Rock Creek Series: Part 1 of 3: The Wild Northern Section and METRO Accessible!
- January 19 · 11:00 AM
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Rock Creek Park Series: Part 1 of 3!
An Easy Side of Moderate Exploration in The Wild Northern Section: Multiple Pace Options!
METRO Accessible!
This Hike is Great for newbies and experienced hikers both as it is 9.3 miles but has several shorter distance options thanks to mass transit, yay!
This is the first part of a 3 part Rock Creek Park in Winter Series, which will take us pretty much all throughout the entire park if you complete all three hikes! All are METRO accessible too!
Todays Hike: January 19th: The Wild Northern Section of Rock Creek Park (Metro Accessible): An Easy Side of Moderate 9.3 (Shorter options) Miles!
Click Here for Part 2: January 27th: The Rocky Central Section of Rock Creek Park (Metro Accessible): A Moderate 4.5 Miles
Click Here for Part 3: February 9th: The Arboreal Southern Section of Rock Creek Park (Metro Accessible): A Moderate 8.9 (Shorter Options) Miles
The same year that Congress accorded national park status to the three big chunks of California known as Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon, it also preserved a piece of its own backyard. It decreed that Rock Creek’s valley would become “a pleasuring ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people of the United States. ”That was in 1890. Today, covering about 2,100 acres, the park consists largely of woodlands and stream valleys that protect the environment and provide habitat for assorted flora and fauna. Most visitors head for various recreation facilities. But informed hikers head for the hills and trails. The 9.2-mile hike consists of a modified loop that undulates enough to accumulate about 1,600 feet of elevation change © Copyright Paul Elliott Published by Menasha Ridge Press. All Rights Reserved.
Pace Options
We break down into groups no larger than 15 hikers per leader/sweep team for a more enjoyable experience for all of us and is better for the environment. Large groups really take away from the hiking experience. This also allows us to offer a variety of hike paces and for this particular hike you have 2 to choose from which allows us to be put together with those of a similar pace. Paces should be not only based on your preference but also your ability needs to be taken into consideration.
Pace Option 1: A "walk in the woods" or "social" pace which is great for those who want to soak up the nature 2.0mph.
Pace Option 2: A moderate pace of about 2.5-3.0 mph (Pace of an average hiker)
PLEASE put your pace preference in your RSVP so we can plan accordingly
Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Washington
Length: 9.3 total miles with shorter distance options by using Metro and Metro Bus
Scenery: Gently rolling woodlands and stream valleys
Exposure: Mostly shady; less so in winter
Trail Surface: Mostly dirt or stony dirt; some pavement; rocky, rooty in places
Elevation Gain: 1,600 feet
Trail Type: Modified Loop
Skill Level: Moderate Due to Distance - Shorter Options are Easy Side of Moderate
Duration: 5-6 hours
Season: Year-round
Local Maps: USGS Washington West; PATC Map N; ADC Metro Washington
Topo Map: Rock Creek Park: Wild Northern Section Topographic Map
facilities: toilets, water, phone at nature center (limited hours); toilets near the Riley Spring Bridge
Note Only to Hike Leaders: Use PATC Map N and the hike description from 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of D.C. 1st edition and NOT the newer 2nd edition. I have scanned the hike guide and it is available upon your request as a .PDF in case you do not have the older book. Please contact Kellie if you do not have the map as I will have one ordered and shipped to you right away because as a member of the leadership team you should have the PATC maps as one of your perks.
Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine. Click here to see an up to the minute forecast for the area where we will be hiking.
Carpool Information
There are 2 carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.
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 (Including Metro Directions)
Click here for directions to where we meet for this hike. Metro directions are included in this link!
Hike Meetup Time is at 11:00 a.m.
Annapolis carpool time is 9:45 a.m.
Carpool meetup time at Savage is 10:00 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 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!
Be sure to take the hike leaders numbers with you just in case!
Mike: [masked]
Kellie: [masked]
Justin: [masked]
Lei: [masked]
Additional MAHG Leader:
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Kellie Carlisle
Masoud, you are so right. I have a very fair complexion and some of the worst sun burns I have experienced were in winter. Now, I don't leave the house without sunscrean all year 'round.
1 · January 22
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Kellie Carlisle
Tingling, thanks for sharing all the absolutely fantastic pics as always. You are most talented! I feel as if I were there rather in bed sick...
1 · January 20
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Betsy Levin
It was a beautiful day, a beautiful hike, and Lei did a great job of leading our moderate group at a good pace, stopping to check on everyone at appropriate places. Couldn't ask for a nicer hike in mid-January.
