Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hiking. Show all posts

Sunday, May 26, 2019

Sierra Club hikes the Potomac


Yeeker, yikers! Dinosaurs in Great Falls National Park? Well, doesn't it look like one? Emerging from the tree on the left with its mouth ajar and tongue extended?  Ready to eat your lunch! Actually it's the shadow of the tree seen below on a trail yesterday/Photo by Patricia Leslie
This is the real "dinosaur" whose branches are shadowed in the first picture above, scenery from yesterday's walk in the park at Great Falls/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A-hiking we will go, a-hiking we will go!  Hi, ho, the derry-o, a hiking we did go with the Sierra Club yesterday at Great Falls National Park/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Attention, Dog: Where is your common courtesy? One-lane or single-file is necessary at this stretch in Great Falls National Park where dogs must give way to oncoming traffic, too/Photo by Patricia Leslie
These roots along a trail at Great Falls National Park are worse than the ones you see growing on human heads, and these cause stumbles. Look like petrified snakes to me. That's the Potomac River out there/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Now this is what I call natural support, found at Great Falls National Park/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Sierra Club hike leader John McShane got pricked by this varmint pretending to be a plant at Great Falls National Park.  "Yowee," he kind of screeched when he touched it. (Why did he touch it? To show us not to touch it?) The name of the plant was something like, Grizzly Needles. Speaking of ground (and tree) nuisances, abundant poison ivy and other invasive species of plants were in full "bloom," perhaps brought over from our friends across the Atlantic. Thanks, friends from across the Atlantic! Please take these back home.  Mr. McShane said they cost parks big bucks/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Stendahl's The Red and The Black which was published almost 200 years ago (1830) may be the reasons these trees are named "Red Oak" on the left, and "Black Oak" on the right, Mr. McShane said, identified by their different barks which are quite similar but after a brief study, even a novice like me could see differences. I hope Great Falls National Park is going to host a big bicentennial birthday bash for The Red and the Black which, after all, stand not too far from the intersection we passed that in 1814 James and Dolley Madison crossed when they fled the British advancing on Washington. The Madisons took the high road, and the British (they likely brought over some of those nasty invasive plants), the low road/Photo by Patricia Leslie
These rocks in Great Falls National Park are, no doubt, covered by water from time to time, but yesterday, they were covered by hundreds of human feet, clobbered by the rocks/Photo by Patricia Leslie
I guess the man is too old to know how to read. The sign says "Danger Boat launching, swimming, WADING, and alcoholic beverages PROHIBITED Treacherous waterfall downstream."  Several people have died at the park, misled by the calm surface which hides "alligators" underneath to carry visitors away/Photo by Patricia Leslie
We did have lots of fun, we did have lots of fun, hi-ho, the derry-o, we did have lots of fun at Great Falls National Park.  Thanks, John and Larry!/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Beautiful scenery from an overlook at Great Falls National Park. Absent (glory be!): boaters, kayakers, canoers, and swimmers/Photo by Patricia Leslie

Another view from the overlook which looks towards the District of Columbia/Photo by Patricia Leslie

It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood, perfect for kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a leisurely four-mile Sierra Club hike (which actually turned out to be 3.5 miles or 3.7 miles, depending upon whose web counter was doing the talking or rather, the measuring).

A group of 21 mostly strangers met Saturday at the crowded Great Falls National Park  to relish the sights and sounds of the falls and the trail, and be out in the woods.  Nature, you know, and the glory of all its benefits, recounted by hike leader John McShane reading from the writings of the Club's founder, John Muir. 


(At the rear of the pack, Larry Broadwell was "the sweeper," to keep us "in line." Both leaders, outstanding in their roles. Applause.)


It was that kind of a beautiful day. Everybody, out and about, including members of Rolling Thunder at the park.

The hike was described in the posting as "easy to moderate" but when you're talking and admiring the scenery, my, how time does fly. 

