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POPUMC Hiking GroupBelow are over 60 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. (* = Georeferenced map of this hike available on hikingproject.com): 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, Rain Date Sunday, July 7, 2019 @ 1:00 PM * Meadowood Special Recreation & Management Area, 10406 Gunston RD, Lorton, VA 22079, 703-339-8473. A nice 3.5 mile trail called the South Branch Loop. Saturday, August 3, 2019 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, August 4, 2019 @ 1:00 PM * 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, Rain Date Sunday, September 8, 2019 @ 1:00 PM
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, Rain Date Sunday, October 6, 2019 @ 1:00 PM * 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, Rain Date Sunday, November 3, 2019 @ 1:00 PM Sky Meadows State Park, 10112 Edmonds LA, Delaplane, VA 20144, 540-592-3556. Lots of trails, historic Mount Bleak House, hike to the AT. $7.00 per vehicle admission fee. Saturday, December 7, 2019 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, December 8, 2019 @ 1:00 PM * 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, Rain Date Sunday, January 5, 2020 @ 1:00PM * 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, Rain Date Sunday, February 2, 2020 @ 1:00PM 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 , Rain Date Sunday, March 8, 2020 @ 1:00PM Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Trail, 21293 Smiths Switch RD, Ashburn, VA 20147, 703-729-0596. 45 miles long from Arlington to Purcellville, VA. We will do the westernmost 3.9 miles. Click Here for a Distance Calculator. Saturday, April 4, 2020@ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, April 5, 2020 @ 1:00 PM* 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, Rain Date Sunday, May 3, 2020 @ 1:00PM 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, Rain Date Sunday, June 7, 2020 @ 1:00PM 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, Rain Date Sunday, July 5, 2020 @ 1:00PM 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 1, 2020 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, August 2, 2020 @1:00 PM* Please note that I will be out of town the first two weeks of August so we will need to get a hike leader for this hike. 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, Rain Date Sunday, September 6, 2020 @ 1:00PM 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 3, 2020 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, October 4, 2020 @ 1:00PM * 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, Rain Date Sunday, November 8, 2020 @ 1:00PM 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, Rain Date Sunday, December 6, 2020 @ 1:00PM * 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. We'll start where the AT leaves SNP. Click Here for a distance calculator. Saturday, March 6, 2021 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, March 7, 2021 @ 1:00 PM* 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 part of the new Neabsco Regional Park as well as part of the Potomac Herritage Trail It connects Rippon Lodge Park and Julie Metz Wetlands. We'll probably do a 3 mile loop consisting of the boardwalk, Blackburn RD, US1 and Neabsco RD. 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. I may be able to get us a group pass for this one. 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 start by doing from the Occoquan River to Pohick RD. Click Here for a distance calculator. 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 3.1 mile linear hike between Compton RD just W of the I66 and Sully Park DR near Deer Pond RD. We will hike the Cub Run South and Cub Run East Trails. There are still other trails in this area for future hikes. 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 7 mile linear trail that goes from Lake Ridge Marina to the Town of Occoquan, VA. We may do half of this one. 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, a .5 mile Yellow Trail, the Bluebell Trail as well as the southern terminus of the Cross County 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 Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, 12619 Yates Ford RD, Clifton, VA, 703-250-9124. We'll be doing a 3.8 mile loop that incorporates some of their trails as well as the Bull Run Occoquan Trail. 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. Only about 1 mile of trails there now. Hopefully, they'll have some more 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. Government Island Park, 191 Coal Landing RD, Stafford, VA 22554. About 1.5 miles of trail at each park. They are less than 8 miles apart. 