VALLEY TRAIL AND WESTERN RIDGE LOOP - A Moderate 5 mile hike

This moderate hike begins at Meadowbrook Park in Montgomery County, MD. Enjoy the quiet woodland trails and creek views which are a hidden joy in this northern section of DC’s Rock Creek Park. We may see woodpeckers, waterbirds and other wildlife, along with lingering wildflowers as we hike. The path will take us into DC at the boundary bridge and we will travel the Valley trail, then cross over one of the small bridges that span Rock Creek to the Western Ridge trail for our return. This peaceful walk along Rock Creek and through mature woodlands has rolling hills with several ups and downs, and a steam crossing or two. Poles might come in handy for the stream crossings and some of the steeper sections, but are not strictly necessary. Most of the trail is natural surface with some rocks and roots, so please wear appropriate footwear.
Please make sure to bring water to drink!
And consider sunscreen and insect repellent.
There are portable toilets near the start of our hike. (I will check on this–the last time I walked this they had been removed, but typically there are facilities near the playground.)
Time to meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00
Contact information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions.
The hike leader is Nancy 240-498-1034 Call or text if urgent.
Directions to the trailhead:.
The address: 7901 Meadowbrook Lane, Chevy Chase, MD 20815.
Go all the way to the end of the road where there is a parking lot near a playground and ballfields. We will meet near the stone building. (You may see signs directing you to Candy Cane City, which is the local name of the playground.)
The GPS coordinates: 38.98672981029209, -77.06160880892341
Elevation Gain: 348 ft.
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour

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
Notes:
PLEASE RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. DO NOT SHOW UP UNREGISTERED!
If YOUR PLANS CHANGE, UPDATE YOUR RSVP BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO FILL YOUR SPOT.
SIGNING OUT AFTER NOON WILL BE CONSIDERED A "NO SHOW," AND REPEATED INSTANCES MAY RESULT IN BEING BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE HIKES.
IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST, PLEASE CHECK YOUR STATUS AFTER 4:00 PM THE DAY BEFORE TO SEE IF YOU HAVE BEEN MOVED TO THE "GOING" LIST. IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST AND NO LONGER WISH TO ATTEND, IT IS IMPORTANT TO SIGN OUT EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT CONFIRMED, OTHERWISE YOU MAY BE MARKED AS A NO SHOW.
-A well-trained, leashed Fido is welcome on this hike.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
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