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POPUMC Hiking GroupThe POPUMC Hiking Group was started in January, 2018. We do day hikes the first Saturday of each month along with New Years Day. The benefits of hiking include: Below are over 50 suggested day hikes that are between 2 and 5 miles, roughly within an hour of POPUMC and are mostly easy to moderate in terms of difficulty. We're open to suggestions and alternative hikes as well as additional hike leaders. We'll also try to avoid areas where hunting is allowed for safety's sake. If enough people are interested we can even do a hike in the middle of the week. With the exception of New Years Day all hikes will occur on the first Saturday of the month. We will meet at the POPUMC parking lot at 8:00 AM (with the exception of New Years Day and any Sunday rain dates being 1:00 PM) and carpool to a given hike. All are welcome to join us on these hikes: Silver Lake Park,16198 Silver Lake RD, Haymarket, VA 20169, 703-792-7060. Nice 4 mile loop trail here. Saturday, December 1, 2018 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, December 2, 2018 @ 1:00 PM Andrew Leitch Park, 5301 Dale BLVD, Dale City, VA 22193, 703-792-7060. This is probably the closest hiking trail to POP. You can either do a loop trail of about 2 miles or a 3.5 mile linear hike between Princedale DR and either Mapledale, Lindendale or Roundtree DR and stage a vehicle at each end. This may be part of the future Neabsco Greenway Tuesday, January 1, 2019 @ 1:00 PM 03/03/2018 Trip Log of This Hike Leopold's Preserve, Haymarket, VA 20169. Another 4 mile loop trail around a development but in the woods. Saturday, January 5, 2019 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, January 6, 2019 @ 1:00 PM Broad Run Trail, Bristow, VA 20136, 703-792-7060. You can make numerous loops and linear hikes out of this 5 mile trail that will be expanded in the future. I have done a 2 and a 3.5 mile loop and had coffee at Dunkin Doughnuts at the end of the hike. Saturday, February 2, 2019 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, February 3, 2019 @ 1:00 PM Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 13950 Dawson Beach RD, Woodbridge, VA 22191, 703-490-4979. A former government facility that did electromagnetic pulse testing, this pristine environment hosts many migrating birds. 4 miles of trails, $2.00 per vehicle admission fee. Saturday, March 2, 2019 @ 8:00 AM Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point RD, Lorton, VA 22079, 703-339-2385. 7 miles of trails here. $5-7 entrance fee per vehicle. Saturday, April 6, 2019 @ 8:00 AM Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, 17405 Beverly Mill DR, Haymarket, VA 20137, 703-753-2631. Nice views, old structures and a good 4 mile loop trail. Sorry, but no dogs allowed on these trails. Saturday, May 4, 2019 @ 8:00 AM Pohick Bay Regional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay DR, Lorton, VA 22079, 703-339-6104. Various loops that can be combined for a nice hike. $8.00 entrance fee per vehicle. Saturday, June 1, 2019 @ 8:00 AM Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox RD, Fairfax Station, VA 22039, 703-323-6600. A 4.7 mile loop around the lake. There is an $8.00 vehicle entrance fee to this park. Saturday, July 6, 2019 @ 8:00 AM Meadowood Special Recreation & Management Area, Lorton, VA 22079. A nice 3.5 mile trail called the South Branch Loop. Saturday, August 3, 2019 @ 8:00 AM Tour 2 Civil War Forts- Cannon Branch (Union) Earthwork Fort, 10611 Gateway BLVD, Manassas, VA 20110 and Mayfield (Confererate) Earthwork Fort, 8401 Quarry RD, Manassas, VA 20110. About a half mile walk at each site. Saturday, September 7, 2019 @ 8:00 AM Whitney State Forest, Lees Ridge RD, Warrenton, VA 22186, 804-492-4121. Over 7 miles of trails. Located south of Warrenton, VA. Saturday, October 5, 2019 @ 8:00 AM C.M. Crockett Park, 10066 Rogues RD, Midland, VA 22728, 540-422-8870. About 3 miles of trails. $7.00 per vehicle entrance fee. Added bonus: John Marshall Park 1.3 mile hike close by. Saturday, November 2, 2019 Sky Meadows State Park, 10112 Edmonds LA, Delaplane, VA 20144, 540-592-3556. Lots of trails, historic Mount Bleak House, hike to the AT. $5.00 per vehicle admission fee. Saturday, December 7, 2019 @ 8:00 AM Your Choice- For New Years Day 2020 we can either do a 2-3 mile loop in Manassas National Battlefield Park, Prince William Forest Park or we can join one of the many other First Day Hikes in the area. Wednesday, January 1, 2020 @ 1:00 PM or what ever time another First Day Hike starts. South Run District Park, 7550 Reservation DR, Springfield, VA 22153, 703-866-0566. A nice 4.3 mile mostly loop trail along the South Run Stream Valley. Saturday, January 4, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods RD, Leesburg, VA 20175, 703-777-0343. 