Hiking with Your Dog

PET EXPO HAS CHANGED LOCATION TO MANASSAS SO I NEED TO FIND ANOTHER DATE FOR THIS. Please note park charges admission but meetup itself is free. I highly recommend folks invest in a NPS annual pass as it will pay for itself quickly. We will be exploring the Virginia side of the Great Falls National Park. Please meet at the visitor's center promptly at 9 am. Dogs must follow NPS rules (be kept on a leash and be 4 months/fully vaccinated). We will depart after the group picture along the ramp to the visitor center. This will be a gentle slow walk to take in views.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. This hike runs at 8.90 miles and 380 feet elevation, just at the upper limit for a C hike. We will start at the Bike Lane Brewing &Café, at 11150 Sunset Hills, Reston VA 20190, **at 9.00 am.** From there we will follow the W&OD trail to Sunrise Valley Avenue. There we take a left and walk for half a mile through a residential area, then hitting the Difficult Run trail on Brittenford Drive. After about a mile, the Difficult Run trail merges with the Cross County Trail that brings us to Colvin Run Mill, where we will stop for our break. We may have a quick look at the tunnel to nowhere, to see if the works on the passway have started. After the break we will hike through Colvin Run Mill Park, all the time staying close to Colvin Run. The final part of the hike takes us through Lake Fairfax Park, and then ……. back to the Bike Lane Brewery, where we can rehydrate with noble liquids, maybe sitting outside. The weather forecast for Friday April 24 is promising. Most of the surface is easy going, but there are some rocky parts, especially towards the end. There are two river crossings, one on well-spaced concrete pillars and one on large and well-spaced boulders. Please make sure that you take enough supplies and that you are prepared for the weather: sunscreen or raincoat! **Pace:** 2½ mph when moving. **Leader:** Willem Janssen, cell 202-280-4397 **Rating:** C **Map:** https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-october-23-2024-e3958a8?u=i&sh=g8n9nn **Dogs** are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) **Trailhead:** We will start at the parking lot at 11150 Sunset Hills, Reston, VA 20190 **Coordinates:** 38.948128, -77.330420

Hello Hikers!! Welcome to our Saturday morning hike at 8:30 AM! Many - but not all - of our hikes originate at Great Falls Park, off Georgetown Pike. Unless you already have an appropriate pass, the park entrance fee is $20/car for a single visit or $35/car for a 12-month pass that is good for the Maryland side of the river too. Come twice and you'll save 5 bucks! For the record, all scheduled hikes will be held even when it rains, snows or is super hot or cold unless the weather is too extreme to be safe. Our standard hike is a relatively easy 1 hour plus loop hike at a moderate pace. Usually a hike-extension is offered for those wishing to add a few miles more, up to 7 miles or so total. In spite of our Meetup name, we also hike in nearby parks such as Riverbend, Scott's Run, Turkey Run, Seneca, and Billy Goat A or C on theMaryland side of the Potomac. We have also scheduled hikes in Shenandoah NP and at Sugarloaf in Maryland. Please note that phone connections can be iffy in the park so don't call you are running late, but texting may work. It's best for you to be on time as we set out pretty much on time. This 1+ hour of hiking (or more) is a great way to relax, turn off your cell phones, make new friends, and get some exercise. I hope to see you on the next hike!! Thanks Dick, Julie, and Katie P.S. We will meet at the lower parking lot. Once you pass the ranger's booth, make an immediate U-turn to the right and follow the road downhill to the parking lot. We meet by the big rock at the far end of the lot.

Walk among the largest stand of large-flowered trillium in Virginia at GR Thompson Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Linden, VA. These iconic woodland wildflowers are identified by three large petals, which start white and deepen to rose as they age. A great many other spring ephemerals growing in this area promise to delight both expert and beginner naturalists. On this 5.5 mile hike we will gain about 1000 ft of elevation, and we will hike about 2.0 mph when moving. Photos encouraged! **Hike Route:** Trillium 5.5/1000 (UpperTedLake) on AllTrails https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/trillium-5-5-1000-uppertedlake-92262bf **Time to Meet:** Please meet 15-20 min prior to hike start for introductions and liability waiver sign in. **RSVP:** RSVP to register for this hike. If your plans change, please edit your RSVP 24-48 hours before the hike to open a spot for another hiker. This request also applies to hikers on the Waitlist. RSVPs close at 6 PM the evening before the hike. **Meeting Location/Parking:** 3750 Freezeland Road, Linden, VA. Room for 10-12 cars. **Carpooling strongly recommended.** If we should fill available parking, we will shuttle hikers from a small park (a minute or two away). **GPS 38.93950, -78.03943** **Group Size:** 20 hikers **Facilities:** Privy at Manassas Gap shelter, a mile or so into the hike. **Access Fee:** Hike leader will secure WMA group access permit and pay daily access fee for hikers. **For this reason, NO SHOWS and last minite RSVP updates are discouraged.** **Contact Information:** Please use the comments feature for comments and questions. The hike leader is Lisa P. **Cancellation:** In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, hikers will be notified through comments on this posting. Please check Meetup for updates before leaving for the hike. **What to Bring:** Water at least two liters, emergency contact information, medications, snacks/meal, insect repellent, sunscreen/protection from weather, and personal first aid kit. Trekking poles if you use them, sturdy hiking footwear. Please leave pets at home. Thanks! **PATC:** * To find out more about PATC, [click here](https://www.patc.net/)**.** * Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, [click here](https://www.patc.net/membership) Attendance is limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. PATC rules do not permit children under 18 years to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. Just for a change, let's do this hike backwards. Instead of climbing the 600 steps on the Buck Ridge trail, we'll descend them! You'll still get 9 miles and about 2,600' of elevation gain. Thanks to Caroline for this route. The trailhead parking area off Rt. 211 is limited, so please try to carpool with someone. **Pace:** 2 to 2.5 mph. **Map:** [AllTrails: Buck Hollow - Mary's Rock - Buck Ridge](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/buck-hollow-mary-s-rock-buck-ridge-86d2c52) **Dogs:** Dogs are welcome in accordance with the NVHC dog policy: [https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy) **Trail Notes:** Starting at the Buck Hollow trailhead on Rt. 211, we'll cross the Thornton River, then climb along a stream up the mountain on the Buck Hollow trail. Upon reaching Skyline Drive, we'll pick up the Meadow Spring Trail to the Appalachian Trail. The AT northbound will take us to Mary's Rock, where we'll stop to rest and have a snack as we enjoy the panoramic view. Then we'll retrace our steps to the Meadow Spring parking area where we'll pick up the Hazel Mountain trail and finally the Buck Ridge trail back to the trailhead. **Carpools:** Feel free to arrange carpools in the comments below. Driving time from the Centreville Park & Ride is about 1 hour and 5 minutes. **Please arrive at the Park and Ride by 7:05 to allow drivers to leave by 7:10.** Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from the carpool location; carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk. Suggested carpool fee is $8. **Entry Fees:** $30 per vehicle or park pass From the SNP website: *"You are required to pay an entrance fee in order to access Shenandoah National Park, whether you're driving on Skyline Drive or hiking in from the boundary."* [Shenandoah N.P. fees and passes](https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm) **Leader:** Steve Wiley, cell 571-345-6441 **Trailhead:** Please arrive by **8:15** so we can get everyone checked in and start hiking at 8:30. Coordinates: **[38.6581, -78.2819](https://maps.app.goo.gl/D53TCGhnAb9nZbEo8)**

