Supercalifragilistic Sunflower Surprise (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.

[JULY 17: NOTE NEW MEETING PLACE AND TWEAKED DESCRIPTION!]

Saunter through five “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” sunflower fields at Poolesville's renowned McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. We’ll hike at about a 3-mph pace TO the sunflowers, but once we’re in the fields, we’ll dawdle as we ogle the feisty flowers and take selfies galore. Maybe we’ll even see some blazing blue indigo buntings and perky yellow goldfinches perched atop the sunshine-yellow flowers. Afterward, if there is time and energy, we’ll hike an out-and-back route at roughly 3 mph along the flat but fabulous C&O Canal. (Even there, we’ll stop often for birds, blooms, & beasts.)

What’s the SURPRISE? First, our route — because the fields are in new locations this year and have not been scouted — and second, the distance. We’ll hike less than 10 miles but we’ll tailor the hike to the group and the field conditions, especially due to so much recent rain. We’ll hike most of the time in the WMA and then later, some along the canal, depending on the time and the group’s interests and conditions.

WEATHER:
Hike will cancel if there’s anything but light rain forecast. A weather update will be posted here 24 hours before the hike.

BRING:
Sense of humor; sense of awe; lots of ICED water; fully charged cell phone; lunch; bug spray; sunblock; sun hat; shoes you don’t mind trekking through water or mud; camera; and binoculars. DRESS FOR SELFIES!

MEET:
8 am, "Main" River Road parking lot by the celestial history sign, which is 1/3 mile before Hunting Quarter Road. Please copy these coordinates into Google maps: 39.081429, -77.373065. (This is the first parking lot at the WMA and it's where the big sunflower field is usually planted but not this year.)

(We will walk or carpool from there to Hunting Quarter Road. We can't park there because the lot is too small. After we see the fields there, you can leave early or come with us to the original parking lot location on Sycamore Landing Road. (39.081054, -77.415950) for another field roughly 1/2 mile from the road. If you have lots of energy left, we could do our last leg of the hike on the C&O Canal.)

IMPORTANT NOTES:
We may have to walk on roads so be careful! We’ll try NOT to walk through overgrown fields or trails, but there will be some high grass and some BIG PUDDLES (a minor stream crossing) so beware of ticks and you may wish to dress accordingly. Adults only and no pets, not even pet indigo buntings. No restrooms except a portapotty near our turnaround stop. Biobreaks possible though. Absolutely NO CUTTING of flowers. We will likely finish well before our 3 pm end time but that’s for planning purposes since we’ll lollygag a lot. (If you want to photograph before or after the hike, you might want to bring a ladder.) Sunflowers are likely at peak in most or all of the fields as of July 17. Homestead Farm is nearby if you want more flowers, you-pick blackberries, or pre-picked produce. http://www.homestead-farm.net

MCKEE-BESHERS WMA:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/pages/publiclands/central/mckeebeshers.aspx

2025 SUNFLOWER MAP:
https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/McKee-Beshers-Sunflower-Map-2025.pdf