No snakes! But a (likely) volunteer was spotted, picking up small bits of litter along the trail.


We were lucky that Mr. McShane knew so much about trees, snakes, leaves, and roots!  Not only did we get a walk, but we got welcome lessons in nature. 

It was a crowded park, yes, but maybe, it's always like that.

It took me at least 20 minutes (someone else said, 35) to wait in the car to make it through the gate (cost is $15/carload unless you have a senior pass).  When the hike ended two hours later and I exited the park, I counted 108 drivers waiting to get through the gate. (Two-lane road; no room for expansion.  Save the trees!)  

Sierra Club hikes are highly recommended.  You don't have to be a Sierra Club member to participate ($2/person is requested to hike but is not mandatory, and no one takes a listing of who pays and who doesn't).

But, if you are interested in joining, it's only $15 for new members to join the Sierra Club's Great Falls Group which you may do here and go here for a list of upcoming area outings which vary in length and degree of difficulty.

Benefits, galore!

patricialesli@gmail.com

Join us for morning hike along the Potomac River including stops at the spectacular overlooks and a discussion of some of the common trees in the area. DISTANCE--approximately 4 miles; PACE--easy to moderate; SURFACE--mostly flat, natural trails. Some sections of the trail are very muddy so wear sturdy boots. We will meet In the open area directly below the visitors center at 9:45AM to sign waiver. We will leave at 10AM sharp and return at 12 Noon. Facilities: there are restrooms in the visitor's center.Parking: there is plenty of parking at the visitors center. Fee: $15/car park entrance fee (unless someone in the car has a National Parks Pass). SCPRO appreciates a donation of $2 per person to support our many volunteer-led activities and leader training. You will be able join the hike even if youre unable to donate. You can become a Sierra Club member by clicking join on the Virginia Sierra Club website: http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia Level: Moderate
Cost: There is a $15/car park entrance fee (unless someone in the car has a National Parks Pass). SCPRO appreciates a donation of $2 per person to support our many volunteer-led activities and leader training. You will be able join the hike even if youre unable to donate. You can become a Sierra Club member by clicking join on the Virginia Sierra Club website: http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia

Friday, March 2, 2018

Take a hike in winter on Gerry Connolly's Cross County Trail


Ain't it a beaut?  Even in winter. That's the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in Fairfax County/Photo by Patricia Leslie


Through the woods we go!/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Yeeks!  It was deer hunting season where deer slayers can kill deer in the park!  Poor little deer.  The season has ended already/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Roots, roots everywhere as they reach for room and water/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Pavement in a park? Baa humbug/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Evidence existed that big beavers with big, precision teeth liked the surroundings, too/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Yonder above stood civilization/Photo by Patricia Leslie
What's this growing on the tree?/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Oh, no!  Trees get tumors, too, but they are not like mammalian tumors, but, according to a New York Times' article, they are held in place by cell walls and caused by a virus, bacteria, or fungus stemming from injury.  In other words, they look worse than they are /Photo by Patricia Leslie
My hair in the morning (if I had this much)/Photo by Patricia Leslie
At night, she's a tap dancer/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Yonder there! What looks to be...hunters!/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A hiking we will go, a hiking we will go, hi ho the derry o, we are not... cold/Photo by Patricia Leslie
A girl and her dog is ever the pleasantest thing/Photo by Patricia Leslie
He wore University of Tennessee orange to ward off the hunters/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Look!  Even on the trail!  Free eatins' and lots of iron! You try them first/Photo by Patricia Leslie
Ain't it gawgus? And see those tire marks?  This was before the big rains but you get the picture: Trump is right: We live in a swamp/Photo by Patricia Leslie


On a warm (relatively speaking) winter's Saturday afternoon, friends and I hiked a wee portion of the 40+ miles long Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail in Fairfax County which extends from one end of the county to the other. 


Who needs a car?

