Baxter - Best Easy Day Hikes Washington, D.C.

Best Easy Day Hikes Series

Best Easy Day Hikes Washington, D.C.

Louise S. Baxter

Copyright 2011 by Morris Book Publishing, LLC

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Maps by Design Maps Inc. Morris Book Publishing, LLC

Layout: Kevin Mak

Project editor: Gregory Hyman

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

ISBN 978-1-4930-0575-8

The author and Globe Pequot Press assume no liability for accidents happening to, or injuries sustained by, readers who engage in the activities described in this book.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to my friends, who gave me great ideas for hikes and supported me throughout this process. A special thanks to my brother, Craig, who has always believed in me. I want to express my great appreciation for the National Park Service, Virginia State Parks, and private preservation organizations that do a wonderful job of making sure that we understand the importance, historically and environmentally, of the parklands they protect. It is because of them that we will enjoy these areas for years to come.

Introduction

Washington, D.C., is a designed city, mostly urban and residential, without a lot of wild areas. That said, however, there are many opportunities for hiking and getting back to nature. The citys biggest park, Rock Creek Park, has many trails and outdoor activities. The C&O Canal begins its 185-mile run in Georgetown and a towpath follows the entire route; and the Potomac River is flanked with walking trails on the Washington, D.C.; Maryland; and Virginia sides. Being the nations capital means that much of the land here is federally owned and protected for monuments and memorials, and for environmental preserves. Part of the city is built on what was once swampland, so water plays a big part in the natural ecosystem of the area. Marshes and wetlands abound along the river.

Washington, D.C., was designed on a grid system, with lettered streets running eastwest and numbered streets running northsouth. The US Capitol is the center of the city and from it four sections are created: Northwest (NW), Southwest (SW), Northeast (NE), and Southeast (SE). Thats why every address in Washington has one of these suffixes on it. To make things more interesting, however, diagonal avenues named for states pierce through the grid, creating squares and circles. But what the city loses in easy navigation it gains in beauty, as many of these squares and circles provide opportunities to honor history and make some green space. Ironically, the city was designed this way to prevent enemy armies from finding easy access to important buildings. The British, however, in 1814, had no trouble getting in and burning both the White House and the US Capitol. So the plan really only serves to confuse those trying to get around today. Best advice: Carry a good map and be patient.

Weather

Washington, D.C., is in the mid-Atlantic region, which has a humid climate. The area is known for its hot and sticky summers and, generally, mild winters, with roughly a foot of snow accumulated through the season. While every hike in this book can be done throughout the year, spring and fall usually offer comfortable temperatures and are the ideal times for hiking. In summer try to walk in the morning or evening. Trails, especially those that follow the river or the canal, can get buggy, so bring insect repellent. The sun can be strong too, even in winter, so wear sunscreen on trails that are out in the open. These hikes are designed for all levels of ability; generally a good pair of sneakers is enough to navigate the trails.

Traffic

The Washington, D.C. metro area boasts some of the worst traffic in the country! That said, its still a great place to live and visit. Just be aware and plan a little extra time to get around. Also, many roads have strict rush-hour restrictions on weekdays, except major holidaysin particular I-66, Canal Road, and Rock Creek Parkway.