2 · January 19
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Rick O'Donnel
Wonderful hike today. Lei set an excellent pace and was great as a leader. Managed the group, the trail and a sense of humor. Thanks much!
1 · January 19
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Barbara Talisman
Any one coming from DC between NE and NW be happy to stop along the way and pick you up at home, DuPont Metro? I got a car and hate using just for me....assuming there is parking near the Nature Center. Email me off line or here.
January 18
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Kellie Carlisle
Barbara, there is TONS of parking at the nature center. Parking is a major factor in determining RSVP limits. Even if 9 leaders offer to lead a hike and we break down into small groups of 15, if the lot can't handle it, it is no fun for anyone. If we have enough leaders for this hike, we mas it out at 150 attendees since the trails, park, and lot were built for it. We ask rangers of each park what their opinion is to prevent overwhelming trails or not being compliant with Leave No Trace outdoor ethics that we take seriously. This hike is limited by the number of leaders this time and not lack of parking. I look forward to seeing you there! Oh, I also always call to make sure that there are no special events that would call for lots to be full when we arrive and give them a heads up that we will be there as a curtosy so they are expecting us and know we need the parking spaces.
1 · January 18
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Avi Levi
Hi, if interested in carpooling with me from Rockville area, please let me know...
January 18
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Anne M
I can easily make a small detour to pick you up. I'll message you privately to get your address, give you my cell phone number and work out details.
January 18
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Lenah
I was planning on driving in from Burke and could pick you up somewhere off of 395. I plan on doing the full hike -- pace 2.
January 18
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Lenah
Anyone doing full hike and pace 2 interested in carpooling from Burke, Springfield or Alexandria?
January 18
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Kellie Carlisle
I want to point out that we do not all hike together (our group never does unless a leader has an emergency) in a large group as that would not be good times at all. We divide up into groups of 15-20 based on pace preferences etc. Just didn't want everyone thinking we would be a big mob hiking through the park...or maybe like a very long line of ants-grin. Looking forward to seeing you all there. I LOVE Rock Creek Park hikes!
2 · January 11
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Kellie Carlisle
Hope, it depends on which pace you hike, weather, and the particular group that day and many other factors so I can't really answer that question. If you take our pace options though and then the mileage you can get a ballpark idea as to when we will be done but nothing is worse than rushing through a hike... If you have further questions, pretty please contact me offline at [masked] or my number which is posted above. Everything posted here sends an e-mail to everyone else. No worries, as you had no to know that:) I look forward to meeting you soon and again, don't hesitate to contact me as it is what I am here for as the groups organizer. Happy to help any way I can whenever I can...
January 17
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Kellie Carlisle
Cyndi, we are looking forward to meeting you too! See you there and don't forget to take one or more of the several leaders numbers with you just in case you have any trouble at all finding us.
1 · January 17
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Barbara Talisman
NEVER MIND! There are all the numbers. But a ride appreciated if convenient. Thanks!
1 · January 17
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Rick O'Donnel
I plan to rendezvous at the Annapolis carpool if anybody else cares to meet there. Please post a note.
January 14
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Susan K. Demsko
I'm new at this...so I missed where I was supposed write the pace--pace 2. Is there parking available or is public transportation advised?
January 12
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Kellie Carlisle
Susan, there is plenty of parking for everyone but you are more than welcome to enjoy public transportation. Either one will work great for this hike. I look forward to seeing you there:)
January 14
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Susan K. Demsko
I'm considering bringing my dog--I thought I saw a statement that "fido is welcome" on this hike. So, public transportation would not be an option.
January 14
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Kellie Carlisle
How to Move from the Waitlist 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.January 14
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65 attended
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Justin Carlisle
Certified Hike Leader and Wilderness Medical First Responder, Co-Organizer
Event Host
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andrew brown +1
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Nicole
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Helen +1
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Kolie
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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Paul S
Checked-in -
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Sally +1
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Barbara Talisman
Checked-in -
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Amir
Checked-in -
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Lynn
Checked-in -
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Karen +1
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Avi Levi +1
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Your organizer's refund policy for Rock Creek Series: Part 1 of 3: The Wild Northern Section and METRO Accessible!
Refunds offered if:
- the Meetup is cancelled
- the Meetup is rescheduled
- you can cancel at least 2 day(s) before the Meetup
Additional notes: You get a refund if you update and change your RSVP 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.
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