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Post by Deleted on Oct 16, 2016 14:36:11 GMT -8
Hello,
I'll be visiting Washington DC from Nov 12-18th. I want to explore some of the outdoors. I was wondering if anyone could suggest hikes with spectacular views in the area. Seems like alot of people recommend Old Rag Mountain which I'm very interested in. I'm also wondering if hiking in mid November will be ok weather wise. I will probably only get one full day to go out and hike so I don't mind driving a couple hours out of the city to hike for the day.
I'm an avid hiker from Vancouver, BC and done day hikes up to 30km longs (with 1520m elevation gain) so I'm open to doing more difficult hikes if the views are worth it.
Thanks for the help
Ashley
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Oct 16, 2016 15:24:59 GMT -8
Hi Ashley, you're coming to town at a beautiful time of year. If you feel like going north, you could head for Harper's Ferry, WV. Although the views aren't as spectacular, there are many trails and the drive isn't nearly as long. Allow yourself at least a full day for seeing the National Mall in DC if this is your first trip.
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BigLoad
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Post by BigLoad on Oct 16, 2016 16:26:33 GMT -8
Old Rag is nice at that time of year, but it can be very crowded. It helps to start as early as possible, especially for parking.
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Post by johntpenca on Oct 16, 2016 16:52:31 GMT -8
Welcome!
Not my neck of the woods as I'm from SoCal, but hopefully some locals can give you some insight. As I understand it the trains can get you to the AT.
edit: just out of curiosity, why not spend a few days at the Smithsonian?
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tomas
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Post by tomas on Oct 17, 2016 5:18:32 GMT -8
Old Rag will be a conga line unless you get there wicked early. You can get views without tons of people from less known peaks like Sugarloaf Mountain during the work week.
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rpcv
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Post by rpcv on Oct 17, 2016 5:35:40 GMT -8
As everyone else said, Old Rag will definitely be a zoo if you go on the weekend. It is a great hike, though. If you can get there on a weekday or very early (~6 a.m.), it will be a lot more pleasant. Otherwise, I second the Harpers Ferry area. There are great views from both Maryland Heights and Weverton Heights and the town itself is worth spending some time in. It may be crowded there, too, if you go on a weekend, but the crowding will pale in comparison to Old Rag.
Signal Knob or Buzzard Rock just to the west of Front Royal are also very nice hikes with great views and far fewer people.
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Post by catonsvillebill on Oct 17, 2016 7:34:45 GMT -8
Hi Ashley. I don't know about Old Rag, never having been there myself. Harpers Ferry might be good for you. As has been said the views aren't as good as Old Rag I suspect, but the AT runs through Harpers Ferry. You could go north on the AT & try for Weverton Cliffs @ 5 miles away. That has halfway decent views of some of the Potomac Valley. Whatever you do, enjoy!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 17, 2016 17:35:47 GMT -8
Thanks for the suggestions everyone! I haven't figured out what I'm going to be doing exactly in Washington but I definitely going to be spending time at the national mall...maybe go to a pentagon tour.
As for the hike, I do plan to do it on a weekday as I don't want to be stuck in a traffic jam going up to the top. Thanks for all the suggestions. Harpers Ferry sounds like a good one. Maybe I can try and fit in a bit more hiking during this trip. If I were to do Old Rag mountain are there ways to get there besides a car? Sounds like my husband will need the car during his work conference and I won't be able to use it....
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rpcv
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Post by rpcv on Oct 17, 2016 17:54:24 GMT -8
There really isn't any way to get to Old Rag without a car, unfortunately.
Another couple of ideas, though, since you might be car-free: Rock Creek Park in DC is very easily accessible by metro (Woodley Park, among other stations) and you can do some long, pretty hikes there. Also, Roosevelt Island is accessible from Rosslyn station, I think. Also very cool.
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JiminMD
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Post by JiminMD on Oct 17, 2016 18:00:14 GMT -8
By train I would second the recommendation for Rock Creek Park. Harper's Ferry is accessible by train on Maryland's MARC system with trains leaving from Union Station.
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Post by hikingtiger on Oct 24, 2016 8:28:13 GMT -8
Take some time for the Billy Goat trail (at least section A) near the C&O Towpath (Great Falls Park on the Maryland side.) Not exactly "views", but lots of fun. The wooded trails across the towpath aren't bad either.
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rpcv
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Post by rpcv on Oct 24, 2016 10:49:22 GMT -8
Take some time for the Billy Goat trail (at least section A) near the C&O Towpath (Great Falls Park on the Maryland side.) Not exactly "views", but lots of fun. The wooded trails across the towpath aren't bad either. The Billy Goat Trail is a great hike, but this is another good weekday or super early in the morning suggestion. It suffers from the same conga-line problem as Old Rag on nice weekends. |
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Post by hikingtiger on Oct 25, 2016 8:26:55 GMT -8
It suffers from the same conga-line problem as Old Rag on nice weekends. I'd imagine so. I've only been there during the week during business trips. |
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