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The Potomac Conservancy's favorite C&O spot, the River Center at Lockhouse 8, plays host to a National Trails Day event. Register here with REI Bailey's Crossroads.Towpath treasures await...

Forget triathlons, how about an adventure quintathlon on the C&O Canal? It's not a stretch - we count no less than five outdoor activities favored by park users: jogging/running, biking, kayaking/canoeing, rock climbing, and fishing (yes, we're counting fishing as a sport). The Georgetown to Anglers Inn Canal corridor is a multi-sport athlete's paradise.

And to think, fifty years ago, our favorite 19th century waterway almost got paved over.

View C&O Canal Towpath - Georgetown to Angler's Inn Images on Flickr

Trail Profile

The C&O Canal Towpath runs 184.5 miles, but for brevity, we'll focus on the Georgetown (mile 0) to Angler's Inn (12.6) section. Continuing west from Anglers Inn, you enter the Great Falls Park area, which features additional natural surface hiking trails (like Billy Goat Section A), and of course, the Falls itself.

This map highlights the Palisades District of the C&O Canal which includes the Georgetown to Angler's Inn section.

Georgetown

If you've set foot in Georgetown within the last 180 years or so you're probably familiar with its unique setting on the Canal. Running parallel to M Street, the Georgetown section of the Canal starts (or ends) at Rock Creek.

Note: Don't plan on racing against the clock through Georgetown. The trail is narrow, heavily used, and crosses several roads.

Highlights: The Georgetown canal boat; Georgetown Visitor Center; views of Key Bridge and Rosslyn 

Fletcher's Boathouse

The crowds can be thick between Georgetown and Fletcher's Boathouse (mile 3.1), a DC landmark and a bustling hub of activity. Many visitors use Fletcher's as the launching point for their hike/bike/paddle/fishing adventure. The Capital Crescent Trail more or less converges with the Towpath near the Boathouse.

Highlights: Kayak/canoe rentals at Fletcher's Boathouse; access to the Capital Crescent Trail

Chain Bridge / Little Falls

Beyond the Capital Crescent Trail trestle (mile 3.6), trail activity quiets down. Wildlife activity, meanwhile, perks up. The Great Blue Heron is a mainstay, but also keep an eye out for box turtles and toads.

Lockhouse 6 (mile 5.4), near the Little Falls Dam, isn't just your everyday run-of-the-mill historic structure. This lockhouse is open for overnight guests thanks to the hard work of the C&O Canal Trust.

Highlights: Chain Bridge bike/ped access; Lockhouse 6 (parking and lodging); Little Falls Dam; Lock 7 (parking); Sycamore Island 

Seven Locks

The Seven Locks section references Locks 8-14, all of which are located within a mile-long stretch of the Canal (mile 8.5-9.5). Engineer-types can spend a day here marveling at the feats of their early 19th century colleagues.

Highlights: Potomac Conservancy River Center at Lock 8; Lock 10 (parking); Lockhouse 11

Carderock

For rock climbers, Carderock (mile 10.4) is your final destination. Some of the best top roping in the DC area is just steps away from the parking lot. Carderock also features large picnic areas and the Billy Goat Trail Section C (not quite as spectacular as Section A but still a hoot).

Highlights: Access to Carderock (parking, restrooms, and water)

Angler's Inn

The Angler's Inn area (mile 12.6) is named for the local cantina / pricey restaurant located directly across MacArthur Boulevard from the main parking lot. This lot is favored by many park users - notably, whitewater kayakers. Our friends at Potomac Paddlesports meet there for lessons 3-4 times a week. Angler's is also a prime base for tackling the Billy Goat Trail Section A. Access to the eastern end of the trail is less than half a mile from the lot.

