Super Sunflowers (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.

Trek along the C&O Canal to four sunflower fields at Poolesville's renowned McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area. We’ll hike about 7-9 miles. When we're hiking around the refuge and heading to the sunflowers along the canal, we'll hike at a brisk 3-mph pace with several stops for nature. 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. Our route is a little squishy depending on trail conditions but we will cover a big chunk of the wildlife management area in addition to the sunflower fields. Plan for up to 9 miles just in case trails are impassable on hike day.

WEATHER:
Hike will go in light rain but heavy weather will cancel. I'll post a weather update here 24 hours before the hike.

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

MEET:
9 am, C&O Canal Parking lot: Sycamore Landing Road at the C&O Canal
13402 Sycamore Landing Rd., Poolesville, MD. GPS coordinates: 39.074928, -77.419886

IMPORTANT NOTES:
Details about the hike may have to be tweaked a week before the hike depending on our scouting expedition because we are depending on access to the refuge from a "secret" entrance along the canal that can get too overgrown to enter.) If the sunflowers peak at a very different time than past years, we might even have to change the date! There could be some high grass -- WITH TICKS! -- and some BIG PUDDLES (maybe even a minor stream crossing) so dress accordingly. Adults only and no pets, not even pet sundogs.. No restrooms except a portapotty near the start. 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 in your car for after the hike.)

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

2026 SUNFLOWER MAP (NOT IN THE 2025 LOCATIONS!):
https://dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Documents/Sunflower-Map-2026.pdf