Day Hike - Rock Creek Park (3.5 Miles)

## Details

Rock Creek Park is a 1,755-acre wooded oasis in the heart of Washington, DC. Beyond the main block of land along Rock Creek, the park includes parcels scattered across northwest Washington. Archeology has brought many untold stories of this park's long and fascinating history to light. People lived on the land for thousands of years before the park was established in 1890 and, even then, dozens of people still lived within its boundaries. Archeologists found Native American camp sites dating between 2,500 BCE and 1,400 CE, colonial tenancies, nineteenth-century dwellings, and Civil War military artifacts. Rock Creek Park's archeological resources thus preserve significant points in Washington's regional history.

We will meet at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium at 11:00 AM and walk to the trailhead. Free parking is available at any of the numbered picnic areas, the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, and off of 16th Street near the Rock Creek Tennis Center. You are welcome to organize carpools in the comments section below. Please post a comment if you are willing to drive.

## Trail Facts

• Difficulty Level: Moderate
• Length: 3.5 Miles
• Duration: 1-2 hrs
• Elevation Gain: 337 Feet
• Permits: None
• Parking: Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
• Dogs: Must be leashed and under control at all times.
• Trailhead Coordinates: 38.95869094449462, -77.04918954511426
• AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington-dc/boulder-bridge-loop

Trail Details:
We'll be doing the Boulder Bridge Hike. The trail is marked with pink blazes on posts for the entire loop. It starts at the White Horse Trail trailhead. It is generally considered an easy route. It is a popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. This area is closed to vehicular traffic from 7 AM on Saturdays to 7 PM on Sundays and holidays but on weekdays the route is shared with vehicles. The path is wide and well-cleared, but steep and uneven in the beginning and ending sections. The entrance can be a bit tricky to find - it is by the horse stable. This loop is a combination of established trails in Rock Creek Park.

LIABILITY NOTICE:
Please remember that this group operates under the common adventurer model. We are a group of friends and volunteers organizing trips for fun and shared experience. Participants are expected to be familiar with best hiking practices and choose hikes that align with their physical abilities and experience. Organizers and members are not liable for any injuries, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from group activities. By attending this event, you agree to assume all risks associated with the activity.​

For more information on the common adventurer model, please see Ron Watters' definition.​

If you believe you may be lost during the hike, follow the advice of the US Forest Service.​

See you on the trail!