After climbing Hawksbill in the morning, the afternoon was reserved for Stony Man Mountain – the second highest peak in the park. This was a repeat hike for us; we’d brought my parents up here over Thanksgiving weekend in 2017 (or 2018? I think it was 2017) – so we knew this would be an approachable one. The last time we’d climbed Stony Man, both kids were in backpacks and Steve was under the weather. Both feeling good, and with all family feet on the trail, we were ready to go.

Stony Man trailhead. Hello, old friend!

The Stony Man trail is one of the softest, most groomed trails in a park full of soft, groomed trails. After our summer of Adirondack hiking, it felt like the absolute lap of luxury.

Approaching the summit… that was fast!

And views – check! It was almost as grey and misty as the morning on Hawksbill, but still so beautiful. Shenandoah is my home park, and I love every inch of it, in all of its moods.

Next week: one final hike to cap off the weekend, and it’s a good one – redemption time.