Great Falls! Gold Mine and Billy Goat 'A'! An Easy 7 or Moderate 9.6 Miles!
- March 24 · 9:00 AM
-
This location is shown only to members
Billy Goat Trail 'A' Rock Scramble and The Gold Mine Hike in Great Falls Park!
This memorable hike contains some optional rock scrambling (On the Billy Goat Portion but Not the Gold Mine Loop) so come on out and climb the boulders with us for some good times! What is rock scrambling you might ask? Anytime you have to use your hands to get over rocks or steep parts, we call it rock scrambling and there is a little of that on this short hike. No special gear is necessary for scrambling and the scramble is only a portion of the hike. The pic on the left is from the optional Billy Goat Trail 'A' portion of this hike.
Click here for pictures of a past hike with us on Billy Goat Section A
This circuit begins with an easy hike over mostly gentle terrain. We will enter the woods above the C&O Canal to explore gold mining works that date from the Civil War to near the mid-20th century. Watch for mounds of dirt, some a couple of feel high, deposited by Appalachian moundbuilding ants. Beyond the abandoned gold mines, the trail joins the bed of an old trolley line that brought visitors from DC to the falls. Check out the pic on the right for a recent pic taken from this hike of one of the old mine areas.
Then, after the Goldmine area, we will follow the towpath to Olmstead Island, which affords fine views of Great Falls as seen on the left and is the furthest point out on our large loop hike. For those who opt for the 7.2 mile version of this hike, this is where your group continues on the towpath back to where the cars are parked and the path is flat and very easy with fantastic views of the river as you can see in a the pic on the left. For those of you who wish to join us for the full 9.6 miles (includes the 5 mile Billy Goat 'A' rock scramble, it is on to the formidably rough and optional Section 'A' of the Billy Goat Trail as pictured at the top of this posting and below on the right! We are right there with you to help you over any rough patches because we focus on team work all the way!
Distance Options
The Billy Goat 'A' section (Rock scrambling) of this hike is optional. This way those who are not interested in the challenging rock scramble can enjoy an easy, flat hike of 7.2 miles. If you join us for the Billy Goat section of this hike it will be a total of 9.6 miles and the Billy Goat portion is considered more challenging because it requires scrambling over boulders but is much fun! So, you have both pace and distance options for this adventure!
Note:
Unlike most popular hiking trails, Billy Goat Trail 'Section A', which is an optional part of this hike, offers up lots of scrambles around or over boulders, plenty of rocky terrain, a short but steep scramble up a cliff face, and heaps of breathtaking views of the Potomac River. Our group only hikes the Billy Goat 'A; section of this hike in the "off season" due to overhiking. It is not unusual for there to be lines to scramble over some of the large boulders that are up to over a hour long due to bottle necking. So, please trust us that we only post it when we know it will not have waits because who wants to have to wait in line for a hike? This means going in the off season or off hours. My favorite time of the year for hiking here is in the winter when the views are unparalleled and the trails uncrowded!
Trail Information
Nearby City: Potomac, MD
Scenery: Mathers Gorge and Great Falls from the Maryland Side
Distance: Choice of an easy and newbie friendly 7.2 or a more challenging 9.6 miles round trip if you choose to rock scramble Billy Goat 'A' with us!
Elevation Gain: approx. 450ft (6.6 mi) or 400ft (5.2 mi)
Hike Time: 3-5 hours
Difficulty: Easy with optional Easy Side of Strenuous due to optional rock scramble
Hike Type: Loop
Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine! Click here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking if you want to keep an eye on the forecast for the trail.
Carpool Information
There are 2 carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool from the Baltimore area, please meetup at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station.
Annapolis Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Annapolis area, meetup at the Harbour Center Mall Starbucks. Click here for Annapolis carpool directions for getting to the carpool location. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.
If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!
Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions for Where we Meet for this Hike.
Hike Meetup Time is 9:00 a.m.
Savage Station Carpool meetup time is 8:15 a.m.
Annapolis Carpool meetup time is 8:00 a.m.
Gear Information
Click here for suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes.
Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie and practice good hike etiquette. We take breaks as necessary and have at least one guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back which means that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then please find another group! We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting or staying fit on the trail and practicing Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.
Fido is welcome on this hike if not joining us for Billy Goat (The Optional Billy Goat Portion of This Hike Does Not Allow Dogs)!
Let's have good times and see you on the trail and don't forget to take the hike leader(s) number with you just in case!
Robert: [masked]
Glenn: [masked]
-
-
Kellie Carlisle
Just looked the bird up. Pretty cool looking bird and I had no idea that there was a bird by the name of a "grebe". Thanks for sharing the info Cavan!
March 27
-
-
-
-
Catherine lambert
Great conversations, fun people, more blue herons than I've ever seen there, loved the rock scramble, thank you Robert for leading the way.