Highlights: River access / kayak launch; Billy Goat Trail Section A; Old Angler's Inn (restaurant)

Trail Stewardship

The National Park Service provides numerous opportunities to give back to the park that is loved by millions year after year. The stewardship team at C&O Canal National Historical Park even have their own dedicated website: http://www.chohvip.org/

Two programs, in particular, may catch your eye:

Canal Stewards: This relatively new program offers organizations, businesses, or individuals a chance to "adopt" a section of the park. Your job is then to maintain and enhance that particular area - taking your cue from the Park Service. The North Face, the Potomac Conservancy, and several Brookmont neighbors are already signed up - if you'd like to get involved, contact Rebecca Jameson (Rebecca_Jameson[at]nps.gov).

Bike Patrol: The Bike Patrol is just as it sounds - you cycle along the Towpath providing information for users and first aid when necessary. The Bike Patrol is always looking for new volunteers - Norman Liebow (liebow[at]comcast.net) coordinates the team in the Palisades District of the Canal.

Another good resource for volunteer opportunities is our friends at the C&O Canal Trust. Canal Pride Days (May-June) attracts hundreds of dedicated volunteers each and every year.

Whether you hike, bike, run, climb, kayak, or fish, the C&O Canal Towpath serves as your human-powered highway to local outdoor adventure.

Location / Directions: Georgetown (mile 0)Trail Distance: 12.6 miles, Georgetown to Angler's InnSurface / Difficulty: Hard-packed dirt/gravel; EasyTrail Map: C&O Canal National Historical Park - Palisades District MapAdministration: National Park ServiceSocial Media: Facebook, Twitter

There's someone I'd like you to meet...join Rails-to-Trails, WABA, Phoenix Bikes, and more for National Trail Day on the Metropolitan Branch Trail. The Little Trail That Could

Over 20 years removed from its original conception, the Metropolitan Branch Trail (MBT) and its ardent supporters have finally cut the ribbon. Since much ink has been spilled over this Washington DC trail (see WashCycle) - let us be brief with this introduction: the Met Branch Trail is a game-changing accomplishment.

View the Metropolitan Branch Trail Slideshow on Flickr

Trail Profile

The trail extends from Union Station (south) to Silver Spring (north) passing through some of Northeast DC's most vibrant and diverse communities. Not familiar with NoMa, Eckington, Brookland, and the like? The MBT is your chance to change that.

Open this map and browse through the trail images on the MBT home page as you follow along with our trail profile.

Union Station to L St.

Trail Description: Wide sidewalk; steps leading up to trail from L StreetMetro Access: Union StationNeighborhood(s): Capitol HillAttractions/Food: Bikestation Washington DC (video); Ebeneezer Coffee House

L St. NE to Franklin St. NE

Trail Description: Continuous off-road trail (no at-grade road crossings) adjacent to Metro/CSX tracks; solar-powered LED lightingMetro Access: New York Ave-Florida Ave-Galludet University; Rhode Island Ave-Brentwood (future bicycle/pedestrian bridge from trail)Neighborhood(s): NoMa > Eckington > EdgewoodAttractions/Food: View of the Capitol Building (Image); Pound Coffee; Pocket park at 4th St. NE / S St. NE; "From Edgewood to the End of the World" mural (Image); DC Prep Academy urban garden (future)

Franklin St. NE to Fort Totten Dr.

Trail Description: On-road (8th St. NE) with busy crossing at Monroe St.; at Brookland-CUA metro station, wide sidewalk trail adjacent to John McCormack Dr.; hill climb to Fort Totten Dr.Metro Access: Brookland-CUANeighborhood(s): BrooklandAttractions/Food: Dance Place and future ArtSpace complex; Colonel Brooks' Tavern; Catholic University Basilica (Image)

Fort Totten Dr. to Takoma Metro Station

Trail Description: On-road - busy city streets lacking bike lanes (Fort Totten Dr., Gallatin St. NW); dedicated bike lane on 3rd St. NWMetro Access: Fort Totten (via path connecting to 1st Pl. NE); TakomaNeighborhood(s): Fort Totten > TakomaAttractions/Food: Fort Totten Park (part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington); Andrene's Caribbean & Soul Food; Takoma Recreation Center

Takoma Metro Station to Silver Spring

Trail Description: Off-road trail along Takoma Ave.; current trail ends at Fenton St. / Route 410 intersectionMetro Access: Takoma Park; Silver Spring (future trail extension)Neighborhoods: Takoma Park > Silver SpringAttractions/Food: Takoma Park Historic District; The Organic Falafel Stand; Jesup Blair Park (pedestrian bridge links to trail) 

Trail Future

While much has been accomplished, significant work lies ahead. Until several key components can fall into place, the "bicycle beltway" remains a vision rather than a reality.

