Directions: Trailhead starts at Albermarle St. and 32nd St.,
NW, in Dist. (One block off Connecticut Ave and Albermarle, about 1/2 mile north
of Van Ness Metro Station).
Trail Information: .9 miles to Rock Creek, all downhill in
beginning and mostly nice gradual climb back out with a couple of short steep
ascents. About 7 stream crossings (you will get wet). Note: in rain crossing can
be treacherous b/c stream gets too deep to see the bottom and it is littered
with fist sized slippery stones waiting to twist an ankle. OK to do if raining,
in fact quite nice, but recommend walking stream crossings.
Miscellaneous Information: At end turn right and in about 75
meters it links into Rock Creek at intersection of Broad Branch Rd. and Beach
Dr. From there you can turn south at parking lot and get on paved trail, go past
old mill and cross under Tilden Street, then on other side you will see an open
field. Cross it to far corner and there is a trail that follows another stream
roughly West out of the park and back to Connecticut Ave. You will come out on
Conn. Ave between Cleveland Park Metro and Van Ness Metro, so can go back to
either station, or turn right (north) on Conn. Ave. and run back to your car at
the trail head.
You can also link into all of the trails in the Rock Creek Park at Broad Branch
and Beach Dr. I like to turn right at end of trail, run down Broad Branch, after
bridge that crosses Broad Branch Creek, cross Breach Dr. and cross Rock Creek on
bridge and head over to where Blagden Ave. meets Beach Dr. Just before you get
to the intersection look to your left and you will see a little technical trail
going uphill and heading North. Go on it and it connects into the Valley Trail.
Run as far as you want. You can get off it at the Stone Bridge on Beach Drive
and run up the road until you get to the Pedestrian Bridge. Cross Rock Creek at
Pedestrian Bridge, hook into Horse Trail and head south back to intersection of
Broad Branch and Beach Dr. and then take Soapstone back out. Or go all the way
to Military Road. Just before you get to it, cross stream at Park Police
Headquarters, head over to where Ross Dr. comes down and cross Ross Dr. and you
will see a Horse Trail going uphill (Southwest). Take Horse Trail all the way up
a long gradual uphill until you get to the Western Ridge Trail. Turn left
(South) onto Western Ridge Trail and it ends back at intersection of Broad
Branch and Beach Dr. Take Soapstone Valley back out.
Go to:
http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/upload/rocrmap1.pdf
and download the trail map of the park.
Ryan Richie