Stony Man Trail, Shenandoah National Park

Elevation: 3765 ft.

The trail to the Stony Man cliffs is an easy upward amble that leads the visitor to a magnificent view of the Shenandoah Valley and the Allegheny Mountains to the west. Stony Man is the second highest peak in Shenandoah National Park. This higher elevation introduces visitors to a different plant and animal community, which can be seen as you ascend to the peak. Next to the trail notice the change in conifers. Red spruce and balsam fir have replaced white pine and hemlock of the lower slopes, and mountain laurel rules the undergrowth. Birds to search for along the trail include common raven, red-eyed and blue-headed vireos, black-and-white and hooded warblers, scarlet tanager, eastern towhee and dark-eyed junco. Other wildlife that may appear along the hike includes white-tailed deer, which are incredibly tame but still should not be approached, and the occasional timber rattlesnake.

A map of this trail and surrounding area can be found on the provided website.