PATC Hikes & Events

Neabsco Boardwalk and Leesylvania State Park, a 12-mile moderate hike

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."

The hike will explore varied landscapes and history, wetland preserves, wooded upland, creeks, and an early plantation remains above the Potomac River. The hike follows the Potomac Heritage Trail for half a mile across the Neabsco Boardwalk and along the Neabsco Creek to upland woods in Leesyvania State Park. The trail leads along Powells Creek to the Potomac River. Here it follows past a plantation site the Lee family named Leesylvania, and to Civil War defenses overlooking the Potomac River. We then return along the Potomac River and Powell Creek, watching Fishermen trying their luck, and over rolling hills back to the Boardwalk and trailhead.

Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy along the way.

Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introduction and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00.

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike leaders are Christa (410) 610-6254 and Tim (202) 744-0289. Text as needed.

Gold Mine and Great Falls Overlook. A Moderate 6.5 Mile Hike

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER NOTE

This hike features the remnants of a quirky gold mine and the classic overlook of Great Falls. The mine was established by a Union soldier who was stationed along the Maryland side of the Potomac River near Great Falls during the Civil War. He noticed a glint of gold and after the war, he returned to the area, bought some farmland, and started mining for gold. Eventually, 30 small mines were opened by various prospectors. One of the largest mines was the Maryland Mine. Today, little remains of these mines, but there is a loop trail that passes by one of them. The hike starts near Old Angler’s Inn, passes by the mine remains, then goes down to the classic overlook of Great Falls before returning to the woods and hiking back on trails with splendid views of the Potomac River. Please note, the parking lot fills early so plan to arrive by the 9:45 briefing.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00.

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 38.981913, -77.226457
The Street address is 10801 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854. NOTE: This address is for Old Angler's Inn. The parking lot for the hike is across the street from the Inn. DO NOT park in The Old Angler's Inn parking lot. They tow.

Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.

Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 590 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead
Fees: No entrance fees

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Prince William Forest Park is an often overlooked gem in the Washington DC area. This 15,000 acre park protects the largest piedmont forest in the national park system and the largest green space in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. Located just 30 miles from Washington, the park was first established in 1936 during the great depression. During World War II, it was used as a training ground by the Office of Strategic Services (OSS), which later became the CIA.

There are numerous hiking trails in the park, spanning the stream valleys of the North and South Branches of Quantico Creek. Most of the hiking is moderate with a few steep ridges and some rocky sections. All the trails pass through mature hardwood and pine forests and many of them follow one of the streams.

For this hike, we will follow a counterclockwise circuit starting from the Turkey Run Ridge Campground. We'll head west on the Old Blacktop Road, then pick up the Oak Ridge Trail to the Oak Ridge campground. We will hike the Farms to Forest Trail Loop and then begin our return route on the South Valley Trail to the High Meadows Trail for a total length of 12 miles and a modest 1000 feet of ascent.

Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00

Directions to Trailhead:
Meet at the Parking Area for the Turkey Run Ridge Campground. The GPS Coordinates are:
38.58268231218298, -77.3735523919373

Route:
Here is a link to the route in AllTrails:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-42f73e8?u=i&sh=pzrvpp

Park Entrance:
This park is a national park, so annual national park passes are accepted. The park fee is $20 per single-passenger vehicle (fewer than 14 passengers) or motorcycle, valid for seven consecutive days. The park does not accept cash.

Contact Information:
The hike Leader is Peter: 703-999-9435. Call or text as needed.

Hike Details:
Rating: Moderately difficult due to the distance of 12 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,000 ft
Pace: 2.25 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets and water can be found near the Turkey Run Ridge campground.

What to Bring:
Bring sturdy hiking shoes, hiking poles, insect repellent, and rain gear if the forecast warrants it. Also, we will be on the trail for 4 to 5 hours so bring at least 2 liters of water and something to eat. We will stop for lunch along the way.

A well-mannered, leashed Fido is welcome on this hike!

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.