We took Helen the ancient Pomeranian and my three similarly-ancient felines to a lovely farmhouse in Stanardsville, VA, near Shenandoah National Park. Elvira promptly claimed Helen’s bed and all the windowsills.
We only managed one trail: South River Falls. How do I know which trail? PHOTOGRAPHIC EVIDENCE. A habit I need to develop more fully.

The descent commences in woods.

Eventually, the falls are visible, faaaaaar below.

Once reached at the bottom of the trail, they are rewarding.

I’ll spare you the many videos I took of the water splashing down.


There was basking.

The downside of a hike from a ridge to a waterfall is that the downside comes first, and then you have to drag yourself back up to your vehicle.

Equipment
Backpack | Camelbak Rim Runner hydration pack |
Navigation | It’s a short out-and-back trail, you really can’t go astray. |
Shoes | Salomon Speedcross 4 GTX Trail-Running Shoes This might have been the last hike I wore these on. They’re narrow and destroyed my toes. |
Socks | Injinji Trail Midweight Mini Crew Toesocks |
Poles | Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles You definitely want these on the way back up. |