We hiked about two miles roundtrip on the Difficult Run Stream Valley Trail portion, beginning at the intersection of Leesburg Pike and Colvin Run Road. (Parking at the "septic site" (?) at the intersection at Colvin Run is easier than parking at the mill up the hill since there's nowhere to walk safely on the street to reach the trail from the mill, but their cars are nicer than mine, and just to be on the "safe side," they parked upstream. )



We had not gone far on our little venture until we found a sign announcing we were in the middle of deer hunting season which was a mite disconcerting until an important Fairfax County official told me later that hunters have been taking out precious deer for a long time on the trail, and this practice was nothing new. (I declare if you live long enough you can learn something new every day.)


Besides, deer hunters don't come out until dusk when the deer come out (!), so we had no reason to worry. That the trail weaves in and around neighborhoods still makes for some consternation, but being that Fairfax County residents are not known for silence when it comes to matters of controversy (or any matters, for that matter), I suppose this is not a controversial matter since you never hear about it, the little deer being slayed. (If it doesn't bother them, it surely doesn't bother me, especially since I don't even live there!)

With the curves, rocks, roots, dogs, soggy conditions, streams, talks and scenery, we non-runners completed our short hike in about 90 minutes. 


Why is the trail named after Congressman Gerry Connolly?  Glad you wondered.  He is considered the father of the trail since he essentially started it 19 years ago (pre-Congress), working on it years and years and years until the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors decided to call it after him.  And then he quit.  Just kidding!

The trail is part of the East Coast Greenway which stretches from Maine all the way to Key West, and on it, they recycle, using plastic and fiberglass for all the signs. Glorify!


So, take a hike in winter! A delightful way to spend a Saturday afternoon getting some exercise and enjoying the outdoors with friends at no cost! (A cheap date.)

What:  The Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail


When:  Not at dusk during deer hunting season

Where: Fairfax County

How much:  It's free!  (The Fairfax County Park Foundation welcomes donations.)

patricialesli@gmail.com

Monday, November 26, 2012

Thanksgiving at Great Falls Park

Great Falls Park, McLean, VA, Thanksgiving Day 2012/Patricia Leslie


About half of Northern Virginia (or what seemed like) turned out to walk off pumpkin pie at Great Falls Park on Thanksgiving Day.  It was a beautiful day in the neighborhood with temperature soaring to 60 degrees, and the sun shining brightly.  How many more days like it do we have this season?
 
Plus, two kayakers were on the water to give onlookers a free show which earned the performers hearty applause and a standing ovation. 

At Great Falls Park on Thanksgiving Day, two kayakers turned out to give onlookers a thrill/Patricia Leslie
 
They cruised down the Potomac until reaching the falls where they stopped a minute to let the audience catch its breath/Patricia Leslie
 
They plotted strategy/Patricia Leslie
 
 
And plotted some more.../Patricia Leslie
 
Blue gets ready to make a flying leap while Green waits in the background/Patricia Leslie
 
Blue ponders the meaning of life/Patricia Leslie
 
Wait!  What's this? Sufferin' succotash!  Greenie snuck by us all, and there he is at the bottom!/Patricia Leslie
 
Back up at the top, Blue gets ready to go over.  Dear Blue:  It's too late to turn around/Patricia Leslie
 
There he goes/Patricia Leslie
 
"Ahoy, matey!  We made it!"/Patricia Leslie
 
Onlookers applaud the Potomac Olympians/Patricia Leslie
 
Meanwhile, back on the Patowmack Canal Trail, the passing lane is a mite overcrowded.  Even a dog has a hard time getting by/Patricia Leslie
 
 

But these four Mallards have plenty of room on their double date/Patricia Leslie
 
And so does the ? A Demoiselle Crane?/Patricia Leslie
 
Fun and dangerous games on the Potomac at Great Falls Park.  "Daddy, when is my turn?"/Patricia Leslie
 
/Patricia Leslie