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, **[https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf)** and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "**I Accept"** to be permitted on the hike. **8.00 mile circuit hike with 500 feet of elevation gain.** **Description:** Our Hike will begin at **Pennyfield Lock 22** along the **C&O Canal** in the **[Pennyfield Lock Parking Lot](https://montgomeryparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Montgomery-Parks-Blockhouse-Point-Trail-Map-letter-2024_a11y.pdf)** , and heads over to the **[C&O Canal Towpath.](https://www.canaltrust.org/plan/co-canal-towpath/)** While walking along the water’s edge, keep an eye out for sunbathing **[turtles](https://www.canaltrust.org/2020/10/top-5-photographed-turtle-species-on-the-co-canal/)**, elegant **[Blue Herons](https://potomac.org/blog/2022/7/11/5-large-birds-you-can-easily-spot-along-the-potomac-river)** and yes, **[snakes](https://www.nps.gov/choh/learn/nature/reptiles-amphibians.htm)** too, all the while soaking in sweeping views of the **Potomac River.** From there the hike heads up into the **[BlockHouse Point](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)**[ ](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)**[Conservation Park](https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/block-house-point-conservation-park/)** offering spectacular views of the **[Potomac River](https://www.americanrivers.org/river/potomac-river/).** **Facilities:** Portable bathrooms at the trailhead **Hike Pace**: Pace will be about **2.0 – 2.5 mph** while moving. **Bring:** Adequate water/hydration, snacks/lunch, insect repellant and sturdy hiking shoes since there are some rocky areas/tree roots, stream crossing. Hiking poles if you normally use them. **Fee:** None **Dogs:** dogs are welcome on this hike in accordance with the **[NVHC Dog Policy](https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy)**. Please be sure your dog is able to hike the distance, **Where to Meet:** **GPS Coordinates**: **39°03'14.7"N 77°17'20.4"W** **[LINK](https://maps.app.goo.gl/1eeDTXwpeV94x4cC8)** **Address:** Pennyfield Lock Road Parking Lot, **12400 Pennyfield Lock Rd · Potomac, MD** Pennyfield Lock Road is about 5.5 miles northwest of Potomac Village on River Road. Turn left onto Pennyfield Lock Road, take it to the very end, then turn left, and continue a few hundred feet to the Porta-Johns where we will park. **CONTACT INFO:** Any questions, please message me here or text me at 703 533 9231 Dawn K. Hike Leader **MAPS:** **[BlockHouse Point Conservation Park](https://montgomeryparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Montgomery-Parks-Blockhouse-Point-Trail-Map-letter-2024_a11y.pdf)** **[AllTrails](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/blockhouse-point-loop-trail)**

**Join us for virtual hike leader training on Tuesday, May 5th 7-9pm. Space is limited!** **[Register Here](https://potomactrailclub.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/potomactrailclub/event.jsp?event=80&)** **\*Do not RSVP here on Meetup, it will not secure your registration. Must register at the link above.** PATC hike leader training is open to experienced hikers in the Mid-Atlantic who are current PATC members. Hike Leader Education courses are offered periodically online and in person. The goal is to provide PATC standards for hike leaders to support safe hiking. **Attaining certification is a 4 step process:** 1\. Take American Red Cross Basic First Aid online or in person\. 2\. Read the [PATC Hike Leaders Handbook](https://irp.cdn-website.com/a2272c1b/files/uploaded/HikeLeaderHandbookOct2025.pdf) 3\. Complete the Hike Leader Education course online or in person 4\. Lead 2 hikes to include planning route\, advertising hike\, vetting hikers\, and leading the hike with under the guidance and assessment of a certified hike leader\. 5\. Lead or co\-lead one hike independent of a mentor\. Class fee: $20.00 for PATC members. For non-members, one must become a PATC member before registering for the course. PATC membership for an individual is $50.00, annually. *\*The leader of the class will reach out a few days prior to send the zoom link.*