A friend and I recently hiked Stony Man Mountain on Skyline Drive (milepost 39.1), an easy 2.9 mile out-and-back trail with an elevation change of 750 feet. About half a mile up you'll run into Little Stony Man Cliffs where you get a spectacular view of the valley and can witness the cliff face for which the mountain was named. It's the second highest peak in Shenandoah National Park, by the way.

Unfortunately, just after reaching the summit, the sun sank behind a giant rain cloud. I was able to snap this shot of a family who'd made it to the top before the weather betrayed us, leaving us to eat our trail mix and peaches with the impending gloom. We flipped almonds and caught them in our mouths until I deemed him the King of The Mountaintop Almond Toss (a useful conversation starter and essential party skill).

We called the sunset quits just as it began to sprinkle and made it back to the car in time for the deluge, the sky flashing as we booked it out of the park along the Drive.

Easy accessibility and a 45-minute proximity makes these cascades the perfect weekend waterfall getaway. If you’ve got the resources, stay overnight at The Omni Homestead Resort and triple your aquatic adventure by taking a dip in their legendary Jefferson Pools (Virginia’s cream of the crop hot springs). They've drawn visitors from across the country for centuries, including Thomas Jefferson who sojourned to the pools in 1818 for three weeks of relaxation at the spa.

Falling Spring Falls is a drenching 80’ of “I don’t think we’re in Virginia anymore” located right on Route 220, five miles north of Covington. There’s a generous parking lot and a fenced-off viewing area along the highway, but to truly experience this natural beauty you have to scramble down the rocks to the base of the falls. You’ll be kicking yourself if you don’t. I promise.

You’ll find the beginnings of a well-worn trail where a taller portion of the parking lot fence meets a lower portion (go ahead and hop it, you rebel). Not only does this trail lead you to the top of the falls with hot springs large enough for swimming and a rope swing beckoning your call, but it’ll guide you down to the rock scramble and on into Ferngully. Tune into Batty's Rap or Hexxus' Toxic Love performance while marveling the tumbling tributary and you're golden.

An exotic dream, the payoff for this waterfall is huge for a relatively small amount of effort. The hardest part for most will be ignoring the no trespassing sign.

Roaring Run Falls is located in Eagle Rock, an easy half-mile hike from the parking area off Route 621. This trail is particularly fun because it follows the stream, crossing five scenic bridges before reaching the headlining waterfall. There are several smaller falls and a natural water slide along the way. Be forewarned that the water is mountain cold, at least in the spring, but it's worth freezing your feet for a few minutes. And the trail is dog friendly! Just be mindful of the seven Leave No Trace principles; keep it beautiful for the next traveler.

Finally, swing by the Roaring Run Furnace before packing back into your car.

Roadside Attraction: While in Covington, stop by the Humpback Bridge off Highway 60. It's one of the few remaining covered bridges in the US that was built higher in the middle than on either end, hence the name "humpback." It was built in 1857 and abandoned in 1929 until five acres surrounding the bridge were purchased in 1954, allowing public access. The inside is covered with graffiti, and it's hauntingly beautiful.

In two days I hiked two overlooks in Shenandoah National Park that are *crucial* pinnacles for outdoor enthusiasts in Virginia: Humpback Rock and Blackrock Summit. Like "You know nothing, Jon Snow" crucial.

I arrived at the Humpback Rock parking area at milepost 5.8 on the Blue Ridge Parkway about three hours before sunset, ready to get my sweat on. This was my fourth ascent to the greenstone outcropping, so I was familiar with the one-mile trek with a 1,240 ft elevation gain and how it never fails to get my blood pumping. This time, however, I'd be hiking alone with my 25+ pounds of camera gear and there were posted warnings of bear activity in the area. "DO NOT approach them! Attacks on humans have occurred inflicting serious injury and death."

Challenge accepted.

The trail wasted no time ascending, and just as I was reaching that point of no return I realized I had forgotten my headlamp in the car. There was that typical weighing of options moment where I glanced longingly back at the trail and affectionately notified myself, If you get attacked by a bear in the dark you're going to have to assault him with your tripod and seal the deal with an elbow drop. Can you handle that? I recalled my brief childhood obsession with the pro-wrestling soap opera and pictured myself swinging ridiculously at an invisible furry attacker with my Manfrotto. I spent a good portion of the rest of my trek thinking of an appropriate battle cry and accompanying alias.

It took me about 45 minutes to reach the top where I snapped my way through sunset, amazed and humbled as always. The payoff is huge! You can even watch the cars snaking their way along the Blue Ridge Parkway below. I often recommend this hike to my Richmond friends as it's only an hour drive away.

When the sun dipped below the horizon, I packed my gear and began jogging back down the trail. Without a headlamp I knew it was best to move with haste before the onset of last light. After twenty minutes sans bear sighting and "I Quit" match, I was back in the parking lot with burning knees and an enormous sense of satisfaction. I've got more time to perfect my battle cry.

Note: If you're not used to hiking, this trail will challenge you, but the view will more than make up for it.

The next morning I was on Blackrock Summit for a spectacular 360 degree sunrise. The parking area is at milepost 84.8 on Skyline Drive, and the hike is a 1-mile circuit with an elevation gain of only 175 feet. It's a walk in the park compared to Humpback Rock, and the payoff is, once again, spectacular.

The rock scramble summit also makes for a great work out, but prepare for wolf spiders. Lots and lots of wolf spiders. I couldn't count how many I saw that morning! Good news for the spider-squeamish, these lupine arachnids are absolutely terrified of people so don't let them deter your triumph. Just #KeepExploring