695 acres along Goose Creek in Loudoun County. Lots of short trails that can be combined. Saturday, February 1, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, 11661 Harpers Ferry RD, Purcellville, VA 20132, 540-668-7640. 900+ acre preserve, lots of trails, this may be a future VA state park. Saturday, March 7, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail, 21293 Smiths Switch RD, Ashburn, VA 20147, 703-729-0596. 45 miles long from Arlington to Purcellville, VA but we can hike a short section. Click Here for a Distance Calculator. Saturday, April 4, 2020@ 8:00 AM Doves Landing Park, 9307 Doves LA, Manassas, VA 20112, 703-792-7060 .This one is about 3.2 miles and is a large loop near the confluence of Broad Run and Cedar Creek which then becomes the Occoquan River. Saturday, May 02, 2020 @ 8:00 AM 02/03/2018 Trip Log of This Hike James S. Long Regional Park, 4603 James Madison HWY, Haymarket, VA 20169, 703-792-7060. 4 miles of trails and various loops available to hike. Saturday, June 6th, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Connector Trail between Silver Lake and James S. Long Parks. An up and back hike along a 2 mile stretch of trail that will be part of the future Catharpin Greenway 9 mile circuit. Saturday, July 4th, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park RD, Springfield, VA 22150, 703-569-3464. A very nice 3.8 mile hike around the lake. As of 6-23-2018 the Fairfax County Park Authority is considering reverting this lake back to a stream. Saturday, August 1st, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestal's Gap Road, Sterling, VA 20164, 571-258-3700. About 10 miles of trails in this park. We'll pick a nice loop for you. A 05-02-2018 article on wtop.com stated that the future of this park may be in peril after 12-21-2018. Saturday, September 5th, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Lake Fairfax Park, VA, 1400 Lake Fairfax DR, Reston, VA 20190, 703-471-5414. A lot of trails, not a lot of documentation. I'll have a route planned by hike time. Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Gilbert's Corner Regional Park, 23557 Watson RD, Leesburg, VA 20175, 703-327-9777. Not a lot of info on this new park. Hopefully, they will have a trail map available by the time that we get to this one. Saturday, November 7th, 2020 @ 8:00 AM Prince William Forest Park, 18170 Park Entrance RD, Triangle, VA 22172, 703-221-7181. We will do a 5 mile loop consisting of: A portion of the Laurel Loop Trail- about .5 miles, A portion of the South Valley Trail- about .2 miles, North Orenda RD- 1 mile, A portion of Pyrite Mine RD- about .5 miles, Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine Trail- .4 miles, A portion of the North Valley Trail- about .7 miles, A portion of the South Valley Trail- about 1.2 miles, A portion of the Laurel Loop Trail- about .5 miles, A total of about 5 miles. New entrance fee of $10.00 per car to the park. Saturday, December 5, 2020 @ 8:00 AM George Helwig Memorial Park, 14488 Bristow RD, Manassas, VA 20112, 703-792-7060. This one is only a mile but since it will be cold, that will be sufficient. We could do it twice to make 2 miles. Friday, January 1, 2021 @ 1:00 PM Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge, High Point and Gunston RDS, Lorton, VA 22079, 703-490-4979. There are a couple 3 mile trails that we can explore. Saturday, January 2, 2021 @8:00 AM Manassas National Battlefield Park, 12521 Lee HWY, Manassas, VA 20109, 703-361-1339. Over 40 miles of hiking trails. We will be doing the battle of Second Manassas Loop, which is rated at 6.6 miles. But I think that we can shave it down to about 5 miles. Saturday, February 6, 2021 @ 8:00 AM 04/08/2018 Trip Log of The