Last weekend I did a 9-mile hike in the woods, along a creek for much of the way. I heard woodpeckers and the rustle of small four legged creatures scurrying away at the sound of footfalls. And the entire hike was in Washington, D.C.
What a lot of people don't realize about the nation's capital is that a stone's throw from the marble and granite monuments is enough park to get lost in. It's called Rock Creek Park. This hike started from a Metro station, where the Capital Hiking Club met up on a Saturday morning. Lots of people arrived alone.
After a two-block walk north on Connecticut Avenue, a major D.C. artery, we took a right turn onto a dirt path toward the Melvin Hazen Tributary of Rock Creek. The trail descended steeply and soon we were completely surrounded by tall trees.
That didn't last the whole way but we were on dirt trails for most of the hike. Part of the time we were close to a two-lane road that runs through the park, one that is closed to cars on weekends. We could see and hear the bikers, joggers, walkers and inline skaters. I'm often one of them on weekends.
At one point, I ended up talking with the woman behind me, Gretchen, originally from Belgium. That's what happens on these group things. People come alone but connect with whoever's hiking near them.
The night before, my friend and I joined the same hiking club for its monthly moonlight walk on the C&O Canal in Maryland, just outside the district. It was a beautiful night so a large crowd showed up. We trekked two miles to Great Falls. As night fell, the bright, nearly full moon appeared between tree branches. Spectacular. The group plans its hike for the Friday closest to the full moon.
We spent some time gazing at moonlight on the falls, something I'd not experienced at Great Falls before. I usually see the falls in sharp sunlight.
Back at the gravel parking area some people headed for their cars but a bunch of us crossed the road to the Old Angler's Inn. Many people who hadn't know one another before sat at outside tables chatting.
You don't have to be a member of the Capital Hiking Club to go on one of their hikes. You just show up. The day hike cost $2. The moonlight hike was free.
Washington has many clubs like this - hiking, biking, sailing and more - where you can just show up for the day and find company. Usually for free, or a nominal fee. I'll write about others from time to time.
Photos: Ellen Perlman
1. The view East from Connecticut Avenue north of Cleveland Park. Deep woods.The sign says, "Foot Trail No Horses." Yes, there also are horses and a stable in Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC!
2. The view South from steps away. The end of rush hour on Connecticut Avenue. Forested parkland so close to the urban crush.
Capital Hiking Club is a great DC area hiking group and there are many others (Northern Virginia Hikers, Sierra Club PRO, Wanderbirds...not to mention three or four meetup.com groups). On another note, I just wrote about a similar trip to Rock Creek Park: http://www.trailvoice.com/washington-dc/parks-trails/rock-creek-park-western-ridge-trail-loop-central-section. You gotta love that park!
Posted by: Ian Edlind | July 17, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Ian,
I was glad to find the club. My friend, an avid hiker, introduced me to them. And to the Northern Virginia Hiking Club and to the Wanderbirds, who I haven't gone with yet. But I'm excited to do more hikes in the Washington region.
Some clubs hike closer in to DC than others - I'm the type who likes not to travel too far on a weekend because there are all sorts of chores and errands to take care of in those two short days.
But if I were a solo traveler in Washington, with plenty of time to sightsee and wander, that is, I'd be on vacation, I might be keen to go on an all-day hike and commune with nature and natives of the area. Perhaps find a dining companion for the evening!
Yes, you gotta love that park.
Hey, that link you included didn't work when I clicked it. Can you check and see what might be the problem?
Happy trails, as they say.
Ellen
Posted by: Ellen | July 17, 2009 at 03:28 PM
interesting - i can't hike bc of my disabilities, but i am always interested in reading of others journeys. thanks!
Posted by: jessie voigts | August 13, 2009 at 12:06 AM
Hi,
I've seen tons of these hike clubs when I lived in NYC but never joined them, sounds like a great time!
Posted by: marina k. villatoro | August 13, 2009 at 08:14 AM
Jessie,
Glad I could entertain. Come back for more travel stories.
Marina,
These clubs can be pretty good for getting out there and doing what you like to do and having company and also having someone else map and test the route for you!
Posted by: Ellen | August 13, 2009 at 09:27 PM
Hey. Just wanted you to know I stole this photo in making a reference to your excellent blog on my blog. I hope you will not send out the lawyer. But let me know if you want me to remove it. (I am the worst photographer on earth--even with current technology, I can't get a simple coherent shot. So I am a photo stealer--tho try to confine myself to Creative Commons.) Very much enjoy your writing and will pass this on to the solo travelers I know!
capitolcougar.blogspot.com
Posted by: Maria Padhila | August 28, 2009 at 06:25 PM
The idea of hiking clubs is excellent. It allows the people that really like to travel, but do not want to deal with the logistical side to enjoy nature. The experience of traveling together with other people adds fun too
Posted by: sourceoutdoor | October 14, 2010 at 06:06 PM