Great Falls/Difficult Run 4.6-mile, water views

The trails in Great Falls National Park, Virginia, offer spectacular views of the Potomac Gorge and Difficult Run.

This hike will be a repeat of January 4th, 4.6 miles at a leisurely pace.

We will start on the Old Carriage Road and winding Swamp Trail. Then onto the Ridge and Difficult Run Trails, including hills and a detour to a waterfall. Return ralong the Ridge trail and more difficult River Trail, which has short but steep hills; steps; mini-rock scrambles; and clifftop overlooks.

We will pause at several overlooks and finish at the overlooks of Great Falls.

Bring; hiking boots (no smooth-soled shoes), water, and snacks for a rest stop halfway through the hike.

Start time: Meet at 10:30 and start walking at 10:45.

Pace: average 2.0 mph (faster on the early flat section, slower on the later rocky section)

AllTrails map: We will mostly follow the AllTrails "River, Ridge, CCT, and Swamp Trails" in reverse: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/great-falls-loop-river-ridge-cct-and-swamp-trails

Custom Alltrails map:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/custom-route-382bf19?p=-1&sh=fuqxr6&utm_medium=map_share&utm_source=alltrails_virality

Meeting point: Meet at 10:30 am for sign-ins and introductions, at the bottom of the ramp to the Visitor Center (the entrance facing the parking lot). Street address is 9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22102. Allow extra drive time for construction delays on Georgetown Pike and George Washington Parkway.

Meeting place coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kAY7ou858TqCAJeK7?g_st=ipc

Park entrance fee: NO CASH ACCEPTED. $20 per car or $35 annually. Free with a National Park pass. Carpools can be arranged by using the Meetup Comments section. (Hike leader can take 1-2 passengers from Eastern Market or Rosslyn metro station if willing to go early.)

Facilities: The park has restrooms and a snack bar located "under" the Visitor Center.

Contact Information: Please use the Meetup Comments for routine comments and questions. Hike leaders are Amber 703-231-5978 and Peter 703-999-9435. However, there is NO cell service in the park, so hike leaders will not get last-minute messages.

RSVP: Sign-up ends at 6:00 pm the night before. Please do not show up unregistered. If you can't make the hike, please cancel your RSVP by 6 pm the night before to allow others on the waiting list to join.

To find out more about PATC, see
www.patc.net
Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, see www.patc.net/membership