Potomac Overlook Regional Park
Details
Let's break things up a bit with a noon hike at Potomac Overlook Regional Park!
http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/9/7/b/600_447411579.jpeg
The route: From the parking lot, we’ll hike through Potomac Overlook Regional Park along White Oak Way and Donaldson Run to the Potomac Heritage Trail, on the bank of the Potomac River. From there we'll head upstream to the mouth of Gulf Branch and turn left to follow Gulf Branch Trail out of the Potomac River basin to Gulf Branch Nature Center, where we'll take short break. After the break we'll continue through Glebe Road Park and several back streets to N Glebe Rd, where turn southeast and cut through the Marymount University campus to a bike trail along Donaldson Run, which we'll follow back to our starting point in Potomac Overlook Regional Park.
The total walk is a loop of just over 5 miles of smiles and should take about 2 hours at a moderate pace, given stops and broken ground. The surface is a mix of pavement, gravel and dirt, very rocky in places, with some elevation changes.
Google map: http://tinyurl.com/hucpctg
NB: There are steep climbs/rock scrambles at the mouths of Donaldson Run and Gulf Branch.
How to get there: The park entrance is between Chain Bridge Road (VA-120) and Spout Run Parkway (VA-124) at the intersection of N. Marcey and Military Roads, 2633 Military Road, Arlington, VA. At the intersection, turn northeast onto N Marcey Road and follow it to the parking lot at 2872 N Marcey Rd. (It's just past the Donaldson Run Recreation Assn parking lot -- DO NOT park in their lot.) More here: http://tinyurl.com/qeh2bm6
What to bring: Water, comfy shoes or boots, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). Don't forget the layered look! It may be a little muddy here and there, so a change of shoes and socks for after the hike is a good idea.
Weather: The forecast is cloudy with a high temperature of 51F with light variable winds. Updates here: http://tinyurl.com/ye8zt4w
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.
Administrative stuff: Gulf Branch Nature Center, halfway through our hike, doesn't open until 1pm. (That's why we're starting at noon.) While it should be open when we arrive, a pit stop there is not a 100% bet.
Notes:
• Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 Marcey Rd, Arlington, VA 22207, 703-528-5406. http://tinyurl.com/84bx37p
• Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N Military Rd, Arlington, VA 22207, 703-228-3403. http://tinyurl.com/p23mzbb