Happy 100th Anniversary to the National Parks
The US National Park system may be the best thing our government has ever done. Preserving some of our best American landscapes has been going on for a hundred years. In spite of some parks being overcrowded with visitors, having an overworked National Park Service staff, and many other challenges, the beautiful landscapes remain relatively unchanged since they have become parks.
Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is not as grand as parks like Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, but still matches them in beauty. Those Virginia mountains are lush and full of history. One of the trails we hiked was originally a road that Stonewall Jackson, a famous confederate general, used to march his troops into battle during the American Civil War. It was an incredible feeling to be on a trail that was over 200 years old and full of history.
The main reason I love Shenandoah National Park is that it makes you work for its beauty. In many of the big western parks, the best views and features are only a short distance from a parking lot. Times with the best light will find crowds of photographers lining up to shoot the same photograph. Not in Shenandoah. While there are overlooks on the Skyline Drive that yield some great views, the true beauty of this National Park only reveals itself to those who are willing to hike to the tops of its mountains or down into its deep valleys and hollows.
Being able to venture into the back country allows a photographer to uniquely experience and understand nature. Plus, it gives you access to the places fewer people go, with even fewer photographing them. When I photographed a stunning sunrise from the top of Hawksbill Mountain, it was a special experience that was mine alone because I was the only person on top of that 4050 foot high mountain.
Shenandoah Mountain Views
Dawn in Shenandoah National Park by Richard Lewis 2016
An Evening View by Richard Lewis 2016
Wild Flowers on a Summit by Richard Lewis 2016
Breaking Dawn in Shenandoah National Park by Richard Lewis 2016
Big Meadows
This is one of those beautiful areas of Shenandoah National Park where a short walk will yield a lot. However, a longer walk yields even more. Big Meadows is exactly what it says it is, a large open meadow on the top of a mountain. It is an unusual break in the forest landscape where deer, bears and other critters come to dine and play.
Big Meadows On A Windy Morning by Richard Lewis 2016
Quiet Dawn and Grazing Deer in Big Meadows by Richard Lewis 2016
Big Meadows Morning by Richard Lewis 2016
Shenandoah Valleys and Waterfalls
One literally cool thing about Shenandoah National Park are the valleys and hollows with waterfalls of all kinds. It’s a great place to go to get out of the summer heat. One big trade off in hiking down into a valley is that you have to hike back up again.
Dark Hollow Falls Shenandoah National Park by Richard Lewis
Near Dark Hollow Falls by Richard Lewis 2016
Doyles River Shenandoah National Park by Richard Lewis
Doyles River Falls by Richard Lewis 2016
Shenandoah Light
The beautiful light in Shenandoah National Park may not be the result of it’s landscape, but it does provides some stunning scenery to experience that light.
Daybreak in the Shenandoah Valley by Richard Lewis 2016
Pastel Sunrise in Shenandoah National Park by Richard Lewis 2016
Shenandoah Sunset by Richard Lewis 2016
Soft Evening Palette by Richard Lewis 2016
Morning Light on Old Rag Mountain by Richard Lewis 2016
The beauty and diversity of our American landscape never ceases to amaze me. It is good to know that our National Park Service is still going strong preserving and providing access to some of the most amazing places. Happy 100th NPS!
Enjoy
Click here to see more landscape photographs from National Parks and other places.
Very nice shots Rich. This was my first ever national park. We went camping there a lot as a family and I even went back with my friends as teenagers, and did a kind of backpacking (though nobody would ever call it that, haha).
Thanks Michael. I appreciate the comment. My first trip there was in the 1980’s It’s where I learned what those lines are on a topographical map, the hard way.
A beautiful area Rich. You have captured it well.
Thanks Craig. I really appreciate the comment.
Fabulous images. It’s a stunning landscape and you’ve captured it beautifully. I drove the Skyline Drive back in 1995 and we’d hoped to get out and explore the Shenandoah on our recent road trip but sadly we had thunderstorms on that day so it was not to be. Given we don’t live far away, I’m sure we will return.
Thanks for the compliment Laura. I’m just starting to catch up on your blog posts about your trip. It looks like you had some good times with the family. Too bad that you missed Shenandoah this time. We were there in the 1980’s and finally made it back this year. I’m hoping we get back there again soon.
once again Rich, thank you! glorious photography.
I’m amazed really to see the sights that many of my distant ancestors trekked through and saw so long ago. Your hard efforts and wonderful shots created a Very enjoyable trip for me!!! 🙂 cheers, Debi
Thank you very much Debi. I’m very happy to be able to help you look into your past. If you get back here I hope you get to Shenandoah with your paints. I think you would love the light there.
it would be so awesome Rich! 🙂
Nice job Rich. Beautiful photos. I need to take a road trip.
Thanks Dante. That means a lot coming from you. I hope you get to Shenandoah soon. You would do some great work there.
Dear rich. Your images are fabulous ! You captured the area as I have never seen before Congratulations! When I worked for Nancy Rotenburg and we worked for RMSP that area was one of the first workshops we did. I loved seeing it thru ” your eyes “. Thank you Sincerely. Linda
Thanks Linda. I really appreciate your compliment. It means a lot. Shenandoah was an amazing experience for me. It took about a day and then I really bonded with the place. It’s a no brainer that we will be going back on a regular basis.
Beautiful images, Rich. You must have spent many days at Shenandoah to find these locations and wait for the right lighting. Well done and the results are well worth the effort.
Thanks so much Ken. We spent a week there and it wasn’t enough time really. I did do a lot of planning but we were also fortunate to have some great light while we were there.
Wow! What a stunning collection of images. I agree that the ‘National Park System” is one of the best things that our government has accomplished.
Thanks for your kind words. It means a lot coming from you. The park system is really a great thing. I’m learning how great it is the more we get to visit the National Parks.
Your photography is literally impressionism come to life, Rich! Many adjectives may be applied but amazing and awesome come to mind. Thank you for your patience, waiting for each scene’s perfect “shot.”
I have not been to any part of these Shenandoah Valley (unless at a roadside stop or overlook). My family “traveled through” to Florida many times; as well as once to Roanoke, a sister in law’s house. Beautiful state!
Thanks for your really wonderful compliment Robin, I really appreciate it and am glad you enjoyed my view of Shenandoah. It’s a really beautiful place and worth more than a quick stop if you decide to go.
Stunning images and wonderful collection. The skies are just amazing! My favorite is Dark Hollow Falls … This capture explains the name so well and I love the contrast.
Thanks Denise, this was great trip where we had some really awesome light. I could not have asked for better conditions. Dark Hollow Falls is one of my favorites too. It was rainy and foggy that morning which was the perfect weather to photograph down in a dark hollow.