Here's what lies ahead for the Metropolitan Branch Trail:

Montgomery County extension of the trail to Silver Spring Transit CenterConnection with future Capital Crescent Trail - best chronicled by Silver Spring TrailsPrince George's County Connector Trail to the Northwest Branch Trail (part of the Anacostia Tributary Trail System)Fort Totten metro station access

As Rails-to-Trails notes, trail construction is just one part of the equation: "Although construction on this section of trail is nearing completion, the work is just beginning for many who live in the surrounding neighborhoods..."

Trail Stewardship

The brand new MBT resembles a blank slate - the surrounding communities and Washington DC trail users at large have the opportunity to nurture and mold this one-time neglected graffiti corridor into something trans-formative. That process is happening now.

6/5/10 - Meet the Met: While many bike commuters may already be familiar with the trail, this National Trails Day event is designed to give the local community a chance to learn about the trail and celebrate it. Subscribe to the Met Branch email list for updates.Adopt-the-Trail: While not a formal program, Rails-to-Trails is in the process of forging stewardship partnerships with local organizations. Contact Kelly Pack (kellyp[at]railstotrails.org) for more information.Tree Plantings and Urban Gardening: To make the trail corridor more inviting, Casey Trees and the DC Prep Edgewood campus are moving forward with plans to plant trail-side trees and create an urban garden. Both initiatives will need volunteers - again, the RTC Blog is your best source for volunteer announcements.

Allow us now to return to our original thesis - how exactly is the Met Branch Trail a game-changer? In several key aspects, the MBT changes our ingrained concept of a trail:

It's a trail with rail. Convenient metro access was (and still is) a driving principle.It serves a neglected urban community. Well-maintained trails should no longer be for wealthy neighborhoods only.It provides a transportation option. Yes, we realize that this fact is not unique to the MBT. However, in our opinion, this trail makes the region's strongest case yet for Active Community Transportation Act proponents.

Whether you agree or disagree with our conclusions, the MBT is certainly worth a ride.

Location / Directions: Union Station, Washington DCTrail Distance: 8.25 miles, Union Station to Silver SpringSurface / Difficulty: Paved; EasyTrail Map: Metropolitan Branch Trail MapAdministration: District Department of TransportationSocial Media: Facebook, Twitter

Image Credit: Met Branch Trail Cyclist image courtesy East Coast Greenway

Not familiar with the trail? No problem. Contact Dan Fitzgerald, MORE Trail Liaison, to join one of his weekly Wednesday rides. The Nature of Forts

During a recent ride on the Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail, Dan Fitzgerald, a Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) trail liaison, was approached by a group of neighborhood youngsters excited and awed by his fancy mountain bike.

Kids: "Hey man, where are you going?"Dan: "On the trail in the woods."Kids: "You go in there?"

While the value of natural forest settings may be a no-brainer to most of us, the kids' reaction outlines a fundamentally different perspective. Many organizations are working to change that perspective and at the center of the renaissance is the Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail, a 7-8 mile linear trail extending through several of Washington DC's "east of the river" communities. Fort Circle offers pleasant natural surprises and depressing urban-neglect reminders wrapped up into one unique trail experience.

View the Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail Slideshow on Flickr      

Trail & Terrain

For the purposes of this article, the Fort Circle Trail is divided into north and south sections starting from the Ridge Road / Fort Davis Drive intersection in the northern portion of Fort Dupont Park. To reach the intersection from the Fort Dupont Activity Center, take Fort Dupont Drive or the partially paved trail adjacent to the stage. If you only have time for one direction, we recommend the Southern Section.

