Long Branch Trail

Let’s take an easy stroll through the woods along one of the Accotink River's tributaries, Long Branch Run. Maybe we can spot one of these little fellas..

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/d/a/8/600_363967592.jpeg

The route: From Canterbury Woods Park, we’ll walk northwest along the Long Branch Trail through Long Branch and Rutherford Parks to Olley Lane and return.

The walk is about 4.6 miles of smiles, so we should be finished in just under 2 hours, including breaks. The surface is level and fine gravel with a few sections of pavement and footbridges.

Google map: http://tinyurl.com/mv2uwjo

How to get there: From I-495, take Exit 54A (Braddock Road) west for almost a mile to the light at Wakefield Chapel Road. (It’s the first light west of the entrance to Wakefield Park.) Turn right (north) onto Wakefield Chapel Road; the park entrance is immediately on your left.

What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired. (Leashes please.)

Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy, a high of 86 degrees, and a 20% chance of rain. Updates here: http://tinyurl.com/pfv3pay

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 permitted in this group.

Administrative stuff: There are no facilities at Canterbury Woods Park, but there are restrooms and drinking fountains at nearby Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA 22003. There are also porta-johns and drinking fountains at Rutherford Park along our route. After the hike: The Swiss Bakery and Smith & Clarkson's Deli are a couple blocks east of the meetup location along Braddock Road, at Ravensworth Shopping Center.

Notes:

• Swiss Bakery and Cafe, 5224 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA, (703) 321-3670

• Smith & Clarkson's Deli, 8015 Braddock Rd, Springfield, VA, (703) 890-3354