Battle of First Manassas Hike Appalachian Trail in Northern Virginia. Distance and location TBD. Saturday, March 6, 2021 @ 8:00 AM Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney RD, Chantilly, VA 20151, 703-631-0013. About 4 miles of trails. We can do a loop here that is about 3 miles. Saturday, April 3, 2021@ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, April 4, 2021 @ 1:00 PM Locust Shade Park, 4701 Locust Shade DR, Triangle, VA 22172, 703-792-7060. A nice 4 mile loop here that can be shortened if one likes. Saturday, May 1, 2021 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, May 2, 2021 @ 1:00 PM 05/05/2018 Trip Log of This Hike Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, Woodbridge, VA. This 1 mile boardwalk is currently under construction (as of May, 2018). As part of the Potomac Herritage Trail, it will connect Rippon Lodge Park and Julie Metz Wetlands. We'll figure out a good hike utilizing this new bridge before the hike date. Saturday, June 5, 2021 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, June 6, 2021 @ 1:00 PM Merrimac Farm WMA, 15014 Deepwood LA, Nokesville, VA 20181, 703-499-4954. Two 1 mile trails here that form a nice hike. 301 acres. Each hiker will need either a VA DGIF day pass, fishing, hunting or trapping license to get in. Click/Tap Here for more info. Saturday, July 3, 2021 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, July 4, 2018 @ 1:00 PM Cross County Trail, 12055 Government Center PKWY, Fairfax, VA 22035, 703-324-8702. A 40 mile trail bisecting Fairfax County from north to south. We'll pick a nick 2.5 to 5 mile linear section to hike. If we're lucky we may even be able to find a loop hike of some sort for this one. Saturday, August 7, 2021 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, August 8, 2021 @ 1:00 PM Cub Run Stream Valley Trail, 12055 Government Center PKWY, Fairfax, VA 22035, 703-324-8702. A 2.5 mile linear hike between US29 W of Centreville to Compton RD just W of the I66 overpass. Only 2.5 miles. Saturday, September 4, 2021 @ 8:00 AM , Rain Date Sunday, September 5, 2021 @ 1:00 PM Rocky Run Stream Valley Trail, 12055 Government Center PKWY, Fairfax, VA 22035, 703-324-8702. A 3.4 mile linear hike between Ellanor C Lawrence Park and the Fairfax County PKWY near Monument DR. Saturday, October 2, 2021 @ 8:00 AM , Rain Date Sunday, October 3, 2021 @ 1:00 PM WARF Trail System, 800 Waterloo RD, Warrenton, VA 20186, 540-349-2520. A series of loops surrounding the Warrenton Aquatic & Recreation Facility. About 3 miles. Saturday, November 6, 2021 @ 8:00 AM , Rain Date Sunday, October 7, 2021 @ 1:00 PM Laurel Hill Park, 8320 Laurel Crest DR, Lorton, VA 22079, 703-324-8702. On the site of the former DC Prison at Lorton, this park has open meadows and numerous trails to hike. Saturday, December 4, 2021 @ 8:00 AM , Rain Date Sunday, December 5, 2021 @ 1:00 PM Occoquan Regional Park, 9751 Ox RD, Lorton, VA 22079, 703-690-2121. They have a Blue Trail and a White Trail here that are somewhere between 2 and 3 miles. Saturday, January 1, 2022 @ 1:00 PM , Rain Date Sunday, January 2, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Lake Ridge/Occoquan Greenway Trail, 14420 Bristow RD, Manassas, VA 20112, 703-792-7060. A 3.8 mile linear trail that goes from Lake Ridge Marina to the Town of Occoquan, VA, Saturday, February 5, 2022 @ 8:00 AM , Rain Date Sunday, February 6, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Ben Lomond Park, 7500 Ben Lomond Park DR, Manassas, VA 20109, 703-361-4451. 2 miles of trails here. We can also take the trail further west along Bull Run under I66 and explore within Manassas National Battlefield. Saturday, March 5, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, March 6, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run DR, Centreville, VA 20121, 703-631-0550. There is the 2.5 mile White Perimeter Trail as well as the western terminus of the Bull Run/Occoquan Trail. Saturday, April 2, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, April 3, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Scotts Run Nature Preserve, 7400 Georgetown PK, McLean, VA 22102, 703-759-9018. This one may stretch our 1 hour from POPUMC rule but there are nice views as well as a nice 2.2 mile loop trail