Loft Mountain, Shenandoah National Park

Made it to Loft Mt., the first National Park campground on the Skyline Drive. Again, Tina got the premier spot with a gorgeous sunset view....later.

The Appalachian Trail circles the campground just a few feet below our sites.

We both had nice pull through sites on the rim.

Campground wildlife...

Long shadows just before sunset.

Stages of sunset...

And the afterglow.

We took a hike to Doyles River Falls, upper and lower falls. Notice Tina is appropriately attired with belt pack and plenty of water, two hiking sticks, and good walking shoes.

Hikers along the Appalachian Trail appreciate this spring, but it is still recommended to filter or boil the water.

The trail follows a creek that flows into Doyles River.

Then it crosses the creek.

When we came to the river we thought this was the Upper Falls, so I took a lot of pictures of it.

But we soon learned we weren't there yet. Tina is testing this log as a resting place on the way back up the mountain.

At last we came to the real Upper Doyles River Falls. It was more impressive.

I left Tina sitting down there admiring it as I continued on to check out the Lower Falls.

Click on the video to watch and listen to the upper falls.

On the trail to Lower Falls.

Rushing cascades.

Through the trees I could see the top of the falls.

More cascades viewed from the trail.

It was a pretty rugged descent to the base of the falls.

And the view was not as good due to the amount of foliage. You couldn't see the top from here.

Bottom of Lower Falls.

Then we climbed back up the mountain. Good workout!

Another day we hiked the shorter trail up the mountain for a fantastic view. It's easier to climb up first and go down on the way back.

Views from Frazier Trail.

Another view. You can see some of the Skyline Drive below.