The White Oak Canyon hiking crew rolled out from our rally point early Sunday morning with 16 sleepy scouts and 7 fully-caffeinated scouters. We arrived at the trailhead in Shenandoah National Park two hours later where we were greeted by two Smiling Salts. With beautiful blue sky, a few leaves just beginning to change color, and nice cool temperatures we bounded cheerfully up the path with Ian, Jack, and Braden at the lead, keeping everyone mostly together.
Everyone strolled along the trail, happily chatting with their buddies, for a little over a mile until we reached the lower end of the falls. That’s when things turned quiet, as everyone suddenly remembered what it means when Mr. Salt says the hike is ‘a little lumpy.’ Giggles turned to gasps as we started up a series of switchbacks that we befriended for the next three hours, and a few nervous glances were shared between the adult scouters that quietly snuck past the trail marker that read ‘1/2 way’. “It levels out just up there, boys!!” And it did level out onto a spectacular outcropping overlooking the Robinson River and Whiteoak Canyon, and just beyond that we arrived at the river crossing.
The river was actually quite dry so the falls weren’t as lively as they have been on previous hikes, but the calm water made the river crossing a perfect place to stop for lunch with countless places to sit and eat and some small pools to dip aching feet. A couple scoutmasters even demonstrated some very disturbing yoga maneuvers to soak their nimble knees in the cool water.
Happy to leave the treacherous switchbacks and uphill climb behind us, we repeated our count-off to make sure we still had everyone and Teddy polled the group to see if there was anyone who wasn’t ready. “Hike on!” And we hiked on. Uphill. For another 2 ¼ miles.
With all credibility shot, we finally reached the top! Mr. Salt wisely warned everyone how slippery the leaves and acorns would be and to hike carefully down the hill. Then the crying began – audible sobbing and whimpering for the next 1.5 miles as 14 adult knees snapped, crackled, and popped their way down the rocky path until we arrived at the waterpark! ‘The Slide’ is a huge, sloping rock that has been worn completely smooth by the water passing over it and it dumps into a perfect swimming hole. Many of the boys (and some other families, dogs, and scoutmasters) jumped at the chance to try the natural waterslide. Another mile or so down the hill and we arrived back at the trailhead mostly unscathed other than a few cramps and a beesting.
All grumbling aside, the hike was 8.5 miles (and 2200 feet of elevation gain) among some of nature’s most beautiful scenery and another reminder of why we all love Shenandoah National Park so much. The boys all did a great job, from some of our youngest scouts to some of our oldest, and all are looking forward to the next one!
Many thanks to all the scouts who made the hike:
Braden, Brandon, Jordan, Ian, Jack, Andre, Charlie, Luke, Mateo, Connor, George, Owen, Felix, Matthew, Noah, James, and Teddy.
And all the adults who helped get them there and back:
Shelly, Jason, Mike, Matt, Chuck, Patricia, and Denice.
Checkout some great moments captured here.