Accotink Creek and Brookfield Park
Details
Let’s take an easy hike along Accotink Creek, south from Lake Accotink along the Fairfax Cross County Trail, with a detour to explore Brookfield Park.
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The route: Starting from the railroad trestle at the foot of Lake Accotink Dam, we'll walk south along Fairfax Cross County Trail to Byron Avenue Park and return. On our way back, we'll sneak into Brookfield Park to check out the newly restored pond. Most of the surface is wide paved paths through woods and open areas, and almost completely flat. The exception is the trail in Brookfield Park, which is narrow, hilly, and dirt surfaced with a couple of very shallow stream crossings and log scrambles.
This is a modified out-and-back hike with a total distance of not quite 5 miles of smiles. We should finish in about 2 hours at a moderate pace.
Google map: http://tinyurl.com/pnv3c3t
How to get there: From I-95, take Old Keene Mill Road west. (If you are coming from Franconia, note that Franconia Road becomes Old Keene Mill Road in Springfield.) Turn right on Hanover Avenue and drive north about a mile. Turn left onto Highland Street and drive west about a quarter of a mile to a slight right turn onto Accotink Park Road. Follow Accotink Park Road and watch for the entrance to the park on the left; then follow the road through the woods to the parking lot by the railroad trestle at the foot of the dam.
Sorry, this is not a Metro-accessible hike.
Weather: The forecast is partly sunny, a high of 79 degrees, and a 4% chance of showers. Updates: http://tinyurl.com/367lwm
What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes, please). Sunscreen and insect repellent might be handy.
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.
Administrative stuff: There are restrooms at Lake Accotink and Byron Avenue Park. (The latter are the portable variety.)