Alexandria Area Walking & Hiking Group

Kenwood-Bethesda Blooms & Blossoms

Sun, Mar 22 · 12:00 PM EDT

Bethesda Metro station, Wisconsin Avenue and Old Georgetown Road, Bethesda, MD, US

Kenwood, a Chevy Chase neighborhood near Bethesda, has 1,200 cherry trees lining its streets, along with bevies of glorious gardens in this upscale area. Most of the trees will probably be blooming later this month but this will be a pleasant time to tromp the neighborhood before the throngs of spectators arrive to see those trees.

Sunday will be cloudy and 71 degrees. This will be a pleasant hike throughout a tranquil suburban neighborhood with lots of stunning homes and 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. The nearest is Waverly Garage, just east of the Metro Station at 7401 Waverly St, Bethesda, MD 20814. See the Bethesda parking website for parking rates: https://www.bethesda.org/node/381
• 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 cloudy and a high of 71. 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 is free on Sundays and County Holidays is in Montgomery County Garages. (I'm not sure if the garages are still free on Sundays.) For all other days, see the Bethesda parking website: https://www.bethesda.org/node/381