Shenandoah National Park: Pocosin-South River Falls Circuit

In August we went car camping in the Shenandoah National Park of Virginia. We spent 2 nights tent camping at the Lewis Campground. We went on a day hike, following the Pocosin-South River Falls Circuit described by Mr. Hyker at MidAtalanticHikes.com . This was a moderate 10.3 mile hike, with only one steep part climbing out of the South River. Even this part of the hike wasn't too difficult, as shown by the numerous people we passed along the trail with nothing on but sandals and some even wearing jeans. It was a very hot and humid day, yet most of these "Sunday Hikers" coming from the South River Picnic area down to view the falls did not even have a bottle of water with them. The last 3 miles of the hike was on the Appalachian Trail. We were very surprised at how well maintained and easy the AT is through the park.

The hike was uneventful, except for me almost stepping on a Copperhead Snake (see picture). It happened as we arrived at the pool below the South River falls. I was in the process of lowering my foot when luckily it moved. If I hadn't seen the movement, I would've surely stepped on it.