St Marys Waterfall, Vesuvius, VA

by Jeff Hammond
(Roanoke, VA)

St. Marys Waterfall

The trailhead for this waterfall begins at the St Marys Wilderness Area, and the hike is about 2 miles one way to the waterfall. The elevation gain is minimal but the trail is very rocky, washed out in a few places, and requires numerous fordings when the stream is high. There are many false trails along the way making it somewhat difficult to know if you are on the right one at times. You will always be heading upstream though and within earshot of the water so it would be hard to get very lost. The waterfall is small but pretty, only see it in spring with good flow or otherwise after a good rainy period. Poison Ivy lines the beginning of the trail in warm months, but there are numerous Pink Lady Slippers along the trail in mid-May.

(Another great submission. Thanks, Jeff!)