So this is the first of hopefully a large series of hikes around the DC area. I am starting off with some of the more simple, at least in difficulty, so that I can get my hiking legs back in shape.
Today I hiked just over 3 miles at the Riverbend Park in Great Falls, VA. The drive out was very short, about 25 minutes during rush hour from the Dulles, VA area. It wove through the Great Falls neighborhoods and I was stunned by the size and beauty of the residences there. And it was also nice to see several mansions in a row broken up by a much smaller older home. You can definitely see who has been there a long time.
I am using a website called hikingupward.com for my maps and information, it seems not only well put together but with lots of personal comments from fellow hikers. Here is the link for this particular hike: http://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/RiverBend/
I was surprised to find that the Visitors Center was quite modern. It was large and had a huge back patio overlooking the Potomac river. There were signs indicating that you could reserve it but no particular price list posted.
I started off heading north along the Potomac on a wide gentle path. Even though it is high summer, our weather has been quite mild so the lush Virginia green was still in evidence.
There were a few people walking along this path but not many. I did see a good number of fishermen spread out along the bank of the river. Not sure if its safe to eat the fish in the Potomac, but there are a lot of catch/release people out there who enjoy it for a sport. Growing up with my Grandmother we only fished to eat, so the concept of catching a fish and releasing it (unless it was to small or a female with eggs) seems quite foreign to me.
Walking along the bank of the river kept the path at a fairly even keel. I did cross a couple of footbridges but otherwise it was dirt path all the way. After about a quarter mile the path moved away from the river and I finally saw an incline. I chose this path as a starter for a reason, to keep the climbs simple at first. And really Riverbend seems to have fit the bill, with only a 290′ elevation gain throughout the entire track it wasn’t a problem
I came across a strange scene, 2 purple boxes on a long piece of PVC pipe. Seems they are Emerald Ash Borer traps, set up all along the eastern seaboard to combat these little pests. And there were tons of bugs stuck to them.
Going further inland I came across a pond that was almost neon green in algae. It was beautiful yet creepy at the same time. Its in a secluded grove with a little dock that you can walk out on. But standing there I felt like I was in some monster movie. The woods were eerily silent and the wind had died down. I guess I should have taken it as tranquil but my imagination got the best of me and I kept moving.
Next stop was the parks Nature Center. A very out of the way building that seemed to be abandoned but wasn’t. They had posted that it was staffed during certain hours otherwise it was available for rent. I did get to spy a couple of young dear who were playing in a meadow nearby.
For the most part the rest of the hike was uneventful. I did see a few other people on the path, most of them walking their dogs, but generally it was me, the squirrels, a few dear and lots of birds. I did run across a large patch of ferns though right off the trail.
After the trail looped back to the river it went flat again for about a half mile before getting back to the visitor center. They have a small boat ramp at the center along with the ability to rent kayaks and canoes. Might have to come back some day and take a canoe for a paddle, the water was very quite and almost glass like today.
By this time it was about 8pm and I was back at the parking lot. All in all this is a nice place for an evening stroll that is close to DC and the northern Virginia communities. With not to many people on the trail you can truly unwind and just listen to the birds…and the scurry of the squirrels. Lots of nice views of the Potomac River, a lovely yet creepy pond, a couple of streams and an easy trail. Hope you get to check it out!