Hike 31: Fraser Preserve

I tried to do this one the same afternoon as Scotts Run, but the parking situation here is REALLY ODD, so I gave up.  Basically, the gate into the camp area is locked so you have to park on a single-lane road that doesn't really have room for you to park on, go through the locked gate (sketchy, if you ask me), and then hike a mile to the trailhead on a gravel driveway.  I bailed after I tried to park and nearly fell in a ditch.

Hike 27: Mount Vernon Trail and Fort Hunt Park

Totally did not know you could hike to Mount Vernon!  From Fort Hunt Park, it's not too bad! 

 

This is a pretty straightforward multi-use trail. 

We spent some time at Mt. Vernon as well, although it was rainy and sticky humid and Mt. Vernon was under construction so we didn't linger.

Hike 30: Scotts Run Nature Preserve

This area is tucked into a little corner of Falls Church next to the Potomac. 

 

There are signs everywhere telling people not to swim, but that's pretty much completely ignored.  Most of the people on the trail with me were wearing bathing suits and the waterfall that spills into a little pool before flowing into the Potomac is filled with teenagers splashing around. 

It's actually a little obnoxious because there are a lot of remnants of drunken parties lying around what should be a beautiful area.  The trail itself is also poorly maintained on the eastern half of the preserve so you have to scrabble through a lot of brush.  But it makes things a little adventurous, I suppose.  And a little spooky...  :)

Hike 25: Holmes Run Parklands

I did this hike while Chris was out of town and ventured into Virginia all by myself!  :)  This was in a area near Alexandria.  You start near Duke Street in a parking area behind a library.  You cross a bridge onto the walking trail to Holmes Run Greenway. 

 The directions in the book are actually really confusing so I didn't follow them.  I just followed the trail all the way to downtown Alexandria.  It's quite scenic, but there isn't a lot of shade once you get to the part of the trail that parallels the driving road.