 |
| Difficult Run Trail Head (Point B) |
1. Difficult Run
- Leave in the morning and pack a picnic lunch
- Drive to trail head (15.6 miles, 24 minutes)
- Park in the lot just off of Georgetown Pike, a couple miles before Old Dominion Drive
- Walk the 5.1 miles Difficult Run hike, which will take approximately 2.5 hours
- See trees, wildlife, and great views of the Potomac River
2. Great Falls National Park
- About midway through your hike, stop at Great Falls National Park
- Explore the Visitors Center
- See the "Great Falls"
- Rest and eat lunch (if you didn't pack a lunch, a snack bar is open seasonally)
- Continue hiking and return to your car
 |
| Great Falls |
3. Colvin Run Mill
THINGS TO KNOW:
Difficult Run Trail has a parking lot just to the south of the Great Falls Park boundaries. The trail doesn’t follow the river, but instead leads through the woods to the ruins of Matildaville. Its interesting to stand by the foundations and read about the history of the area.
If you can’t handle hiking, drive directly to Great Falls National Park so you can still enjoy the view of the falls. The park charges $5 per car, or $3 per person entering on foot, bike or horseback, unless you have a National Parks Pass. Beginning in April 2013, it is a trash-free park, so be prepared to carry out all your trash with you when you go. There are plenty of picnic tables and lots of grassy area if you prefer to lay out a blanket and sit on the ground. There’s enough flat space for a game of soccer or frisbee. The falls overlook is an easy stroll from the parking lot, if you’ve driven directly to the park. One thing we love about the park is the plethora of boulders that captivate rock climbers of all levels. Even small children have a blast crawling around on the rocks they can manage. The visitor center has some educational exhibits on the area and a very small gift shop.
- Relax after your hike by driving to Colvin Run Mill (4.9 miles, 10 minutes)
- Shop in the General Store for something refreshing after your hike and for wheat milled at Colvin Run
- Tour the restored mill
- Wander around the grounds, taking the self-guided tours of the property (not that big)
- Return home (Colvin Run Mill closes at 4:00 p.m.)
 |
| Difficult Run Trail Head (Point A) to Colvin Run Mill (Point B) |
THINGS TO KNOW:
Difficult Run Trail has a parking lot just to the south of the Great Falls Park boundaries. The trail doesn’t follow the river, but instead leads through the woods to the ruins of Matildaville. Its interesting to stand by the foundations and read about the history of the area.
If you can’t handle hiking, drive directly to Great Falls National Park so you can still enjoy the view of the falls. The park charges $5 per car, or $3 per person entering on foot, bike or horseback, unless you have a National Parks Pass. Beginning in April 2013, it is a trash-free park, so be prepared to carry out all your trash with you when you go. There are plenty of picnic tables and lots of grassy area if you prefer to lay out a blanket and sit on the ground. There’s enough flat space for a game of soccer or frisbee. The falls overlook is an easy stroll from the parking lot, if you’ve driven directly to the park. One thing we love about the park is the plethora of boulders that captivate rock climbers of all levels. Even small children have a blast crawling around on the rocks they can manage. The visitor center has some educational exhibits on the area and a very small gift shop.
Colvin Run Mill is a small park and doesn’t require a
lot of time to explore, but it is worth the stop. Just down the road from the bustle of Tyson’s Corner, it is
a serene park that transports you back in time. Tours are available for a fee ($7 for adults and $5 for kids) or you can grab a brochure and do a self-guided tour of the grounds. Check the website to find out when the mill is in operation and when you can see black smith and woodworking demonstrations. Stop into
the general store to complete that feeling that you’ve stepped back in
time. In our warehouse,
bulk-buying culture, there’s something amazing about buying grains that have
recently been milled a few steps away from the store in which you’re standing. The store has recipes available for you
to try a typical dish from the 1800’s.
If you purchase some cornmeal and want some of the best cornbread you’ve
ever had, try this recipe.
No comments:
Post a Comment