Trail Races

It's a little early for the Wearing of the Green, because the trees and grass are still brown. But you can wear green! The trails in Great Falls National Park, Virginia, offer spectacular views of the Potomac Gorge and Difficult Run--especially now before the vegetation fills out. 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

\*\*\*Note: We have temporarily moved off of the UMD Track and are meeting at Herbert Wells Ice Rink (Same location as Thursdays) for our speedwork. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- Join us for a structured speed workout! If you are new to running, just getting back into it, or checking out the club for the first time, this a great first workout to join. All paces and abilities welcome. A pre-determined workout will be announced at the beginning and participants can adjust the workout to meet their needs and level. Workouts are usually planned by time, rather than distance, which helps accommodate the wide variety of paces that we have and allows the group to stick together. Warm-up starts at 6:30pm. Children are welcome, if accompanied by a responsible adult. **Parking information:** Free parking is available; park nearest the trail (farthest from the ice rink)

Brisk 3- to 4-mile urban hike starting and ending at Red Bear Brewing Company across from NoMa metro. We will hike the Metropolitan Trail to the Basilica, then return to Red Bear for drinks and food.

Trail Mix: Worship on the Move on the W&OD Trail Tuesdays \| 6PM \| Meet at the Picnic Tables @ Vine \(2501 Gallows Rd\) Step out onto the W&OD Trail for a unique worship experience that blends scripture, prayer, movement, and creation. Walk, jog, or run at your own pace as we encounter God outdoors—and share trail mix together when we return. All are welcome. Come ready to move, breathe, pray, and be surprised by the Spirit. thevineva.org

Come join other guys in their 20s and 30s for a friendly group run! This run is not competitive and all skill levels are welcome. Join our [Slack](https://join.slack.com/t/arlington-run-club/shared_invite/zt-2lq70wa9t-INw_xk~MnZM~U41EQsKcXQ) to keep up to date with the group! **MEETING SPOT:** We'll meet a little before 6:30 PM at Rocklands BBQ (3471 Washington Blvd, Arlington, VA 22201). Then we'll head out right at 6:30 PM. **ROUTE INFO:** Here's our updated Tuesday route with the new starting and ending location at Rocklands (3.25 miles): [https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5149157872/](https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5149157872/) For those who want a slightly shorter route, you can end by turning down Quincy Street and running around Quincy Park (3.0 miles): [https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5149206700/](https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/5149206700/) When viewing the route, you may want to login with a MapMyRun account and bookmark the route. Then you can download the MapMyRun app on your phone, login to the same account, and go to your bookmarked routes so you can follow along during the run. **POST-RUN:** We'll grab a drink and some food at Rocklands BBQ for those who are interested in sticking around. **WEATHER:** We won't run in the middle of a thunderstorm, but we'll still go if there's light rain. Many of us will plan to meet at the start time regardless and we can make a call then. We've learned that the weather can change quickly, so there's not much point in canceling the run prematurely. **RSVP:** If you're interested in joining, please join the group here and then sign up for this event so we know you're coming. You're welcome to bring a friend -- all guys in their 20s and 30s are welcome -- but please have them sign up through Meetup or shoot us a message so we know how many people to expect.

**Details** Get ready to hit the trails at Turkey Run - this is a shorter version of our Turkey Run hike at just 3.6 miles. This hike is a bit challenging, with a couple of **stream crossings**, and a couple of **significant elevation gains** (a total of 377 feet of elevation gain). Ideal for **intermediate hikers**. The trail includes shallow stream crossings, adding some fun technical elements along the way. We’ll take regular breaks to regroup, hydrate, and enjoy the scenery. **Hiking shoes are a must -** the trail is slippery, and the extra grip of hiking shoes is essential for safety. Also, don’t forget your **hiking poles**; they’ll be helpful at the stream crossings. After the hike, join us for a social gathering at **Chiang Mai Thai Cookhouse (6828 Old Dominion Dr., McLean)** to unwind, grab a bite, and enjoy time with fellow hikers. **Meeting Time & Location** Meet at 9:30 AM at Turkey Run’s Parking Lot C-1. **Distance:** 3.6 miles **Elevation Gain:** 377 feet **Difficulty Level:** Intermediate Hike (challenging stream crossings) This hike features moderate inclines and **challenging stream crossings** over slippery rocks. Hiking poles are recommended for added balance and stability. **Estimated Duration:** 2.5 hours This hike is expected to take approximately **2.5 hours**, which accounts for breaks, stream crossings, and group pace. **Pace:** Moderate Pace A steady, comfortable pace that’s manageable for most hikers with a reasonable fitness level. Breaks are regular but not overly frequent, allowing for a balanced experience of exercise and enjoyment. **Parking** Park in Turkey Run’s **Lot C-1,** where there's plenty of room for all. Grab a spot, lace up, and get ready to hit the trail! **Trail Map (AllTrails):** [Take a Hike! @ Turkey Run (north)](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-july-28-2025-ee492a6?u=i&sh=ylk43q) **Bathrooms** There are no bathrooms available on this hike. Please plan accordingly. **Age Requirement:** Children under 18 are not permitted. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. **Dog Attendance** For everyone’s comfort and enjoyment, we kindly ask that you leave your dogs at home for this hike. Thank you for understanding! **Lunch After the Hike** Join us for a casual lunch at **Chiang Mai Thai Cookhouse (6828 Old Dominion Dr., McLean)**. Free parking is available in the garage off Beverly Rd.

