Winter Eye Candy (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.

Despite weather in the low 20s on Sunday, it's just TOO DROP-DEAD STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL to miss hiking in the snow. Especially since snow seldom hangs around so long in DC. We'll hike 6ish miles on the flat (but still slippery, snow-covered, and risky) C&O Canal Towpath from the Carderock Recreation Area to just past Great Falls Tavern. We'll hike at a moderate 3 mph pace. (Slower in some areas if necessary.) Please do NOT attend if you can't safely and happily keep up with the group since the weather and towpath conditions are special challenges. We'll stop along the way for selfies by the frozen canal and the partially frozen Potomac River.

MEET: Carderock Recreation Area (First available parking outside the Beltway for the C&O Canal) 11:30 am. GPS: 38.976127, -77.205495
Meet by the closed bathroom building in the northernmost parking lot. Our end time is 3 pm. We'll likely finish earlier but the end time depends on how many stops we want to make and how long we dawdle at the Great Falls Tavern and elsewhere. We'll also walk out on Olmstead Island for a view of Great Falls if conditions permit.

BRING: MANDATORY ICE CLEATS MUST BE WORN AND OTHER WINTER CLOTHING IS ALSO REQUIRED ON YOUR BODY AND/OR IN YOUR BACKPACK due to the temperature. THIS IS ALSO REQUIRED: water, two pairs of warm gloves, hat, scarf (or balaclava or gaiter), warm shoes (insulated and/or Gore-Tex or similar), one to two pairs of wool (or other) warm socks, and two pairs of pants or one pair of very warm pants. Layered jackets are also recommended and hand/toe warmers are HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

PLEASE READ. YOU *WILL* BE GRADED ON THIS: ;)
1. Adults only. 2. No pets, unless your pet can self-propel on snowshoes or cross country skis.

WEATHER: FRIGID! The National Weather Service predicts that it will be partly sunny and 23 (in the shade -- but we'll be in the sun a lot). The winds could reach around 17 mph with higher gusts. Most of the time we will be sheltered from a lot of the wind -- BUT THERE COULD BE FALLING BRANCHES so we have to be watchful and extra careful during our hike. (I scouted half of it Saturday and it didn't feel too bad.)
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.026619&lon=-77.203926
https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=39.026619&lon=-77.203926
The canal and the towpath are completely covered with snow and ice. While it's beautiful, even with ice cleats, you could slip and/or your feet could hit a pocket under the snow. Please only attend if you can safely handle all those conditions.

RESTROOMS: Porta potties at the start and middle. Restrooms at Great Falls Tavern.

C&O CANAL CONDITIONS: https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

C&O CANAL MAP:
https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/Great-Falls-Hiking-Map.pdf