here. Saturday, May 7, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, May 8, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills ST, Great Falls, VA 22066, 703-759-9018. I've never been here but there is a suggested 4.5 mile loop trail Here. Saturday, June 4, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, June 9, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton RD, Fairfax Station, VA 22039, 703-250-9124. Many hiking opportunities here including the eastern terminus of the Bull Run Occoquan Trail. Saturday, July 2, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, July 3, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Bull Run/Occoquan Trail, 12619 Yates Ford RD, Clifton, VA, 703-250-9124. We'll be doing a 3.8 mile loop within Hemlock Overlook Regional Park that incorporates some of their trails as well as the BR/OT. Note that this is a moderate to difficult hike. Paradise Springs Winery is right across the street. Saturday, August 6, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, August 7, 2022 @ 1:00 PM. Widewater State Park, Brent Point RD, Stafford, VA 22554, 703-730-8205. Virginia's newest state park. Hopefully, they'll have some trails laid out by the time that we get to this one. Saturday, September 3, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, September 4, 2022 @ 1:00 PM . Conway Robinson State Forest, Lee HWY, Gainesville, VA 20155, 434-977-6555. We'll do an easy 3.1 mile loop trail on this one. Saturday, October 1, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, October 2, 2022 @ 1:00 PM 07/07/2018 Trip Log of This Hike Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock RD, Annandale, VA 22003, 703-321-7081. 6.3 miles of trails here including the Cross County Trail. Saturday, November 5, 2022 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, November 6, 2022 @ 1:00 PM Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed BLVD, Alexandria, VA 22306, 703-768-2525. This is an urban wetlands with about 2.4 miles of trails that include boardwalks. Saturday, December 3, 2022@ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, December 4, 2022 @ 1:00 PM New Years Day Hike 2023, For this one we will probably join one of the many close by First Day Hikes in the area. Sunday, January 1, 2023 @ TBD Stafford Civil War Park, 400 Mt. Hope Church RD, Stafford, VA 22554, 540-685-4872. One of many new parks in Stafford County. This looks like more of a driving park than a hiking park but I will recon it beforehand. Saturday, January 7, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, January 8, 2023 @ 1:00 PM Valley View Park, 11930 Valley View DR, Nokesville, VA 20181, 703-792-7060. An easy 2.2 mile loop through the woods around the ball fields. Saturday, February 4, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, February 5, 2023 @ 1:00 PM 08/04/2018 Trip Log of This Hike Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig DR, Woodbridge, VA 22191, 703-730-8205. 2 loop trails there. 1.3 and 1.96 miles. Entrance fee of $5-9 per car. Saturday, March 4, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, March 5, 2023 @ 1:00 PM 09/01/2018 Trip Log of This Hike Bristow Station Battlefield Heritage Park Loop Trail / Brentsville Courthouse Loop Trail, 10708 Bristow RD, Bristow, VA 20136. A 2.5 mile loop trail and, as an added bonus, a 1 mile loop trail up the street behind Brentsville Courthouse. Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, April 2, 2023 @ 1:00 PM 10/06/2018 Trip Log of This Hike Nokesville Park, 12560 Aden RD, Nokesville, VA 20181, 703-792-7060. 2.5 mile loop trail around this park. Saturday, May 6, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, May 7, 2018 @ 1:00 PM 11/03/2018 Trip Log of This Hike We will start at the top of the list and go down the list the first Saturday of each month and new years day. Suggestions for additional hikes are welcome. So if you are interested in doing any of these hikes and getting on a mailing list announcing these hikes, please email me at mikecalabrese@aol.com . This schedule is subject to change. In case of inclement weather (snow, thunder storms, heavy rain, temps below freezing for the high or above 95 degrees), hikes are subject to cancellation. Watch this space for announcements. |
