Rock Creek, Northern Section; 6.6 or 9-mile miles, your choice

Thursday Hike: Rock Creek Western Ridge, Northern Section; 6.6 or 9 Miles, your choice.

Enjoy this 6.6 or 9-mile loop trail in Rock Creek Park. The hike is generally considered a moderate route and takes an average of 3.5 hours to complete the first part and 1.5 hours for the second. The hike rambles through rolling hills that will make you feel far removed from city life. As this is a weekday hike, we will encounter relatively few others on the trails. We will pass by the site of a civil war fort, a "ford" crossing in use in years past, and the cabin of the “Poet of Rock Creek," Joaquin Miller. We also pass by a large community urban garden. There is a fun stream crossing, so feel free to bring a pole if you wish. After the hike, feel free to join us for a quick lunch.

The optional extended hike begins after the lunch. This 2.7-mile hike travels through the middle section of Rock creek through lesser used trails. There are some hills and a small stream crossing.

The 6.6 mile hike will end around 1:30 PM. The 9 mile hike will end around 2:30 PM.

The trails are open year-round and beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. Toilets are available at the start and finish of the hike.

Please note. You must register by 9:00 PM the night before the hike. We also ask that if you sign up and decide not to attend, please sign out, by 9:00 PM the night before the hike. We often have a waiting list and signing out allows others to sign in. If you do not attend and have not signed out at least one hour before the hike begins, you will be considered a no-show.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00

Directions to Trailhead: We meet at the Rock Creek Nature Center and Planetarium, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015.

The GPS coordinates are 38.96062, -77.05157

Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.

Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6.6 or 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 630 feet for the 6.6 mile hike, 909 for the 9-mile hike.
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour

Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead

Fees: No entrance fees

Cancellation: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Weather: The weather for this location can be found here.

Maximum number of hikers: 15

Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here. Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.