What we’re about
We're an adults-only group that walks and hikes in VA, DC, and MD. There are no event or membership fees.
Upcoming events (1)
See all- Kenwood-Bethesda Cherry Blossoms @ Peak!Bethesda Metro station, Bethesda, MD
You can see bevies of blossoms without suffering the mayhem on the Mall or Tidal Basin. Kenwood, a Chevy Chase neighborhood near Bethesda, has 1,200 cherry trees lining its streets, many dating back to the neighborhood's development in the early 1920s. Kenwood's trees are of the Kanzan variety, which typically bloom later than the Yoshino variety most common around the Tidal Basin.
The temperature will be in the 60s with plenty of sunshine on Saturday. It should be at or near the peak of the blossoms this year. This is a pleasant hike throughout a calm suburban neighborhood with a great variety of interesting though overpriced architecture.
❶ What we’ll do:
- From the Bethesda Metro Station Plaza (GPS 38.98465, -77.09471) we'll walk south along Wisconsin Ave to Bethesda Ave, turn right, and walk a block west. At the PAUL Cafe we'll turn left onto the Capital Crescent Trail and walk southwest to Dorset Ave, where we'll turn right to enter Kenwood. After a 2-mile walk around Kenwood streets we'll retrace our steps to the Bethesda Metro Station.
- This a 5-mile modified out-and-back walk that should take about 2 hours. The surface is paved and fairly level throughout.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/yd9muurw
❷ How to get there:
- The Bethesda Metro Station is on the Red Line. See the WMATA website for connection info: https://www.wmata.com/
- Driving from the I-495 Capital Beltway Inner Loop, take exit 34 to merge onto MD-355 S/Rockville Pike toward Wisconsin Ave/Bethesda and drive 2.7 miles.
- Driving from the I-495 Capital Beltway Outer Loop, take exit 34 for Maryland 355 toward Rockville/Bethesda/Wisconsin Ave. Merge onto MD-355 N/Rockville Pike, and after driving north 0.4 miles, make a U-turn at Tuckerman Lane and follow MD-355 South for almost 3 miles.
- Parking: There are several public parking garages in the area that are free on weekends. The nearest is Waverly Garage, just east of the Metro Station at 7401 Waverly St, Bethesda, MD 20814. NB: Driving and parking in Kenwood itself is prohibited.
❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired . Dogs must be leashed at all times.
❹ Weather: The forecast is mostly sunny and a high of 63F, with light NW winds. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/uskmsse
❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
❻ Administrative Stuff: There are restrooms in commercial businesses near Bethesda Station and in Bethesda along our route. (See the Google map.) The closest one to our meetup point is Dunkin' Donuts at 7500 Old Georgetown Rd MRGR2, Bethesda, MD 20814. Hyatt Regency is also an option.
❼ Notes:
- Garage and Lot Parking on Saturdays, Sundays and County Holidays is $5 (previously free and maybe still so at some locations) in Montgomery County Garages. Public parking garages: https://www.bethesda.org/node/381