Southern Section

Fort Davis Drive to Massachusetts Avenue: This is the longest, cleanest, flowy-est, and all-around finest cross-section of the entire trail. You'll pass a steep, rutted trail (stay right to avoid it) leading to ruins of the earthworks fort that gives the park its name.

Massachusetts Avenue to Branch Avenue: Deep stream valleys and ridge riding remind you that yeah, DC can be hilly. The best hill climbs are yet to come, though. his section is Fort Davis Park and features a wetland area near 28th Street.

Branch Avenue to Naylor Road: The trail entrance is on the right after a short stretch on Park Avenue. Enjoy the sketchy downhills! After crossing 28th Street, drop in and pedal hard to build up speed for "Gumball Alley." Good luck with the ascent (you'll need it).

Naylor Road to Anacostia Community Museum: Cruise downhill to Good Hope Road, cross it, and meander through the stream valley over some quaint wooden bridges. The meandering ends abruptly with a steep hill climb leading to the Anacostia Community Museum and Fort Stanton.

Northern Section

Ridge Road to East Capitol Street: The trail is fast and smooth but the roadside refuse erodes your enjoyment. The trash issue improves after crossing C Street into Fort Chaplin Park, where the fort's earthworks are in relatively good condition.

East Capitol Street to Fort Mahan: You'll need to cross busy Benning Road to get there, but the Fort Mahan trail section offers both a fun interpretative loop and a treasured trail connection to the 1.6 mile Marvin Gaye / Watts Branch Park trail.

Trail & Neighborhood Characteristics

By now, we've mentioned "road crossing," "trash," and "urban-neglect" enough times for you to probably realize that this isn't Schaeffer Farm. Mountain bike purists with easy access to the suburbs may want to look elsewhere for fresh singletrack. However, many others will enjoy Fort Circle for what it is. Here's a look at the pros and cons of the trail from a mountain biker's point of view:

Pros

This is the only legal mountain bike trail in the District. That fact alone makes this trail a worthy addition to the city slicker's repertoire. There are enough steep hills to keep your lungs interested.Generous tree shade makes this a decent choice for summer rides.

Cons

Your personal safety comfort level on this trail depends on your individual nature, but MORE recommends always riding it with a buddy.Road crossings are numerous and some crossings (Pennsylvania, Benning, Naylor, etc.) can be a major pain during rush hour.  The Park Service works hard to keep the trail in good shape but downed trees seem to be a constant issue.The Fort Circle Trail is to poison ivy as the Tidal Basin is to cherry blossoms. Get your Technu ready.    MORE Stewardship

Without MORE's steady support for this high-potential but often-neglected trail destination, the Fort Circle Park Hiker-Biker Trail would suffer. The Fort Circle community of riders is led by Dan Fitzgerald (email: dbfitzgerald[at]yahoo.com). Dan schedules weekly Wednesday rides and occasional trail work days - stay tuned to the MORE website or contact Dan directly for updates.

Future of the Trail

Over the years, the Fort Circle corridor has been threatened by many ill-advised development plans. For the most part, the city now recognizes its value as a natural and recreational resource for a neglected, but vibrant, community clinging to few remaining green spaces.

The CapitalSpace Initiative planners and the National Park Service have expressed their shared intentions to connect the Fort Circle parks which, as the name indicates, form a partial circle of Civil War defenses around Washington DC. In the case of this article's featured trail, Union Army soldiers once walked the same sacred ground that mountain bikers and hikers now prowl.

Do you think they appreciated the lung-busting climbs?    

Location / Directions: SE Washington, DC; Metro - Benning Road (Blue)Trail Distance: 7-8 milesSurface / Difficulty: Mostly natural or crushed gravel; ModerateTrail Map: Fort Circle Hiker-Biker Trail MapAdministration: National Park Service - National Capital Parks-EastSocial Media: Twitter

No longer Awakening, but still very much Awake

In February 2008, a 27 year struggle came to an end. The struggling giant that is The Awakening emerged from his Hains Point perch only to be carted off and reburied in suburban Prince George's County. For many Washingtonians, it was the end of an era for East Potomac Park and Hains Point.

