My base for visiting Skyline Drive was Harrisonburg, Virginia. The first day we drove out on Highway 33 to Swift Run Gap and took Skyline Drive north. The ranger at the entrance gate said there was a forest fire in the southern section. It wasn't too serious, but they didn't have a lot of details. Later we found out it didn't affect any trails. We saw remnants of old forest fires on the southern section, but that was the next day.

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The day started out clear with great views off to either side of the ridge.

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We stopped at Big Meadows Visitor Center. The historical photos there were quite interesting. Once upon a time, the CCC's had their camp set up right in the area in this photo.

Beyond that we took a short hike down to Dark Hollow Falls. I showed one image of it in my post from the road, but the processing abilities were limited. Here is another view.

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The falls continue down below this too. Even on a weekday there were a number of visitors, but I waited for them before taking this image. It seems unusual to me to start a hike going down. Here in the White Mountains, we are always going up and then returning on the downhill path.

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A view of Old Rag mountain to the east.

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We turned off the ridge after the tunnel and dropped back down into the Shenandoah Valley on Hwy. 211.

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Next, Skyline Drive part 2.