Wheaton Regional Park and Brookside Garden a 6.2 Moderate Hike

Winding Trails, a Hidden Garden, and Tranquil Beauty

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER NOTES

Just beyond the rush of the beltway lies a natural sanctuary spanning 536 acres, a green expanse with woodland trails and gentle hills. Here, the landscape feels worlds away from the city’s hum.

Our hike leads us along wooded trails through towering trees and across modest elevations, showcasing the quiet beauty of the park. Along the way, we’ll venture into the edge of Brookside Gardens, a 50-acre oasis renowned for its lush plantings and tranquil, shimmering pond. Often celebrated as the “jewel of Montgomery County parks,” these gardens feature vibrant blooms, meandering walkways, and the gentle murmur of water.

Most trails are natural surface, while certain stretches are paved.
Feel free to bring along a lunch—though take care to enjoy it at the trailhead or in Wheatoon Regional proper, as picnicking is not permitted within the Brookside Gardens. Afterwards, you may wish to return to Brookside Gardens, just a short stroll away, where the flora and water offers the perfect end to a day spent in nature.

Please be aware that while a leashed Fido may travel with us through the park, he or she is not permitted in Brookside Gardens. Best to leave Fido at home.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:15 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:30.

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 39.054546, -77.043680
The Street address is 2004 Shorefield Rd · Silver Spring, MD. When you enter the park you come to a circle. Drive around it 3/4 of the way (to make a left turn) and proceed to a large parking lot. Drive to the far end of the lot.

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: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 480 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead and about 4.5 miles into the hike
Fees: No entrance fee

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.

Notes:
-PLEASE RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. SHOULD YOUR PLANS CHANGE KINDLY UPDATE YOUR RSVP BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO FILL YOUR SPOT. IF YOU ARE ON THE WAIT LIST IT IS IMPORTANT TO SIGN OUT AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL NOT ATTEND BECAUSE MEETUP MOVES PEOPLE AUTOMATICALLY TO THE GOING LIST ONCE A SPOT OPENS. SIGNING OUT AFTER 6 PM WILL BE CONSIDERED A "NO SHOW" AND REPEATED INSTANCES MAY RESULT IN BEING BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE HIKES LED BY THIS ORGANIZER. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS RE SIGNING OUT TEXT THE ORGANIZER.
-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.