The Awakening will be missed, but East Potomac Park Park (EPP) should not be. With its riverside, tree-lined setting devoid of the bumper-to-bumper traffic mere meters away, EPP is exactly the kind of outdoors escape we all need.

View the East Potomac Park Slideshow on Flickr

Geography

While many people refer to East Potomac Park as a "peninsula," the park is actually an island (look closely at the Satellite map), which was man-made in the late 1800's from Potomac River dredging material. Other noteworthy geographic facts include:

The Jefferson Memorial anchors the northern tip of the island and Hains Point the southernThe island is bordered by the Tidal Basin (north), Washington Channel (east), and Potomac River (west)Hains Point is referenced as the confluence of the Potomac and Anacostia RiverOutdoor Activities

By all accounts, the dominate feature of the 328 acre park is the golf course - or rather three golf courses (18-hole par 4, 9-hole Executive, and 9-hole short course). We can only imagine how valuable East Potomac Park is to downtown cubicle-dwellers who dream of donning a green jacket. Alas, this isn't a golf website so our Links analysis ends there.

For walkers, runners, and cyclists, EPP is an outdoor playground that can be as pleasant, or painful, as you make it. There are two main recreational components of the park:

Paved Walkway - The narrow, paved walkway, which is in varying degrees of disrepair, lines up against the seawall. On weekends, it's a fishermen hot spot, but does anything ever bite? Ohio Drive Loop - Without a doubt, the loop is a local favorite for cyclists and runners. It measures 3.2 miles - an almost perfect 5K distance - and cars are few and far between.

Visit East Potomac Park on any sun-drenched weekend and you're bound to see a whole host of characters - from the speed-racer cyclist riding time-trail laps (Mayor Fenty style) to the stroller-pushing mom out for a visit to the playground.

Cherry Blossoms

Fifty weeks a year, East Potomac Park enjoys a serenity not found in its monument-wielding neighbor, the National Mall. Cherry Blossom Festival time, however, is somewhat of an exception. The park features 1,681 cherry blossom trees, many of which are the Kanzan varietal. Kanzan trees bloom about two weeks later than the Yoshino trees that dominate the Tidal Basin. Assuming the Kanzan blossoms last beyond the two-week window of festival madness, visit EPP and perhaps your DC Blossom experience can be one of peace and quiet.

Although East Potomac Park lost its favorite (aluminum) son, the park has certainly not lost its allure to Washington DC locals, and the occasional Cherry Blossom tourist, alike. 

Location / Directions: Ohio Dr SW, Washington, DCPark Size / Trail Distance: 328 acres; 3.2 mile loopSurface / Difficulty: Paved; EasyAdministration: National Park Service

Tales from the Trail

Every trail has a story to tell. For some, it's a story of the past - from Native American settlements to Civil War garrisons. For other trails, the story begins and ends with the environment - the degradation caused by our damaging habits and what we can do to buck the trend. Last but not least, the drama queen trails tell the story of political and administrative struggles - different user groups with different priorities.

Only in DC can the story of a trail span history, environment, and politics. Such is the story of the Rock Creek Park Trail.

View the Rock Creek Park Trail Slideshow on Flickr

Paved Trail

The setting is Rock Creek Park, Washington DC's most popular green space not named the National Mall. The park hosts approximately 2 million visitors per year - many of whom tread on the paved Rock Creek Park Trail.

The 6.5 mile paved trail is is divided into sections detailed below (mileage markers in parentheses). The official southern terminus of the trail is just south of the Tidal Basin, parallel to Ohio Drive.

