8.

Turn right onto Doyle's River trail. The footpath descends and crosses Doyle's River on an easy rock cop at mile 1.9.

Doyle's River trail continues along the water course but swings away as it approaches upper Doyle's falls. At mile 2.1, a side trail leads to the dark pool at the base of the three tiered falls. Many unnamed Cascades accompany you downstream until a sharp switchback lead you to the base of the lower Doyle's falls at mile 2.4.  Lower Doyle's falls is the steeper of the two. The trails squeezes down the narrow gorge using a wooden bridge to span cascading a skating brands that spills into Doyle's River at Mile 2.6. In a small flat that would make a good lunch spot find a trail junction and at the end of Doyle's River trail at mile 3.0. 

Veer right on Jones run trail and begin to climb Rock hopping Jones run at mile 3.2. Here is where you will begin to see some impressive tulip trees. The Jones run gorge is littered with huge boulders. Keep an eye on the creek to as many scenic cakes Cades tumbledown the Rocky watercourse. At mile 3.7 you'll arrive at Jones run falls or water spills 50 feet over a solid rock wall. The trail turns sharply left and then right to achieve the top of the falls. It races Jones run for a short distance before veering away from the creek. Gently ascend to Ray cove of hardwood forest with an open understory of grass and ferns.

At Mile 4.8 cross Jones run which is minute at this point. The trail begins to ascend more steeply and rise at the Appalachian trail at Mile 5.4 turn right on the AT and head north. The grade back to browns camp is very gentle with intermittent mountain views opening up to your right. The 80 descends before arriving at browns Gap and completing your loop at Mile 6.6.