Paddle/Hike Combo! Paddle to the Largest Heron Rookery Plus Mason Neck Hike!

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Paddle Hike Combo! Paddle to the Largest Heron Rookery on the Coast and Then Enjoy an Easy Hike in Mason Neck to Check out The Bald Eagles! Appropriate for Both Novice and Experienced Paddlers and Hikers!

Pohick Bay Regional Park, is just 20 miles south of Washington, D.C.

We Have 3 Sit On Tops (SOT) Kayaks to Rent on a first come first serve basis for a flat fee of 20.00 dollars, including portage, paddle, PFD, and a large dry bag. The guide will be bringing them with him so this will save you having to pick up your own rental, buy a rack, as well as portage. That is if you do not own your own boat, yet... We will only bring our rentals with us if they are rented, so please e-mail Kellie at kelliecar@aol.com if interested.

PLEASE do not make rental requests in the RSVP or comment field below, becauseit is too difficult to keep up with requests made in multiple locations. Requests made anywhere except via e-mail to kelliecar@aol.com will have to be deleted/ignored and as a result, I can only count requests made through e-mail. Thanks so much for your understanding. Your guide will bring you the boat along with a paddle, PFD, and a large dry bag

Note Regarding Boat Rental for This Trip:

I just found a link that lists prices for renting from Pohick directly. Please note, that although our boats are less to rent, that they are all rented. Click Here (http://www.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay/content/boating) for information, including pricing, of renting from Pohick which is where this paddle begins.

The Mason Neck peninsula is a tranquil island of relative wilderness adrift in a sea of urban sprawl. Most of the land on the peninsula is either federal, state, or county park land, and a substantial portion of the surrounding area is largely undeveloped. The boot-shaped peninsula is home to Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge and Mason Neck State Park, which were set aside to protect bald eagle habitat, as well as Pohick Bay Regional Park, another area popular with eagles. Eagles are not the only wildlife you will find here; in fact, Mason Neck is a veritable hot spot for number of species including tundra swans, great blue herons, seagulls, osprey, mergansers-the list goes on.

The Paddle

http://photos1.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/9/8/1/event_46394721.jpegAlthough parts of this paddle can be done separately as round trips, to truly experience the wonder of Mason Neck, we arrange a two-car shuttle (which we just happen to be doing), leaving cars at both Mason Neck State Park, and launch our boats from Pohick Bay Regional Park.

Paddle Trip Plan

We will explore the more interesting parts of Pohick. Then soon after rounding Hallowing Point we will enjoy some of the most expensive properties in Fairfax County. When the houses end, we will enter the Great Marsh. Beavers are very active here, and river otter too. Also, tundra swans often gather here. Right after the Great Marsh we will reach the huge rookery, which contains several hundred nests and they should be in roost this time of year, yay! Then it is off to the placid waters of Belmont bay. Lastly we will explore Kane’s Creek which is a beautiful tidal creek filled with spatter dock.

While the paddle portion of this adventure takes to the largest Heron Rookery in the states, the hike portion at Mason Neck, takes us to one of the top places in the country for viewing Bald Eagles! So this day is for the birds-grin! There is ton of wildlife to be seen all around this area so don't forget your waterproof camera...

Pohick Bay Boat Rental is Another Option if We Are Out of Our Rentals

You do not have to own your own boat for this paddle as our group and Pohick Bay both rent boats. For more information about rentals at Pohick, see the following paragraph for special arrangements made for our group. It is much less to rent from our group as it is a flat fee of 20.00 but we only have 3 rentals as our rack can take 4 boats and the guide needs one for his use-grin!

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/c/6/f/event_46395471.jpegPaddle Trip Information

Activity Type: Kayaking, Canoing, and Hiking
Nearby City: Lorton, VA

Length: About 15 Miles for the Paddle and an optional post paddle 4 Mile Hike (even first time paddlers had no problem last year when we did this trip with 14 paddlers to give you an idea of the level of difficulty)

Approximate Paddling Time: About 8 hours for proper time to enjoy it
Difficulty: Ranging from protected marsh to open, tidal water.

