Pay close attention, because at one of the curves it is possible to continue straight while the Valley Trail actually curves around to the right. Both come out at Bluff Bridge, but the official route is along the hikers-only trail. The terrain directly north of Blagden remains moderately hilly, but nothing like the terrain south of the road. The trail continues north along Beach from Joyce Road to Bingham Drive. States: District of Columbia. Photos of Rock Creek Park - 42 Trail Run Project is built by runners like you. The Meadowlink Trail is C-shaped, so it heads west, curves north, and then returns east, intersecting once again with the Valley Trail about a tenth of a mile up ahead. The Natural Communities map layer is turned on as the default setting of the Map Viewer. Washington DC's Rock Creek Trail is a collection of paved multi-use paths and on-road bike route. Although this area is mostly urbanized, the trail follows a mainly wooded route along the Rock Creek Stream Valley. This is 3.5 miles from the parking lot, the halfway point on the hike. Including the other green areas the park administers (Glover Archbold Park, Montrose Park, Dumbarton Oaks Park, Meridian Hill Park, Battery Kemble Park, Palisades Park, Whitehaven Park, etc. Taking a right puts you on the Boundary Trail, which leads north to Grubb Road. Length: 8.5 miles. Let’s take a stroll around this gorgeous trail hidden in the middle of the city. In fact, this is the only overgrown stretch of trail that I encountered in the entire Rock Creek Park. This map layer covers every part … Keep your dog leashed at all times to protect both your pet and park wildlife. Don't rely on trail signs, as there are not many out there. The strenuous trail, which I took, is really more straight ahead than to the left, and by strenuous, the sign is not referring to an extremely hilly trail, but to the treacherous terrain that lies ahead. The White Rock Creek/Lake Trail is without question both the longest and the most heavily-used trail in North Texas. 5. The Shoreline section along the Potomac is the oldest section of the trail, built before 1967. The Valley Trail eventually dead ends at a T-intersection. The 5.5 mile Valley Trail offers a variety of rocky, technical singletrack and smooth horse trail for runners and hikers alike. The path to the left fizzles out a hundred yards farther down. There are two ways to get there. Posted on Jan 23, 2013. Time: 4.5 hours Rock Creek Park is not an enclosed park with an entrance gate, so the roads that run through it are public streets. By this point the Valley Trail is as flat as a pancake, and it also widens quite a bit. If you start at the southern terminus as I did, park at Picnic Area #1 next to Peirce Mill. The northern trail head is located in Lake Needwood Regional Park… Trail Stats Among its 1,754 acres, Rock Creek has over 20 miles of dirt trails. You are bound to brush up against vegetation, so watch out for ticks. You can divide the trail into two sections, the Southern section, which is it’s own path, and the Northern section, which joins Beach Drive. There are two more intersections that you will come to before crossing Blagden Avenue about a quarter mile past the second Meadowlink Trail intersection. There is another intersection almost immediately—stay to the left and head west. A quarter mile after passing Military Road, the jungle-like terrain disappears and the trail comes down from the ridge and runs right along the road, passing a restroom building that is open to the public. All Rights reserved.Designed by www.orange-themes.com. 6. If you get confused, just remember to stay on the wide horse trail. Below is a link to the full park map. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. The Rock Creek Trail - DC: Map of Rock Creek Trail in DC. Little Rock is known for many things (like mouthwatering BBQ) but its stunning trails usually aren’t the first thing that come to mind. It is at this point that the steep hill levels out a little. The Valley Trail does not cross it, but be sure to take the short detour to see it. Trail end points: Chestnut St. NW at Oregon Ave. NW and Rock Creek Parkway NW and Parkway Drive NW. Miller lived in the cabin back in the 1880s. The trail emerges from the forest onto Beach Drive just south of the Park Police Station. The Valley Trail is straight ahead. The Valley Trail widens near the intersection with the Holly Trail. If you plan to hike back on the Western Ridge Trail, head out to the road and you’ll see the trailhead directly across the street. Favorite places to start a hike: Nature Center … The problem with the sign is that there are no directional arrows, so it makes you believe the paved path is the Valley Trail. Trail marker on the Rock Creek