We started in January and finished up before Christmas. Not walking near the two big end-of-year holidays because too many other things going on. Some Tuesdays there was no hike, and I have no idea why. Other days which were cancelled by rain are so noted. I have no photos for any of these, except the September days in the UK - there are blog posts from October and November for those.
January 3d - from Fletcher's to Georgetown and back, on the C&O Canal towpath
January 17 - on the Cabin John trail (Locust Grove Nature Center, northward. NOT ME
January 24 -Manassas Battlefield - that's first Manassas; just a large loop not even as far as the Stone Bridge.
February 14 - Cabin John, from Locust Grove to Goya Road ??
February 21 - Great Falls, VA - the River Bend trail, I think
February 28 - The AT from PenMar to Raven Rock Road (I think)
March 13 - Seneca Ridge/Greenway (start - Riffleford Road
March 20 - Rosaryville State Park (Md)
March 27 - was going to be Hemlock Overlook Park in VA, but ended up Greenbelt, MD - NOT ME
April 3 - Hemlock Overlook and Rull Run - Occoquan Trail in VA
April 10 - Billy Goat Trail A and Great Falls in MD - NOT ME (GMC training)
April 17 - the AT: Greenbrier St. Park to Washington Monument ??
April 24 - Great Falls, Virginia - which trails? which direction?
May 1 - Bull Run - Occoquan Trail
May 5 - May 12 - stayed in Massanutten and hiked AT north-south in 5 segments using 2 car-shuttle
May 22 - Cedarville State Park, MD
May 29 - Bull Run Mountain Conservancy ??
June 12 - back to Bull Run - Occoquan Trail??
June 19 - Cabin John Stream valley park - Southern section, Riv. Rd - MacA Blvd + Canal
June 26 - Weverton cliffs near Harper's Ferry. NOT ME - IN PARIS!
July 6 - Great Falls, Virginia - river gorge and inland forested trails.
July 17 - no hike - too hot!
July 24 - Great Falls, MD - river trail & towpath
July 31 - Scott's Run Preserve (off G'town Pike in VA)
August 7 - Greenbelt, MD. NOT ME - driving home from Iowa Reunion
August 14 - Potomac Heritage Trail. NOT ME - driving to Plymouth, MA.
August 20 - walking with Tina & her crew in "Olde Towne Gaithersburg"
August 21 - Riverbend Park upstream (VA)
August 28 - Sugarloaf Mountain, MD
Sept. 4 - Seneca Ridge Trail from Black Rock Mill to BRRd.
Sept. 6 - Afternoon hike in Scotland
Sept. 7-14 - Hiking St. Cuthbert's Way in Scotland and England (67 miles)
Sept. 16-19 - Hiking around Aberdour, Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh City, Scotland
Sept. 25 - Cabin John Trail from Ice Rink on Westlake Drive (MD)
October 2 - no walking - too much rain
October 9 - Potomac Overlook Park in Arlington, VA
October 16 - Great Falls, MD overlooks and trails
October 23 - Loudoun Heights - - NOT ME!
October 30 - no hike (storm Sandy?)
November 6 - no hike
November 13 - Civil War Defenses of Washington - cancelled = rain
November 20 - Cedarville State Forest, MD
November 27 - Civil War Defenses of Washington: Ft. Reno to Ft. Totten (testing the guidebook)*
December 1 - Frostbite Hike, 4 viewpoints at Great Falls, MD
December 11 - the Zoo in Washington,DC
December 18 - at Carderock, BGT C & towpath
*Here's the text of Pat White's comments re the CWDW guidebook:
Gentlemen,
Friends and I hiked this yesterday, despite the rain.
My understanding was that this hike was easily done using Metro. We met at Tenleytown Metro and departed from Ft. Totten Metro.
Directions to and from the metro stations need to be included. From Tenleytown Metro to Ft. Reno the trail appears to follow 40th St. But it is very easy to get turned around and go the wrong way.
The map trail for Fort Totten to Fort Totten Metro has one returning to Riggs Road, but there is a shorter way– retrace route on Ft. Totten Dr. NE to Gallatin St. NE, turn right at Mamie Lee School, follow paved path across field to Pine Street, Metro Station is visible on the right.
The map trail for Fort Totten to Fort Totten Metro has one returning to Riggs Road, but there is a shorter way– retrace route on Ft. Totten Dr. NE to Gallatin St. NE, turn right at Mamie Lee School, follow paved path across field to Pine Street, Metro Station is visible on the right.
The map key is too small, perhaps it could be on a separate page. Breaking the map into two pages, with facing page containing directions would be helpful; or just map and directions on facing pages. Would it be possible to have a larger fold-out map?
We did not find any Park Service signage for Fort Reno, although we could see the reservoir tower. Since it was cold and raining, we didn’t linger or investigate the site. The map of the site on the page entitled “Exporing the Site:” would benefit from an arrow and dotted line showing the hike continuation.
The directions page would benefit from the addition of distances. In combination with the map it’s ok, but some people are more direction literate than map literate. Where possible, suggestions to side of street would be helpful. For DeRussy is on the left, but there is no sidewalk on the left at “Little Forest”. Could mention the green blazes for the trail at the entrance to Rock Creek and Ft. DeRussy.
We skipped the Valley and Whittier Trails to avoid slippery slopes especially those with wet leaves (the trail from Fort DeRussy was slippery). There is no explanation for this excursion on natural trails and one is needed. I know the park service restrooms are on this section, but the map key is too small to read. (Note: we had the PATC Rock Creek Park map with us.)
Fort Stevens page: add the year of the battle.
Directions page. There appears to be an error between Fort Slocum and Fort Totten. We crossed N. Capitol St on Madison Ave. before encountering Blair Rd. Therefore Blair Rd should be Blair Rd. NE not Blair Rd. NW.
A note on where to find refreshments and restrooms at the beginning would help with planning. Picnic tables available at . . . . Commercial establishments at Tenleytown Metro and Georgia Ave.
Bottom line, this was an interesting hike despite the weather. We want to return and take pictures. Next time we’ll probably meet at Fort Totten Metro and plan on getting lunch on Georgia Avenue.
