McLean to Arlington: Pimmit Run and Gulf Branch Trail - (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 is a 7½ mile hike with 600' elevation gain. We will start at the parking lot of the Mary Leven Butler preserve, find our way to the Pimmit Run Trail and follow that to Chain Bridge. There we will take the Potomac Heritage Trail and then the Gulf Branch Trail to the Gulf Branch Nature Center where we will rest. Then through Glebe Road Park and a short piece along Glebe Road, back to the Pimmit Run Trail and then to the starting point.

The hike will have nice overlooks of the Little Pimmit Run, the Pimmit Run and the Potomac River and will pass nearby a few Civil War Forts (Marcy and Ethan Allen). The hike is relatively flat, on a rather narrow trail with many roots, a few stream crossings, and one short, steep climb which we will not descend on the way back. Poles may be useful.

The current weather forecast for Tuesday has a slight chance of rain, in spots, temperatures between 70 and 80F. By all means, pack your raincoat.

The parking lot at the starting point accommodates 12 cars. If it is full when you arrive, don’t park on Kirby Road, but in the Potomac Hills neighborhood, along Loch Raven Drive or Colleen Drive. No restrooms at the starting point; there is a porta potty at the rest stop.

Pace: 2½ mph when moving.

Leader: Willem Janssen, 202-280-4397

Rating: C

Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy

Trailhead: We will start at the Mary Leven Butler Preserve parking lot on Kirby Road, McLean, GPS coordinates are: 38.929789, -77.146651. You may also find it in your navigator by inputting 1501 Kirby Road McLean.

Map for hike: [mary-leven-butler-preserve-to-gulf-branch-nature-center-c75e10e-5337ddfc.pdf (alltrails.com)](https://cdn-assets.alltrails.com/pdf/v2/mary-leven-butler-preserve-to-gulf-branch-nature-center-c75e10e-5337ddfc.pdf)