Tidal Basin to Georgetown/C&O Canal (2.1 miles): Part trail and part large sidewalk, this section is adjacent to the National Mall and the Kennedy Center. The C&O Canal intersection is your best Georgetown access point.  Georgetown/C&O Canal to P Street Bridge (0.5): The P Street bridge is your last chances to exit the trail (safely, at least) until Connecticut Avenue. The bridge is just four blocks west of Dupont Circle.P Street Bridge to Connecticut Avenue Bridge (1.3): The grandest of Rock Creek's bridges is Connecticut Avenue. This area features a very popular large grassy area at Shoreham Drive.National Zoological Park (1.0): This section includes a 0.5 mile detour that avoids the Parkway tunnel, but it's only open from dawn to dusk. Zoo access is available at National Zoo Drive.Zoo to Broad Branch Road (1.7): After winding 1.7 miles passed the Zoo, the paved trail ends at Broad Branch Drive.Beach Drive

Six and change miles of trail may be great for a jogger, but most cyclists will be itching for more. Riding on a weekend? You're in luck. Beach Drive, north of Broad Branch Road, is, in The WashCycle's words, DC's very own "ciclovia." On weekends, from 7 AM Saturday to 7 PM Sunday, this section of Beach Drive is closed to cars. For 36 straight hours every week, one of the region's most scenic roads is a two-wheeled and two-feet wonderland.

Beach Drive's car-free section lends itself to a two-part breakdown.

Broad Branch Road to Joyce Road/Military Road (1.6 miles): The crossing at Joyce Road provides trail access to the Nature Center. Military Road to Maryland/DC border (2.7): The most remote-feeling section, the DC/Maryland border is the northern terminus of Rock Creek Park.

To view the full 10.8 mile excursion (Rock Creek Park Trail plus Beach Drive), check out this map featuring Google's new Bicycling map layer.

Trail Highlights

Several features and characteristics of the route make it a classic Washington DC outdoor adventure.

Bridge Architecture: This is not an architecture website, but even a casual observer is awed by the massive concrete bridges crossing Rock Creek. The Connectict Avenue bridge is the largest, but Trail Voice's favorite is the tiny Boulder Bridge on Beach Drive.19th Century History: Pierce Mill is the featured attraction, but we also like Mt. Zion Cemetery, a reminder of the vibrant history of free blacks in the District. Trail Connections: Rock Creek Park, in and of itself, features a vast network of natural surface trails. Cyclists and joggers/hikers can also take advantage of the following trail connections: National Mall, C&O Canal, Melvin C. Haven/Glover-Archbold Park, and Montgomery County's extension of the Rock Creek Trail.Trail Future

No stranger to the DC political scene, Rock Creek Park was a favorite getaway for Teddy Roosevelt and his unsuspecting foreign guests. Lately, it's been the scene of a different kind of politics. Loved to death by walkers, joggers, and stroller-pushers, the narrow, winding paved trail has long been a point of contention with cyclists; but that may change. After several years of WABA advocacy efforts, DDOT and the National Park Service have decided to widen the trail and improve the surface.

Park & Trail Volunteering

For the stewards among us, Rock Creek Park provides a full slate of volunteer opportunities including Bike Patrol, Pierce Mill guiding, and Nature Center programs. The busiest day of the Rock Creek spring volunteering season is April 10th in conjunction with the Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. Visit our dedicated event page to learn more about joining the Trail Voice/Friends of Rock Creek's Environment team and thousands of other volunteers.

No other DC trail offers urbanites an experience quite like the Rock Creek Park Trail. Whether you visit to stretch your legs or take in the history, we think you'll enjoy the story.

Location / Directions: NW Washington, DCTrail Distance: 10.8 miles total; Rock Creek Park Trail - 6.5 miles, Beach Drive - 4.3 milesSurface / Difficulty: Paved; EasyTrail Map: Map of Rock Creek ParkAdministration: National Park ServiceSocial Media: Facebook, Twitter

In the 1880's, Walter B. Shaw set out to start a garden on his east-bank Anacostia River property. He began his work unceremoniously - laboriously cleaning out a small ice pond (since reclaimed by nature). However, with help from his talented daughter, Helen Fowler, that ice pond became Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Sweeping her gaze from the ice pond to the stunning aquatic plant landscape, Kathleen Bucco, a Kenilworth park ranger, exclaims, "What's amazing is how he could look at that [the small ice pond], and envision this."

