Bluebells at Seneca Park, Virginia
Details
The Virginia shore of the Potomac along Seneca Park is one of the best places to find Virginia bluebells, so let's go have a look!
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The route: From the trailhead in Seneca Park, we’ll walk about a half mile north and east to a rock outcrop overlooking the Potomac River. From there we'll turn east and head downstream along the Potomac Heritage Trail through woodland trails carpeted with bluebells and other wildflowers. Reaching the eastern boundary of Seneca Park, we’ll continue east into Fraser Preserve for about another mile before turning back and retracing our steps to the trailhead.
This is an out & back hike of about 5.4 miles of smiles, and should take about two hours at a moderate pace.
The hike difficulty is moderate to easy. The surface is a mix of gravel and dirt paths, with footbridges and fallen logs here and there. Aside from the descent into and climb out of the Potomac River Basin, it’s fairly flat and easy going.
Google map: http://tinyurl.com/j2vjxwm
How to get there: From I-495 (either direction) --
• Take Exit 47A for VA- 7/Leesburg Pike/Falls Church towards Tysons Corner
• Merge onto VA-7 W/Leesburg Pike and drive west for 9.4 miles
• Turn sharp right onto SR-193E/Georgetown Pike, then take the immediate left onto SR-602/Seneca Road (NB: SR = State Route)
• Follow Seneca Road north about 3.7 miles until it ends in the parking area for Seneca Park, just north of the intersection of Seneca Road and Stonehouse Place
What to bring: Water, sunglasses/sunscreen, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). The wind may make for a chilly start, so consider the layered look. You may consider bringing a change of shoes and socks and an old newspaper to place your muddy shoes on in the car for the ride home.
Weather: The forecast is sunny, a high of 53F degrees, and fairly calm (3-5 mph NNW winds). Updates: http://tinyurl.com/m2yjqtj
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: There are no public restrooms in Seneca Park! There are commercial establishments nearby in Seneca and Great Falls Plaza for a pit stop en route to the hike. (See Google map.)
Notes:
• Seneca Regional Park, 101 Seneca Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066. http://tinyurl.com/jbc69lf
• Trail map: http://tinyurl.com/hsamlbg