We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route. Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.

**\*\*Check back to see if the date or start time has changed. This ride will be postponed (possibly replaced with another ride) if the chance of rain is above 49%, or wind speed or wind gusts are above 15 mph (per Accuweather) \*\*** **SKILL LEVEL** All levels will enjoy this ride. It is mostly flat until we get closer to Bladensburg Waterfront Park where we encounter a couple of inclines. **METRO OPTION** Greenbelt Metro Station **PARKING AND MEETING SPOT** Home Depot, College Park, parking lot. Park after the storage sheds against the brick boundary wall. (The trail parking lot is too small and has no bathrooms.) Plan to arrive by 9:45 so you have time to prepare and do a test ride. After check-in at 10, we will do an icebreaker question then ride over to the trailhead. This involves one traffic light crossing and biking a short distance on a sidewalk. **ROUTE DETAILS** The organizers will stop every two miles to regroup so slower riders can catch up and we stop at intersections that could be confusing. Faster riders may wish to meet us at a designated regroup point. **Paint Branch Trail** begins on Cherry Hill Rd. It goes south to the UMD campus. It is one of the flatter trails and also has several shady segments making it suitable for summer biking. We will regroup at the T-junction before the route 1 tunnel. After reaching UMD, we will connect to the **Lake Artemesia Trail**, which takes us to the scenic Lake Artemesia. Regroup at the bathrooms in the middle. After biking around the lake, we'll get on the **NE Branch Trail** and make a quick stop at the College Park airport/College Park Aviation Museum - the longest operating airport in the world and where Wilbur Wright trained the first aviators. We'll take the NE Branch Trail down to Bladensburg Waterfront Park. (Water station and bathroom stop). We'll regroup before crossing the bridge and then at the park by the caboose. We'll return on NE Branch Trail and regroup before we make a left on **Rachel Carson Greenway Trail** (a short sidewalk on Charles Armentrout Dr) to the Route 1 light. Turn right onto **Rhode Island Ave Trail.** Take RI Ave Trail north until College Park Community Center. Turn right onto Paint Branch Trail and go back to the start. **DISTANCE OPTIONS** Participants are welcome to turn back at any point. The below are just suggestions. Option A Bike 3 miles up to UMD campus and return. Option B Bike 5 miles to and around Lake Artemesia and return **Option C** Bike \~9 miles down to Bladensburg Waterfront Park and back to the starting point [The organizers plan to do this]. Option D Bike additional miles by continuing on Paint Branch Trail going north for additional 6 miles. **BATHROOMS** Home Depot UMD campus Lake Artemesia Bladensburg Park Riverdale Center **BIKE RENTALS** NA **BIKE REPAIR** Proteus Bike Shop (North end of the Trolley Trail) **RECOMMENDATIONS** **Bring:** Water bottles, snacks, bike bell, bike lock, helmet visor, sunglasses, bike tube, pump, patch, first aid kit, mobile phone with nav app installed (e.g. Google maps, we use RidewithGPS). If you get leg cramps during or after a ride, take electrolytes before and during your ride (or add salt and magnesium to your water). A change of clothes for your ride home or a car seat cover to absorb sweat. **Clothing:** Wear biking gloves and durable clothing so that if you do fall, your skin is protected. Avoid wearing all black, all dark grey, all dark brown, or all dark blue, which blends in with pavement, especially while riding through a shady segment. Consider wearing something light to help others notice you. **REQUIREMENTS** **Be proactive to avoid a fall/crash and minimize injury:** · Keep a distance between yourself and other bikers. If the biker ahead of you suddenly stops, you should be able to avoid hitting them. · Don’t make stops on the trail. Pull over to the side and use hand gestures to let people know you’re slowing down to make a stop. · Yelling out “Passing on your left” and/or ringing a bike bell as you approach people ahead of you, so they don’t inadvertently move in your line of travel. · Slow down to wait, rather than speeding up when trying to pass people at the same time walkers/bikers are approaching you from the opposite direction. · Avoid potholes and debris and slow down when approaching bumps · When approaching road crossings and iffy situations, triple-check before crossing and don’t let yourself be distracted by talking, etc. · Ensure your helmet is tightly secured so that it won’t move if you hit the ground. **MEETUP POLICIES** Participants should understand that biking is an inherently dangerous activity, and an accident could happen at any time. **Participation is at your own risk**. An RSVP of “Yes” to an event is your digital signature acknowledging that you have read, understood, and agree with Meetup’s and MD Rail Trail Biking’s policies,

Hi ladies. We will meet in front of the Nature Center and head to the two Observation decks. We will then hike Hickory Ridge, Ripple Rock, Overlook and Sugarbush trails to get approximately four miles total distance. We will walk approximately a 18 minute mile pace. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes.

Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. If trail conditions are poor, we will use the Multipurpose Path.