Old Man in the Mountain

Stony Man, the old man in the mountain, is an icon of Shenandoah National Park, where with a little imagination the profile of a man’s face can be seen in the mountain. Stony Man gave its name to a summit, an overlook, a hike, a camp resort, a community in the Shenandoah Valley, and a country road. It has long been a favorite of visitors, both in the early 20th century before the park and for more than 100 years since, with views toward its face and from its rocky brow. Its façade is greenstone, a metamorphosed ancient volcanic rock, and though rock may seem unchanging, weathering, erosion, earthquakes, or landslides can alter its shape suddenly. George Freeman Pollock, creator of the pre-Park Stony Man Camp, later Skyland Resort, led hikes and horseback rides to Stony Man’s summit for more than 35 years.

Virginia · United States