Comments on: Mary’s Rock

By: liv2123

liv2123 — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:34:15 +0000

Thanks so much for responding! We will definitely be trying out this route over Memorial Day weekend! You have been a great help!

By: virginiatrailschristine

virginiatrailschristine — Mon, 14 May 2012 16:23:48 +0000

Olivia – My dad and I actually did the route you’re asking about as a father-daughter hike last year on Father’s Day. We met in the park, so we had two cars and it made sense to do a shuttle hike rather than an out-and-back. The hike from Mary’s Rock down to Panorama is pretty moderate – lots of switchbacks, not too steep, but very rocky. There won’t be any additional views between Mary’s Rock and Panorama.

And yes — the hike would be perfectly suitable for your dog. I would even feel confident taking my pug along this section of trail.

By: liv2123

liv2123 — Mon, 14 May 2012 14:57:46 +0000

Hello,

I have never hiked to Mary’s Rock before, and I am very interested in your “alternate route” posted here for our trip in a few weeks. I was wondering if you might be able to weigh in on a question I have. My thought was to park a car at Panorama and then drive to Jewell Hollow, then hike to Panorama via Mary’s Rock. Are there any advantages/disadvantages to that? My thought was that it would be a bit shorter, but I am not sure if there are any good views on the Parnorama portion of the trail or if it is better to just retrace our steps to return. Please let me know what you think. Also, would this hike be suitable for an active dog who is familiar with hiking?

Thanks for your input,
Olivia

By: virginiatrailschristine

virginiatrailschristine — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:33:58 +0000

Thanks for the visit, Martine! I would love to see the photo.

By: Martine Zimmer

Martine Zimmer — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 18:27:20 +0000

We just did this one, starting at the rest stop near Hwy 211. Absolutely wonderful hike but quite popular so you won’t be alone at the top. (There must have been about 20 people with us on 4/6/2012) Thanks for posting it or we would certainly have missed the opportunity. There is a rock up there that looks just like a bear lying down. After reading the story about the legend of this hike’s name we thought that maybe this was the mother looking for her two missing cubs . I took a picture of it if you are interested.

By: virginiatrailschristine

virginiatrailschristine — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:53:26 +0000

This is one of the best trails to hike in winter, especially since you can hike it from outside the park when Skyline Drive is closed. Just start out right alongside the side of route 211 where you see the AT crossing. This route up to Mary’s Rock is a bit steeper than our route, but it’s not a hard hike. If Skyline Drive is open, you shouldn’t have any trouble hiking via our route.

By: Renata

Renata — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:21:39 +0000

Has anyone done this trail during the winter? I will be close to Shenandoah this weekend and was wondering if it’s worth hiking there at this time of the year. Thanks.

By: virginiatrailschristine

virginiatrailschristine — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 00:21:47 +0000

I think the hike is nice both in the morning and afternoon, so it really doesn’t matter. If you hike in the afternoon, just make sure you have enough time to finish before dark (or bring a headlamp!). The trailhead for this hike is just about a tenth of a mile north of the Jewell Hollow Overlook and Pinnacles Picnic Area, so you will enter the park and follow Skyline Drive until you reach the trailhead.

By: gracierios

gracierios — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:46:18 +0000

Also, what time would you say is the ideal time to hike? Early morning? Afternoon?

By: gracierios

gracierios — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 03:45:45 +0000

I am planning on doing this hike…but I am unsure on how to get there. Would I drive to Shenandoah National Park first and then take the trail from there? This is my first time hiking in the Shenandoah. Please help!