Alexandria Area Walking & Hiking Group

Graves Mill Trail

Sat, Aug 1 · 9:30 AM EDT

Graves Mill Boundary Access, Graves Rd, Madison, VA, US

Let's go for a hike along the Rapidan River on the Graves Mill Trail!

The Graves Mill community is named for the Thomas and Sarah Dulaney Graves family, who settled here in the 1700s and built a gristmill. Early on, tobacco and flour were taken to Fredericksburg and shipped to foreign and domestic ports. In the late 1800s, apples and other products were shipped to train depots at Gordonsville or Somerset. The area once contained three general stores, two churches, schools, blacksmith shops, a post office, and of course, a gristmill. Be sure to check out the Graves Mill Historical Park on your way to/from the hike!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the trailhead at the Shenandoah National Park Graves Mill Boundary Access, we'll follow the Graves Mill Trail upstream along the Upper Rapidan River, crossing over it in several places. At the Rapidan Valley Fire Road we'll turn around and retrace our steps to the trailhead.
• This is a moderate difficulty out-and-back hike, 4.4 miles, with about 463 feet of elevation gain. The trail is well marked and fairly easy going, but there are two shallow river crossings. Plan for around 3 hours, and plan to get your feet wet.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/y4yvvkkk

❷ How to get there:

• The address of the trailhead is Graves Mill Boundary Access, Graves Rd, Madison, VA 22727, GPS = 38.43709, -78.36703, https://goo.gl/maps/j2dq9LPiy7HfLAUa9
• From the Capital Beltway (either direction), the drive is about 78 miles and should take around an hour and a half. Take I-66 W, follow I-66 W and US-29 S to VA-230 W in Madison County. Continue on VA-230 W. Take State Rte 662 to Graves Rd. The parking area and meetup point are at the end of Graves Road. There is space for about 12 cars in the parking area, plus maybe a dozen more parallel parked along the road outside the sign marked "No parking past this sign." (Obviously risky, but I didn't see anyone getting towed when I reconnoitered.) See https://goo.gl/maps/bueU7ZuCEXbKtJb36
• Abby and I will be driving direct from Stafford, so please coordinate carpooling as desired in the comments section. A good carpooling spot would be the Vienna Metro North Parking Area, 9486 Virginia Center Blvd, Vienna, VA 22181. Parking is free on weekends.

❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes with some tread on them, snacks, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended, and some dry shoes and socks for after the hike.

❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 89F, with light S winds and a 1% chance of showers at start time, dropping off. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/3pxtpdc8

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 no restrooms or drinking water at the trailhead or along the trail (except leafy trees and rocks, of course). Fortunately, there are a couple of good spots to pit stop just before you get to the trailhead; see the first three locations below.

❼ Notes:

• Sheetz, 2902 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA 22727 (15 minutes' drive)
• Yoders Country Market, 2105 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA 22727 (17 minutes' drive)
• McDonald's, 327 Washington St, Madison, VA 22727 (19 minutes' drive)
• Graves Mill, 29 Graves Rd, Madison, VA 22727
• Graves Mill Historical Park, 52 Bluff Mountain Rd, Graves Mill, VA 22727
• Bavarian Chef, 5102 S Seminole Trail, Madison, VA 22727. https://thebavarianchef.com/

Splashin' Around at Jones Point Park

Sun, Aug 2 · 10:00 AM EDT

Jones Point Park, 1 Jones Pt, Alexandria, VA, US

Looks like a nice Sunday, withonly about a slight chance of showers in the morning. Let's go for a walk around Old Town and see what's going on.

❶ What we'll do:

• From the old ship's rudder under Wilson Bridge we'll walk south to the Jones Point Lighthouse, then east and north along the Mount Vernon Trail and the Alexandria waterfront to the Torpedo Factory, with a short jag to the west to walk through Wilkes Street Tunnel. After a short break at the Torpedo Factory we will continue upstream along the Potomac to Canal Center Plaza, and then return south to Jones Point Park along Fairfax, St Asaph, Pitt, and Lee streets, with a necessity break (if needed) at the Ramsay House, adjacent to Market Square.
• This is a 4.8-mile loop hike and should take about two hours at a moderate pace. The surface is fairly level and paved throughout, except for brief stretches of pebbled paths in parks along the way.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/5n8snpe2

❷ How to get there: The park entrance is at the south end of South Royal Street in Old Town Alexandria. From Highway 1 (either direction), take Franklin Street east to Royal Street, turn right and drive south 3 blocks until the street ends in front of Wilson Bridge. The park entrance is on your left. The street address is 1 Jones Point Drive, Alexandria, VA 22314.

❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). An umbrella or rain jacket/poncho is recommended.

❹ Weather: The forecast is mostly cloudy and a high of 89F, with a 2-4% chance of showers in the morning, with thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. South winds at 9-10 mph. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/yck2442z

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 at Jones Point Park, the Torpedo Factory, the Ramsay Visitor Center, and at commercial establishments along our way.
• Parking at Jones Point Park is free and there is room for around 100 cars. DO NOT park along S Royal St at the entrance to the park! You may be towed!!

❼ Notes:

• Jones Point Park, Jones Point Dr, Alexandria, VA 23242. http://tinyurl.com/pbyq733

Sunset Parade at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

Tue, Aug 4 · 6:00 PM EDT

Rosslyn Metro Station, 1850 N. Moore Street, Arlington, VA, US

The Sunset Parade ceremony, featuring "The Commandant's Own" United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and the United States Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, showcases Marine Corps precision, discipline, and tradition. The Sunset Parade tradition began in 1956 as a tribute to the Marines whose “uncommon valor was a common virtue.” Standing in the shadow of the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial’s 32-foot-high figures, guests experience a unique ceremony that honors Marine Corps heritage and dedication.

Let's meet in Rosslyn and walk to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial to enjoy the ceremony!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the sidewalk in front of McDonald's, across the street from the Rosslyn Metro Station (Moore St side), we'll walk about 0.6 miles south along Fort Myer Dr and Meade St to the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, arriving at the restrooms. From there we'll pick out a likely spot to watch the ceremony. After the ceremony is complete, we'll return north to our starting point.
• The walk a little over a mile, mostly flat with steps here and there, and should take about 15 minutes each direction. This is a very easy walk.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/mu2u6se8

❷ How to get there:

• Driving: Rosslyn Metro Station is located at 1850 N. Moore Street, Arlington, VA. There is limited parallel parking in the area, but allow time to hunt for it. See https://goo.gl/maps/AQjzsa82x5XcWHYDA
• Metro: Rosslyn Metro Station is on the Blue and Orange Metro lines. See current Metro status here: https://www.wmata.com/service/status/

❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and weather-dependent clothing or umbrellas. Insect repellent, a flashlight, and a light blanket or folding chair to sit on during the ceremony are recommended.

❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 88F, with 6 mph SSE winds and a 24-36% chance of showers, with possible thunderstorms. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/mpzzy5tk

❺ Advisories:

• 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:

• Restrooms are located at McDonald's near the meetup point (open 24/7) and at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial (restrooms close at 8 pm).
• Cost: Admission is free, and no reservations are required.

❼ Notes:

• Sunset Parades at the U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial, https://www.barracks.marines.mil/Parade-Information/

Event illustration: U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Christian Varney/Released (public domain)