trail, Kankakee River State Park. Using this principle, it is possible to create an almost infinite number of loops in varrying lengths from about 1-mile to 10-miles. After hiking a half mile from the parking lot, you finally reach Bluff Bridge. Hiker and horseback rider segment of the Valley Trail. Some sections of the trail are used for horse riding so keep an eye out for horse droppings. A narrow, unnamed trail cuts to the right and follows Rock Creek, which would seem like a likely candidate for the Valley Trail. The bridge was built in 1902 and is the location where President Theodore Roosevelt supposedly lost one of his rings. Just south of Sherrill Drive, the trail intersects with the Whittier Trail, which leads east over to 16th Street. See your initial registration email, your weekly parkrun newsletter, previous results emails, or you can request a reminder email. Cross the bridge and turn left on the multi-purpose trail. At this point you are on the Western Ridge Trail and need to hike another quarter mile to reach the start of the Valley Trail. The trail sign at the Meadowlink intersection is also a little confusing. After walking a little further, the path takes you to a much more open area with a paved path. Natural Communities map layer Shows the location and extent of the eight different natural communities in Rock Creek Park. Recently Updated However, you can’t see much these days due to the trees that now block the view. Once on the horse trail, the terrain levels out and the trail surface is as smooth as a baby’s bottom, with a few exceptions here and there. from Orchard Park to Rock Creek Park at NW Rock Creek Blvd.. View amenities, descriptions, reviews, photos, itineraries, and directions on TrailLink. The moderate trail proceeds up to and follows a ridge above the strenuous trail, and the two parallel each other until merging back together near the Bluff Bridge at the very end of the Western Ridge Trail. Prior to the intersection is a great view of some cascades on Rock Creek. (An additional 1.5 mile trail segment extends south from Rock Creek Park into the City of Hillsboro.) The next point of interest is Boulder Bridge, which is just around a bend in the river, 2.5 miles into the hike. At this point the Valley Trail narrows considerably and remains so for the next half mile. Cross the street and follow the worn path that runs along Rock Creek until you get to Joyce Road. Although this area is mostly urbanized, the trail follows a mainly wooded route along the Rock Creek stream valley. I would not recommend this section during the week. The multi-purpose trail passes over the bridge from the other side and continues south all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. The Valley Trail temporarily veers away from the water and begins an uphill climb deeper into the forest. For the next quarter mile the Valley Trail runs parallel to Parkside Drive, then slowly drifts away from it, leaving the traffic noise far behind. This follows Rock Creek all the way back to the picnic area. Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation's capital. At 5.3 miles into the hike is the intersection with a short trail that leads to the Riley Springs Bridge. The newest opening of phase V meanders along Brushy Creek for an out and back 1 mile trek just west of Chisholm Trail Road in Round Rock. I’m not sure what this is, but there were a lot of mills along Rock Creek, so maybe this is … This was the first time in a while that I was hiking in silence, and I began to wonder if I made the correct turn. Ecological Systems map layer Shows the location and extent of the four ecological systems in Rock Creek Park. Across the street is Picnic Area #6 and the Miller Cabin. It is about 5 miles back to Peirce Mill. For the next mile you have an uninterrupted hike along Beach Drive and Rock Creek. I hiked from the southern terminus near Peirce Mill to the northern terminus near Boundary Bridge. At the 1.75-mile mark on the hike is the intersection with the Theodore Roosevelt Trail. Rock Creek Trail (RCT – ~10 mi)- The most obvious and most widely used trail is simply called the “Rock Creek Trail,” which is a paved path running most of the length of the park. Stairs along the Valley Trail (looking up from the bottom). A right leads up to the road. Typical terrain of the Valley Trail at the southern end of Rock Creek Park. The Valley Trail turns to the left. In another .3 mile the trail is back along Rock Creek, but follows high above it on a ridge for a quarter mile before gradually descending back to ground level. Bring and use a map or guide. From there, hike across the field towards Rock Creek and proceed south (take a right at the creek). 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