Taylor’s First Real Hike
Wanting to get Taylor out for her first real hike, we looked for a good waterfall hike and found Lewis Falls. This is also my first hike post-partum.
Gander kept a good watch on Taylor for us during the almost 3 hour drive to the Big Meadows Amphitheater. He stayed like this for the majority of the drive. I think it is safe to say that he loves “his” baby.
We pulled off at an overlook before arriving to the trail to get a couple of pictures of Taylor with the mountain background.
We finally arrived at the Big Meadows Amphitheater, put our boots on, got Taylor and Gander ready and it was time to hit the trail.
Lewis Falls
- Location: Shenandoah National Park (Stanley, VA); Big Meadows Amphitheater
- Distance: 3.3 mile
- Trail type: Loop
- Elevation Gain: 990 feet
- Terrain: Rocky/rooty descent to the falls
- Trail: Lewis Spring Falls Trail, Appalachian Trail
The trail begins with a hike down to a trail marker, turn left at this marker and it will take you to the Appalachian Trail, go right at the fork and this will be the Lewis Spring Falls Trail. The descent down to the falls is steep and very rocky.
We made it to the overlook for the falls and it wasn’t much of an overlook. We had to take turns scrambling down the side of the mountain to a small dirt platform to get any real views of the falls and it was still a view looking down over the top of the falls.
We got some pictures with Taylor and took more pictures around the top of the falls.
Family selfies
We took a couple of pictures from the overlook platform looking out over the mountains.
In the book we use (A Falcons Guide: Waterfall of Virginia), it said there is another viewing platform to see the falls but unfortunately we were unable to locate it. As we were getting ready to leave, another family showed up and we began talking with them and they have been to the falls before and knew the way to the other view platform. We followed them across the creek and made it to the overlook platform. This platform offered great views of the falls from a longer distance.
After feeding Taylor and taking in the views for a little bit, we make our way back across the creek and continue along the trail.
Ascending from the falls, the hike continues along Lewis Springs Falls trail until you reach an intersection with the Appalachian Trail, make a left to continue on the Appalachian Trail, back to the parking lot. The ascent is very steep with a series of switchback along the AT. We stopped to get a first picture of Taylor with the AT blaze.
We made it back to the trailhead and I felt a sense of accomplishment, completing my first hike post-partum and one with almost 1000 feet of elevation gain at that.
For dinner we ate at our usual mountain spot – Blue Mountain Brewery. We love taking in the sunset while we enjoy our dinner.
Nic of Time - Travel 