People say Shenandoah is too easy, because I think they don't really know it. Of course you could take a easy stroll for a few miles. However, If you plan a 10-mile route of a day hike, easily it could gain 2500-3500 feet elevation. Instead of only climbing one high mountain starting from the very beginning when you are energized, you have to go up and down a few times, and most of times, the last 3 miles are alway uphills when you are already exhausted.
When we first moved here, we had same feelings as we saw them as foothills. We used to climb Mt. Rainier to Camp Muir every year, which is 5 miles for 5000 feet gain to the elevation over 10,000 feet. However, it is very different here. Not only a lot of ups and downs and difficult gravel roads, but the weather could kill you. During the summer here is very humid and hot. It might not make us feel altitude sickness, but definitely could cause heat stroke.