1 · March 25
-
Betsy Levin
Robert led a great hike and Emily and Sonya were our conscientious sweepers. Thanks, Robert, for a lovely hike -- sorry I had to skip the Billy Goat 'A' scramble, but I'm sure it was fun for those who continued on that part of the hike.
1 · March 24
-
-
-
George Linzer
I'm confused by the email I got this morning. It says for this hike "34 Yes • 23 Waiting", and "6 spots left!" Huh??
March 23
-
-
George Linzer
Thanks, Glen. So when a spot opens up, how does one "manually move" onto the attending list? It's not an automatic first in line moves up?
March 23
-
-
-
-
-
leslie
I'll be driving from NE DC if anyone wants a ride - or I am glad to tag along in your car.
March 23
-
Doug
This sounds like a great time - is anyone able to carpool from a Metro station in DC? I can help with expenses - thanks
March 23
-
-
Kellie Carlisle
How to Move from the Wait list to a “Yes” - If you are on the wait list, you will get an e-mail as slots become available. It is a “first come first serve” system for available slots. Slots are open to everyone, whether on the wait list or not. However, being on the wait list will make certain that you are notified when open slots become available as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the trails (and parking) can accommodate it and still comply with our Leave No Trace pledge. Click the following link for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlantichiking.co...
Please don't hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.March 22
-
Barb
Dottie, under "trail information", a nearby town should be listed. Potomac, MD is the one listed for Billy Goat.
March 17
-
-
Kellie Carlisle
Barb, thanks, I had not realized that at least it is in a constant location which makes it easy, once someone is familiar with our template, to know where to go to quickly find such information. I appreciate you addressing the concern and again, welcome to our leadership team!
March 22
-
-
Dottie Smith
i have difficulty deciding some of these hikes. When they are listed, it would be easier if a town popped up in the description so I could gsp and get a quicker handle on travel time. Any help would be beneficial. Thanks
March 17
-
-
Kellie Carlisle
Dottie, you and me both. I don't even always know the nearest town for all the hikes:) The software is very limiting in how many characters can be entered into the heading. I was a technical writer at Bell Labs for many years, hence love the idea of standards and consistency in addition to thoroughness. As a result, I would love to have all hikes consistent names along with difficulty, distance, date, and location if the software would allow. Thanks for the fantastic idea though and I couldn't' agree more-grin. Actually, your suggestion did causer me to re-visit this issue and it couldn't hurt for me to contact Meetup about changing the software. I will contact them and they listen to member input as well so please feel free to send the software change request too because the more people who make the request the greater the chance of them taking note of how much we change would help us and I can only assume, most other Meetups.
March 22
-
-
-
-
Chi
Down and out with the flu! unbelievable ...so I'm reversing RSVP and happy for whomever gets the spot! Happy Hiking, Mid-Atlantic-ers!
March 21
-
-
Catherine lambert
OK, so I got the email saying there's a spot open for the hike and to post that I'm going. I hope this is all I need to do!
March 21
-
Jim Casserly
I'll be coming from N.E. Baltimore if anyone need a ride. I'll be doing the 7.2 mi.
March 18
-
-
-
-
-
lisa
Hi, I want to reserve my place, as there are 5 spots left. I don't have an Amazon account though, and did not really want to get one. Can we pay in person?
March 12
-
-
Nicole
If anyone is thinking of carpooling from the Fairfax area, please let me know, I'd love to join! :)
March 12
36 attended
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Nicole
..
-
Bridgette +1
-
helen +1
-
-
-
-
-
-
Michael Schindler
Checked-in -
John
Checked-in -
-
-
-
Dell
Checked-in -
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Melody (MC)
Checked-in -
Sidney
.
Your organizer's refund policy for Great Falls! Gold Mine and Billy Goat 'A'! An Easy 7 or Moderate 9.6 Miles!
Refunds offered if:
- the Meetup is cancelled
- the Meetup is rescheduled
- you can cancel at least 2 day(s) before the Meetup
Additional notes: Refund ONLY if your RSVP is changed to a "NO" PRIOR to 48 hours of hike time.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
Paddle Trip! New Point Comfort!
Beaches, Salt Marsh, Abundant Wildlife, and an Historic Stone Lighthouse
-
$18 off Wilderness First Aid Classes
from The Center for Wilderness Safety
-
$5 off new 1-yr reg. membership, includes free Backpacker subscription
from American Hiking Society
-
$50 off Basic or One Day Try It Adult Sailing programs
from Chesapeake Sailing School
People in thisMeetup are also in:
-
-
-
-
-
ZenAdventures: Hiking, Yoga,Tai Chi, Meditation & Adventures
1,275 ZenAdventurers
Next Meetup:
Tuesday, May 21 -
Join or login to comment.