This is a great, but challenging hike. After 0.3 miles, you are climbing 1800 ft over a mile. Your reward is a breathtaking outlook over the valley, followed by a six mile loop through a tranquil forest and peaceful meadows, with a beautiful mountaintop pond halfway through. The back half of the loop starts less auspiciously, with a long climb up a steep graded fire road. But soon, your trekking back through the woods, passing enormous ant hills to join up with the start of the loop. Take a break again at the overlooks before you start the mile long climb back down - you'll need your strength. But overall, the only thing missing from this hike that you might want is a waterfall.
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The ridge is great. The Stephens trail loop is wretched in the vertical (northern part) the small bulldozing of the trail has left it shaved but with very loose rock. Not fun to hike up or down.
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Easy hike with a moderate ascent. Awesome view East to the Shenandoah River and SNP.
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It's been a wet and warm fall so far, but the temps have dropped and the colors are popping out. The view east from Ediths Gap was outstanding, especially with a trail of thick mist following the Shenandoah River below. The views from Kennedy Peak were also outstanding. The viewing stand atop the shelter gives great views in all directions. Views to the West were great, as the yellow and red were mixed in with the green of the hardwood forest.
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This would have been a lovely, moderately difficult hike any other times, but the amount of rain we've had all summer turned the trails into streams. Of the 13 miles I registered, I'd say 10 of them were flooded with running water. While mostly shallow, probably 1-3 inches, there were some sections where I was in up to my knees in mud and muck. It was literally like walking through a creek. Fun at first but it got old.
Otherwise the trail seemed like it would normally be quite nice. You walk along the stream for the first part of it and the water is a good backdrop. Slow and steady incline, nothing too terrible. Once you get up towards Middle Mountain it gets rocky but otherwise the trail is mostly packed dirt and mud (that I could tell). Views aren't great with the foliage up. Bunch of nice looking campsites every 3-4 miles too.
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