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 $10 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 Silver Lake Park,16198 Silver Lake RD, Haymarket, VA 20169, 703-792-7060. Nice 4 mile loop trail here. Saturday, June 3, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, June 4, 2023 @ 1:00 PM 12/02/2018 Trip Log of This Hike 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 Saturday, July 1, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, July 2, 2023 @ 1:00 PM 03/03/2018 Trip Log of This Hike 01/01/2019 Trip Log of This Hike* Leopold's Preserve, Throughfare RD, Haymarket, VA 20169. Another 4 mile loop trail around a development but in the woods. Saturday, August 5, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, August 6, 2023 @ 1:00 PM 01/05/2019 Trip Log of This Hike * Holmes Run Trail, Between Columbia PK, Baileys Crossroads, VA and Eisenhower AVE, Alexandria, VA. This is a 4.2 mile linear 'urban' hike that goes through areas that some of us grew up in. Saturday, September 2, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, September 3, 2023 @ 1:00 PM Four Mile Run / W&OD Trail Loop, Arlington, VA. The Four Mile Run and W&OD Trails run on opposite sides of Four Mile Run for a good stretch in Arlington, VA. We should be able to carve out a 4-5 mile loop along these 2 trails. Saturday, October 7, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, October 8, 2023 @ 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, a 3.5 and a 4.5 mile loop and had coffee at Dunkin Doughnuts at the end of the hike. We'll do what everyone agrees to. Saturday, November 4, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, November 5, 2023 @ 1:00 PM 02/02/2019 Trip Log of This Hike Vint Hill Loop Trail, Kennedy RD, Warrenton, VA 22186. I used to walk this 3 mile loop trail when I worked at Vint Hill. Remnants of the former military base are still present. Saturday, December 2, 2023 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, 3, 2023 @ 1:00 PM Bull Run Occoquan Trail. We'll start at the western terminus within Bull Run Regional Park and hike to VA28. Only 1.7 miles. Click Here for a distance calculator. .Monday, January 1, 2024 @ 1:00 PM Warrenton Branch Greenway and Extensions, 800 Waterloo RD, Warrenton, VA 22186, 540-349-2520. An easy 3.6 miles between downtown Warrenton and Lord Fairfax Community College Warrenton Campus. Saturday, January 6, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, January 7, 2024 @ 1:00 PM Maryland Heights Trail, 613-699 Harpers Ferry Rd, Knoxville, MD 21758 MD, 304-535-6029. A difficult but very scenic and historic 4.5 or 6.5 mile trail overlooking Harpers Ferry, WV. Allow 3-4 hours for this one. Saturday, February 3, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, February 4, 2024 #64; 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, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, March 3, 2024 @ 1:00 PM * 03/02/2019 Trip Log of This Hike Crows Nest Natural Area Preserve, 81 Raven RD, Stafford, VA 22554, 804-786-7951. There are about 8 miles of trails here. Saturday, April 6, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, April 7, 2024@ 1:00 PM Riverside Preserve, 8150 Leeds Manor Rd Marshall, VA 20115. This preserve opened in early 2019 and is the only public access to the Rappahannock River in Faquier County, VA. More info to follow. Saturday, May 4, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, May 5, 2024 @ 1:00 PM C.F. Phelps Wildlife Management Area, Summerduck, VA 22742. This one is mostly dirt roads but is nice hiking when it is not hunting season. Access permit required. Saturday, June 1, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, June 2, 2024 @ 1:00 PM Curtis Memorial Park / Lake Curtis, 58 Jesse Curtis Ln. Hartwood, VA 22406, 540-658-5114. I have to research this one more. Access permit may be required. Saturday, June 1, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, June 2, 2024 @ 1:00 PM Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point RD, Lorton, VA 22079, 703-339-2385. 7 miles of trails here. $10 entrance fee per vehicle. Saturday, July 6, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, July 7, 2024 @ 1:00 PM * 04/06/2019 Trip Log of This Hike Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, 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, August 3, 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, August 4, 2024 @ 1:00 PM * 05/04/2019 Trip Log of This Hike Motts Run Reservoir Recreation Area, 6600 River Road, Fredericksburg, VA 22401, 540-786-8989. 5 miles of trails, nice. I'll plug this one in further up the list in the future. Pohick Bay Regional Park, 6501 Pohick Bay DR, Lorton, VA 22079, 703-339-6104. We'll do the 2 mile blue trail and the 1 mile white trail here here. $8.00 entrance fee per vehicle. Saturday, , 2024 @ 8:00 AM, Rain Date Sunday, , 2024 @ 1:00 PM * 06/01/2019 Trip Log of This Hike Another section of the Potomac Heritage Trail Another section of the W&OD Trail Another section of the Bull Run / Occoquan Trail Another section of the Appalachian Trail 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. |
