Meadowlark Botanical Garden- Early Summer Abundance (Rating: C)

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.

This will be an "out and back" hike covering 8 miles with 469 feet of elevation gain. Meadowlark Botanical Garden is one of the true gems of Northern Virginia and features a Korean Bell Garden.

To quote from the Washington Post:
"The only Korean Bell Garden in the Western Hemisphere is the place to start: The centerpiece is a natural wooden pavilion — built entirely without nails — holding a three-ton bell, handmade in South Korea and decorated with flora and fauna. The garden also contains a mix of plants native to Korea and Virginia, protective figures carved from volcanic rock called dol hareubangs, walls decorated with images of flowers and symbols of longevity, and a koi pond with a fountain. "

To quote from the Meadowlark Garden website:
" Koi swim in Lake Caroline as if parading their gem-like scales among the snapping turtles with decades of filamentous algae streaming from arching shells. Peonies scent the air with ancient flowers of immense proportion. Late in the season the entire garden embodies the in a veil of intimate greenery."

We'll start at the Lake Audubon Pool parking Lot and hike along the Cross County Trail (CCT), Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail and the Meadowlark Connector Trail to our turn around point at Meadowlark Botanical Garden where there are rest room facilities.

We'll stop at the Meadowlark Visitor Center where you can relax, browse the exhibits or take a stroll in the Gardens (General Admission $8 with $4 for those over 55).

We hike at a pace of approximately 2.5 -3.0 mph while moving. You must be experienced with hikes of this length and elevation gain.

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy.
https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy
Please note only service animals are allowed in the Garden and Visitor Center so canine hikers will have to wait outside during our stop.

Leader: Steve Frith cell 703-629-0174

Park Entry Fee: see above description for optional stroll through the Garden

Map for hike:

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/lake-audubon-to-meadowlark-garden-steve-f-cf77e1f?u=i