DC Urban Walkers

Millage: 5.4
Map: (two parts because gmaps won't let map trail correctly) kamoot, caltopo
Start Location: Van Ness-UDC Metro Station
End Location: Woodley Park-Zoo/Adams Morgan Metro Station
Terrain: There will be some unpaved hiking trails and hills.

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We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early. Note, we often limit the RSVPs to keep group sizes manageable. If you are on the waitlist but would really like to join, reach out to the organizer.

Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description to see if you can manage transportation.

If you've enjoyed our walks please consider donating a few bucks to help us keep this group running (meetup is expensive!). Donation Link

This ~5.8mile photogenic frolic is an easy THRU/ POINT TO POINT walk that is relatively flat albeit a benign incline in the first half. Pace: 3mph. The trek circumnavigates the Pentagon followed by a subterranean saunter through the Crystal City Underground!

The walk egresses from outside the Visitor Center entrance above ground, eventually skirting along a scenic section of shoreline of the Pentagon Lagoon Yacht Basin, then meanders to the mesmerizing NAVY AND MARINE MEMORIAL (that has 7 Seagulls). After gandering past the President Johnson Memorial Grove, an aerial runway is revealed before pausing at the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial which has bathrooms & a water refill fountain. This memorial illustrates the victims via an impeccable array of benches nestled beneath timeless trees.

The trek continues through a tunnel, observing a stupendous sundial, en route to the flowery Metropolitan park that features the Queen City brick tower. Can you enumerate what's hiding inside?

Latter of the circuit descends down below ground traversing corridors of the DEAD Crystal City Mall, (ironically?) perusing past pictures of Tulips as well as some sublime semi-stained glass-- the mall itself also has some artistic stone flooring. Connections to buildings remain open, yet remnant storefronts are vacantly closed.

The walk exits the underground with a quick queue through the "National Landing Water Park" before diving back down... Concluding underground!

NOTES:
1. Trail Forecast= MAP | Shade advisory (bring a hat, sunglasses); NO dogs. Metro commuting advised: alight from Pentagon station (BL/ YL). The walk ends at the Crystal City station (also BL/YL).
2. The Pentagon Police do NOT allow photography at the Visitor Center entrance.
3. Post-social @Nat'l Landing Water park (multiple eateries/ outdoor food hall)
4. Footnote: This Meetup Walk takes some inspiration from a previous peregrination hosted by Austin within this group.

Special Thanks to my good buddy Joe H. for drawing the thumbnail.

We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early. Note, we often limit the RSVPs to keep group sizes manageable. If you are on the waitlist but would really like to join, reach out to the organizer.

Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description to see if you can manage transportation.

This 3.5mile easy walk is paved with minor elevation changes. Pace: 3mph. The trek awes at the architecture of the surrounding grounds of the National Park Seminary (NPS), as if traversing houses from around the globe, then later ganders by a gravesite of a U.S. Constitution signer!

After ascending some stairs the walk parallels Georgia Avenue, bridging over two road ramps that connect to the D.C. Capitol Beltway. Be sure to lean left & rear right as the railings feature carved creatures (pictured)! The circuit then saunters past charming homes followed by a frolic through a flowery & fragrant garden.

The trek continues with a pitstop (outside) the National Museum of Health and Medicine before traversing the NPS Historical District: once a resort, turned all Women's College, finally turned from military residence to local residences... All to wander the world but not twiddle too far from Washington. Highlights include a Dutch Windmill, an English Castle, & a Japanese Pagoda-- imagine domiciling here! Eye the columns of queens (aka the "Aloha Maidens") along the way!

Latter of the circuit hikes up a hill en route to the resting place of Daniel Carroll, an important signee to American History. The walk concludes at a sign describing of a protest that traversed AROUND said Beltway.

NOTES:
1. Trail Forecast= MAP | NO Dogs. This walk occasionally traverses residential roads w/o sidewalks.
2. Either commute on Metro alighting from FOREST GLEN station (RD) where this walk starts & finishes, or car at the park & ride parking lot.
3. The Kiss & Ride parking lot may have a port-o-john/ restroom.

We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early. Note, we often limit the RSVPs to keep group sizes manageable. If you are on the waitlist but would really like to join, reach out to the organizer.

Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description to see if you can manage transportation.

This wonderous walk is a 4.5mile easy loop that is flat albeit one hill. Pace: 3mph. The trek traverses the historical Southwest (SW) Heritage trail that waddles into the Washington, D.C. Wharf!

Upon departure the circuit sees Wheat Row, one of D.C.'s oldest residencies. After a meander at a TITANIC MEMORIAL, the walk then wanders the neighborhood passing Fort McNair and Lansburgh park, followed by the recently opened Rubell Museum. The trek pitstops at the lavish SW Library that has accessible restrooms before resuming through the SW Duck pond.

Latter of the circuit ascends to BENJAMIN BANNEKER PARK, named for an early surveyor mapping the City. A spur follows over the Washington Channel of the Potomac river, offering an opulent overlook of the Wharf. The trek descends some stairs then dawdles down the docks viewing robust restaurants as well as beautiful boats, before concluding through a trimmed-up terrace, finally terminating along the Arena Stage.

Highlights include the colorful Culture House (former historic church), the Maine Lobsterman memorial, & the 'Oculus eye' from above!

NOTES:
1. Trail Forecast= MAP | Street shoes best. Metro commuting is advised, alight from WATERFRONT STATION (GR); this is where the walk starts & finishes. Car parking is available here in Wharf Garage #3; then proceed to Meet Spot.
2. Browse this 26page document for Full SW Heritage trl info.
3. Footnote-- Humid weather to be anticipated but hopefully a cool breeze will roll off from the water.

We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early. Note, we often limit the RSVPs to keep group sizes manageable. If you are on the waitlist but would really like to join, reach out to the organizer.

Our events prioritize metro accessibility by meeting and ending at metro stations. Sometimes we start/stop at the same station, sometimes we do not. Please double check the event description to see if you can manage transportation.