Late Summer Nature walk/hike - Potomac, MD

Natural history, nature walk/hike (maybe some PawPaw) in the Carderock Recreation Area (Potomac, MD – along the Potomac River short ways from the Beltway) - a scenic area of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. If we are lucky maybe a few PawPaw fruit, it's been a very poor year for PawPaw. Note, the full walk includes some short steep "step" climbs and some short rock scrambles.
Pace - naturalist shuffle to normal walking pace.
Children (w/ their parents) are welcome as long as they are old enough to do the walk/hike.
Important - The walk leader is severely allergic / chemically sensitive to fragrances, petrochemicals, etc., do not wear perfumes/colognes, scented sunscreen, or other scented personal care products; or use any bug spray or sunscreen.
Bring hat (for both sun & any problems with gnats/flies), & water. Optional: field guides, camera.

Step-by-step directions for how to get to the parking area we are meeting (there are 4 different parking areas):
1. From the Beltway (I-495), take exit 41
(Coming from MD, the sign will say: Carderock, Great Falls, MD. Coming from VA, the sign will say Clara Barton Pkwy, Carderock, Glen Echo.)
2. Take the Clara Barton Pkwy going west.
3. Take the next right (sign says "Carderock, Carderock Div. NavSurfWarCen").
4. Go up the ramp (you'll see an I-495 sign).
5. At the top of the ramp, go left at the stop sign.
6. Go across the bridge over the Clara Barton Pkwy and continue straight into the park (don't turn at the opposite end of the bridge).
7. Follow the road as it winds to the right and goes under the C&O canal bridge.
8. At the “T” turn left, and park in the large parking lot.
9. We will meet/gather at the pavilion (across the grass from where you enter that parking lot.

Inclement weather - the walk will be cancelled) in the event of forecast rain/inclement weather, notice of cancellation will be sent to those who RSVP’d and posted on the Meetup group site by 9:00 am the day of the walk.

Note: This Meetup will be closing at the end of the year and "transferring" to Facebook at: Foraging & Natural History walks in Montgomery County, Maryland & Environs (Meetup has increased its charge to host a Meetup group to over $350 per year, that is not sustainable for me).

SAFETY & COURTESY

Please take your RSVP to attend our Meetup walk seriously and change it promptly if your plans change.
By replying "Yes" to attending this event, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own safety and agree not to hold the organizers / hosts responsible in the event of an accident or personal injury. Participating in the walk is done at the participants' own risk.

Foraging cautions and ethics: See main page write-up.

Contact: Warren Black
E-Mail Contact: w.black@verizon.net
Cell: 301-785-2090 (Important: Please note that this cell phone is normally turned off, this number should only be used the day of the walk if you are having a problem finding the location or meeting up with the group) Call, not text.