Name: Tundra Swans (Rating: C)
Start: 2025-11-28T08:30:00-05:00
End: 2025-11-28T12:30:00-05:00
Location: Pohick Bay Regional Park

*You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](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.*

The Tundra Swans are back at their winter home in the Great Marsh of Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refuge! I saw 60+ very active swans a few days ago. These magnificent birds are spending the winter in the Great Marsh of Belmont Bay and will leave in mid-March for their breeding grounds in the tundra of far northern Canada near the Arctic Ocean.
We'll begin our **8 mile hike** in Pohick Bay Regional Park, and take the connector trail to the Elizabeth Hartwell National Wildlife Refuge. From there we'll hike on the Woodmarsh Trail to the viewing platorm to view the swans. We will retrace our hike back to Pohick Bay Park and the parking lot. There will be a great view of the bay area as well as a lake and marshes. Last year I led this hike from the Woodmarsh Trailhead, but Pohick Bay has a larger parking area and this frees up the smaller Woodmarsh parking lot for other visitors.
Bio on Elizabeth Hartwell and the Refuge:
https://www.fxva.com/blog/post/herstory-masonneck/

**Hike:** 8 miles flat. The Woodmarsh Trail is natural surface with roots. The Pohick to Woodmarsh High Point Trail is paved. Please note that bikes also used this paved trail. We'll take a short snack break.

**Pace:** 2.5-3 mph. Please make sure you are comfortable with this pace.

**Leader:** Kris N. (618) 623-2484. Please include your name if you send a text.

**Restrooms:** There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda across from the parking lot where we begin our hike, and restrooms at the Woodmarsh Trail where we'll stop on the way back.

**Fee:** No Fee

**Dogs**; No dogs please

**Meet**: Meet at the **Pohick Bay trailhead parking lot at 8:20am** to allow everyone to be signed in and start on time at 8:30am. The swans are usually active in the morning, and the earlier start time means it's less likely that we''ll interfere with other hikers enjoying the limited space viewing platform.

**Meeting Place Instructions**:
**From Interstate 95 North:**

* Take exit 161 to Lorton, Rt. 1 N.
* Go about 1.8 miles to first stop light and turn right on to Gunston Rd.
* Go about 3.2 miles on Gunston Rd to park entrance on left.
* Drive straight into the park all the way down to the marina area.

**From Interstate 95 South:**

* From I95 S, exit 163 to Lorton.
* Left onto Lorton Rd at the end of exit ramp.
* Go under second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market St. (You will see Shoppers Food Warehouse)
* Go about 1.1 mile to traffic light at RT. 1.
* Go straight through light (road name changes to Gunston Rd) and go about 3.2 miles to park entrance on left.
* Drive straight into the park all the way down to the marina area.

Make sure to go past the Pohick Bay Golf Course and Meadowood Stables on Gunston Rd. Turn left on Pohick Bay Drive, at the park entrance. After entering the park, go straight down the road to the marina area. When you get to the Eagle’s Nest, there is a parking lot just around the loop. Park there and we will meet at 8:20am so we can get everyone checked in and start on time. There are restrooms at the Eagles Nest Veranda. **GPS: 38.67467, -77.16711**

Kris N. 🥾🥾

Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

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Tundra Swans (Rating: C) 

Pohick Bay Regional Park

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Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

Tundra Swans (Rating: C)

Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

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