Required Gear for the Paddle

Kayak or canoe, paddle, personal flotation device (or arrange a rental through us or at Pohick. Click Here for information and pricing for renting through Pohick) . Plenty of water and sunscreen! Pack a lunch to enjoy on the paddle and we will be stopping somewhere on our return trip home for dinner for a whole day of fun!

What is the Event Fee For?

Click here (http://www.midatlantichiking.com/pages/Why_is_there_a_fee_for_Paddling_Excursions/) to find out why there is a $15.00 event fee associated with guided paddle trips.

Boat Launch Fee
4.00 dollars. Click Here (http://www.nvrpa.org/park/pohick_bay/content/boat_launching) for more information about boat launch fees for seniors and or season passes.

The Hike

Join Us for a Post Paddle Easy and Flat Bald Eagle Spotting Hike of 4 Miles in Mason Neck State Park!

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/b/d/c/5/event_46428581.jpegMason Neck State Park is on a peninsula formed by Pohick Bay on the north, Belmont Bay on the south and the Potomac River on the east. The peninsula is an active heron rookery. The park also attracts several other migrating and non-migrating species of birds, including tundra swans and assorted species of duck. Bald eagles also inhabit the area. The park boasts several hundred acres of hardwood forests consisting of oaks, holly, hickory and other species of trees. In addition, several wetland areas are also found in Mason Neck.

Land was purchased over the years from the Nature Conservancy. The park connects with a National Wildlife Refuge, which is more than 2,000 acres. The park opened to the public in 1985.

Trail Information http://img1.meetupstatic.com/img/clear.gif http://img1.meetupstatic.com/img/clear.gif
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/c/a/c/7/event_46431911.jpegActivity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Springfield
Length: 4-5 Miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Very easy
Season: Year-round
Local Maps:USGS Fort Belvoir, Indian Head
Topo Map: Mason Neck State Park Topographic
Map Guide Book: Best Hikes Near Washington, D.C.

Park Fee

$4.00 (Take note we will already have cars parked at this location as this is a point to point paddle)

Carpool Information

There are 2 carpools for this paddle but be certain they have racks for the boats!

Baltimore Area CarpoolTo carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/Carpool_Directions_for_Savage_Station/) to Savage Station. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members. Be SURE that whomever you carpool with has room for your boat.

DC Area CarpoolTo carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, meetup at the Centerville Park and Ride. Click here for information (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/Directions_to_Centerville_Park_and_Ride_Carpool/)and directions to the Centerville location. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members. Be SURE that whomever you carpool with has room for your boat.

If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations such as the DC area, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!

Directions to Where We Meet for The Paddle

Click Here to where (http://www.midatlantichiking.com/pages/Directions_to_Pohick_Bay_Paddle_and_Hike_Combo/) we meet for this paddle!

Paddle is at 10:00 a.m.

Carpool meetup time from Savage Station is 8:45 a.m.

Carpool meetup time at Centerville Park and Ride is 9:00 a.m.

Our Paddling Disclaimer Blurb and Refund Policy

By attending this or any other paddling/hiking event with The Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group, you are agreeing that you are responsible for your own safety at all times. No member of the group except yourself can be held responsible for any damages, accidents, or liabilities incurred while paddling with us. Paddling is an inherently dangerous sport like any other outdoor activity. Information is provided with the understanding that the providers are not engaged in rendering advice on technical matters, equipment performance, safety, or any other aspect of the sport in absolute terms or advocating any of the techniques or experiences described.

This trip and our kayak rentals are non-refundable and non-transferable, period. Please take this into consideration prior to RSVP'ing for this event. It is your responsibility to secure a boat for this trip before RSVP'ing. Refunds are not provided if you RSVP for the trip without making sure you had a boat for the trip. A detailed explanation of why there are no refunds for kayak trips is provided in the link provided under the heading "What is the Event Fee For" above. I am putting this here in great detail in case you change your mind, or could not get a boat, that it has been clear since this was first posted that there are no refunds for this trip.

See you there for this remarkable trip!

Mike Harris: 240.393.7642