Tuning up for another GREAT hiking season
Howdy wilderness fans! Coming at you with another trip report from beautiful… Fairfax County? Wait, Fairfax County in Northern Virginia? Whoa!
That’s right, I’m doing a review of one of only two nature preserves administered by Fairfax County, Scotts Run. This park is situated next to the Potomac and 193 (George Town Pike) just outside the beltway. Being so close to the city, this preserve presents a great opportunity for a weekday outing like a trail run or a shakedown before a longer hike.
Parking area
Scotts’ Run covers about 335 acres and I hiked a little 2.9 mile loop trail out there which was a great tune-up before hitting some longer hikes this summer. The trails at Scott’s Run are not well blazed, but there are occasional information signs that will point you in the correct direction. But hey, this park is so small… it’d be tough to get lost.
I’m looking forward to a great hiking season… hopefully putting up some big miles this summer and tramping around
A trail map helps you find your way
some exotic locations (maybe even doing a tad more canyoneering like last summer on my trip to Utah).
Oh, also… I experienced a pretty serious gear failure. Last summer I reviewed the Osprey Manta pack that has served as my go-to weekend play bag. Well, the hydration bladder failed just before I left the casa (LAME). The o-ring for the top wore out over the last year of use, which according to some other reviews has become a common problem. If you go with this pack, buying from a retailer like REI is a great option… They swapped my busted bladder out for a new one easy-peasy-lemon-squeezey. Cheers!
Any way, here’s the trail:
Hitting the trail
Spring Blooms
Spring Blooms
Scott's Run in Spring
Scott's Run water fall
Scott's Run
Trail Data:
0.0 Take the trail leading left from the parking lot.
0.2 Stay left at the next 2 trail branches.
0.3 Stay left again as you cross a small stream.
0.4 Descend steps to parking lot and turn right on the wide gravel path along Scott’s Run.
0.7 Cross Scott’s Run on the concrete stepping stones.
0.9 Recross Scott’s Run.
1.0 Pass the steps running up to the right.
1.1 See the falls of Scott’s Run where they terminate into the Potomac. You can see the I-495 bridge in the distance. Return to the steps you passed at the 1 mile mark.
1.2 Ascend the steps on the left at the “Nature Preserve” sign.
1.3 Check out the remnants of the old Burling home.
Burling homestead site
1.7 Trail junction, turn left (for for a shorter hike, continue straight to the parking lot).
1.9 At the flag pole, continue straight and then bear left and descend.
2.0 Check out the river on the river.
2.1 At the flag pole bear left on a narrow trail along the stream bed.
2.2 At the next fork, bear right.
2.5 Go right at the next trail junction.
2.6 At the wide trail go left and keep to the left. Trail branching right will take you away from the parking lot.
2.9 Return to the parking lot.
Getting there:
From I-495, take exit 44 for Georgetown Pike (193), take 193 toward Great Falls Park, the parking area will be the first right… Linganore Dr.
(117.6 miles blogged to date)
It was a great hike, thank you baby!