Incredible Spring Day In Shenandoah National Park

Went for a couple of short hikes in Shenandoah National Park on April 2nd and was greeted with thundersnow at the top of Hawksbill Mountain.  Snow in the park is unusual in April, but not out of the question.  I stopped by Big Meadows to eat a quick lunch and scan the weather to see where I wanted to head.

Light spring snow on Big Meadows

The weather appeared interesting to the North so I headed to the Upper Hawksbill parking area for the short 1.2 mile hike to the summit.  As I got close to the summit it began snowing with a couple of inches already on the ground.  At the summit I was greeted with some of the most incredible 'winter' atmospherics.  Waves of snow showers would cross the valley, through the mountain and head east over the piedmont with the occasional rumble of thunder.  I sat up there for a couple of hours taking photos of the passing weather.

Looking towards Old Rag Mountain

Snow in the distance over the Shenandoah Valley

Thundersnow crossing the mountains

Thoroughly frozen I headed down to the car to warm up and do one more hike before the sun went down.  I headed south to one of my favorite spots, Bearfence Mountain.  The short half mile hike to the summit is steep and the last couple hundred yards is a rock scramble over some outcrops to a 360 degree view.  After the sun set I headed down to drive home.  All in all a very productive day with some of the most dynamic landscapes that I have seen in awhile.

The snow showers have headed east

Time to head home