Great Falls Virginia, 4.8 miles-REPLACES TURKEY RUN 4.2-MILE HIKE

NOTE: THIS HIKE REPLACES THE TURKEY RUN & LANGLEY OAKS HIKE. That hike is postponed due to hazardous, slippery conditions from recent rains. Will reschedule Turkey Run when dry.

** Priority for this hike will go to those signed up or on the waiting list for Turkey Run. RSVP today and hike leader will move you from waiting list to participant list.

Gather at 10:00 to sign in and begin hiking at 10:15. We will depart from the parking-lot side of the Great Falls Park Visitors Center. Outgoing route is on the Old Carriage Road and Swamp, Ridge, and Difficult Run Trails, including a couple of steep hills and a detour to a waterfall on Difficult Run. Return is on the Ridge Trail and River Trail, which has short, steep hills; steps; rock scrambles; and cliff-top overlooks of the Potomac River in Mather Gorge. We will move slowly on the River Trail and pause for photos.

After the hike, visit the Great Falls overlooks and Visitor Center. Bring a picnic lunch to eat at the picnic tables. (Note: the park has a snack bar that is sometimes closed on weekdays; no cash accepted there or in the Visitor Center.)

Required: Hiking boots/shoes (not athletic shoes with smooth bottoms); water; rain gear. Recommended: hiking poles, sunblock, insect repellent.

Average pace: 2.0-2.25 mph (faster on the early section, slower on the River Trail)

AllTrails: "River, Ridge, CCT, and Swamp Trails" (4.8 miles) route in reverse. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/great-falls-loop-river-ridge-cct-and-swamp-trails?u=i&sh=fuqxr6

Meeting point: Meet at 10:00 am at Great Falls Park, Virginia, on plaza in front of the Visitor Center (door closest to the parking lot). Street address for GPS or Google Maps: 9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22102. Allow extra time for construction delays on George Washington Parkway and Georgetown Pike.

Park entrance fee: FREE this Thursday because of Juneteenth federal holiday.

Facilities: Restrooms available.

Hike details
Rating: Moderate (short distance, but some difficult sections)
Distance: Approx. 4.8 miles
Elevation Gain: Approx. 460 ft.
Walking Pace: Average 2.0-2.25 miles per hour
Conditions: Hilly. Rock scrambles. Can be muddy and slippery after rain.

Maximum number of hikers: 10

Contact Information: Use Meetup Comments for routine comments and questions. Hike Leader is Amber 703-231-5978.

To find out more about PATC, see
https://www.patc.net
To join PATC, see https://www.patc.net/membership