It's hard to imagine, but the Shenandoah Valley was once the floor of a great inland sea. Centuries ago, as that sea receded, the forces of nature carefully etched out an awe-inspiring formation of solid rock. The seven Natural Chimneys tower as much as 120 feet above the pastoral terrain of the Shenandoah Valley, offering onlookers a sight unrivaled in majesty.
Viewed from one angle, the formations resemble enormous chimneys standing in bleak contrast to the greenery of the Valley. Take a few steps, though, and the chimneys are transformed into the massive turrets of a foreboding medieval castle.
Natural Chimneys Park in Mt. Solon, Virginia offers more than simply the splendor of towering limestone formations. Both day visitors and those who choose to stay overnight in the seasonal campground find plenty of space and opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and fellowship.
This cache series is a project cmanymoos and MK17Fan chose to do because "The Chimneys" is very special to us. We both grew up in this area and spend a great deal of time at this location camping, swimming, hiking etc. We hope you enjoy "The Chimneys" as much as we do.
This cache has been placed on a trail that runs parallel to The North River. The North River originates in western Augusta County and continues until it is joined by The Middle River and then The South River to form the South Fork of The Shenandoah River.
In the late winter and early spring, the river is stocked with trout by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Fishing licenses and trout stamps are required to fish these waters. At times, the river will have no above ground flow.
This is a micro so you will need to provide your own writing device. Please hide the cache back as well or better than you found it. We also would appreciate an online log that shows a little thought. A good log adds to everyone's caching experience. Thank you!