Monday, June 10, 2013

Elkswallow Gap/Byrd's Nest Number 3 OUTENBACK

Elkwallow Gap to Byrd's Nest Shelter #3 is my favorite overnighter in the DC area, and a great first trip for anybody. You can park in one of several locations south or north of the shelter to begin your trip. However, if you elect to hike Northbound to the shelter, you'll pass what I consider to be the best view in the entire park on top of the aptly named Pinnacles Overlook. Directly west is a beautiful, pastoral valley and in the distance, faint blue ridgelines. If you look north, you'll see the sharp, lush ridges that make up the Appalachian mountain chain. Fair warning; It's often cloudy or rainy here in the summer. You might get wet, but watching clouds rolling off the hills into the valley will more than make up for it.

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