Aquatic Gardens

High-time for the dazzling display of water lilies and lotus flowers, visitors flock to Kenilworth during the warm summer months. Gardening enthusiast or not, Walter B. Shaw's creation is inspiring. For the best experience, especially from a photographic perspective, arrive early (the park opens at 7 AM) to stroll around the ponds as the flowers glow in the morning rays. Also, be sure to join a ranger-led Garden Tour (weekends at 9 AM and 11 AM) to learn about Kenilworth's fascinating history and its present-day challenges (request to hear the "Turtle War" story).

Kenilworth Marsh and the Anacostia River

As beautiful as Kenilworth's cultivated gardens may be, the real action is around its perimeter. The gardens are essentially surrounded on three sides by an Anacostia River wetlands area known as Kenilworth Marsh. This tidal marsh, the last of its kind in the District, is a wildlife haven in an otherwise hostile urban area. With a fascinating history of its own (a dredging plan was narrowly averted in 1938), the marsh is home to beavers, muskrats, turtles, frogs, and the majestic great blue heron. Kenilworth visitors can stroll out on the boardwalk trail for an expansive view of the marsh.

Overshadowed by the gardens and marsh, many visitors miss out on Kenilworth's 0.7 mile-long (one-way) River Trail. As an informed Trail Voice reader, make sure you do not! The River Trail leads to the channel connecting Kenilworth Marsh and the Anacostia River. Venture down to the river's edge for an up-close inspection of the Anacostia seawall, built in the 1920-1940 timeframe. The infamous seawall changed the ecological health of the Anacostia for the worse - and it didn't prove to be much of a flood barrier either. Kenilworth Marsh, however, shows what the Anacostia River can be, and hopefully will be, when nature prevails.

Park & Trail Stats: 8 acres (ponds), 70 acres with wetlands; approximately one mile of natural surface and boardwalk trailsHow to Get Here: Map; Metro - Deanwood (Orange line)Administration: National Park Service - National Capital Parks-EastTwitter: @DCParksEastNPS

For those about to rock, we salute you!

An urban oasis for generations of Washingtonians, Rock Creek Park (map) has helped define our city. We are a city of parks, and Rock Creek Park is the largest (over 2,000 acres). Hikers and bikers flock to its forested confines just minutes away from the bustling city streets.

For hikers, it's quite easy to forget you're in a city when exploring the spacious central section of the park (north of the zoo). Local resource, rundc.com, mapped out a stellar, moderately difficult, hiking option in this section - the 4.3 mile Western Ridge Trail loop. Start your trek near the Military Road bridge and walk the trail hugging the western shore of the cascading creek. As you approach the Beach Drive and Bladgen Avenue intersection, the Western Ridge Trail beckons to your right. The Western Ridge Trail, deftly maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC), tops out near the Nature Center. Stroll back down to the valley via the natural surface connector trail, passing the Civil War relic of Fort DeRussy. This section of trail, which runs parallel to busy Military Road, is your gentle reminder that city life, and city traffic, await.

Trail Stats: 4.2 miles (as reviewed) of natural surface trails; bicycles prohibitedPark Map: http://www.nps.gov/rocr/planyourvisit/upload/ROCRmap1.pdfAdministration: National Park Service - Rock Creek Park

Read more about this hike and 59 others in 60 Hikes within 60 Miles: Washington, DC.

Make Fletcher's your home base for a C&O adventure

The C&O Canal is a year-round hub of activity. Mule-drawn canal boats left the scene years ago - filling the void in the water are kayaks and canoes. Some kayak and canoe enthusiasts paddle the canal to hone their skills for the rapids of the Potomac. But to many, paddling the C&O is an adventure in its own right.

For city dwellers, Fletcher's Boathouse (map) - two and a half miles from Georgetown - offers a convenient C&O Canal starting point (not to mention kayak and canoe rentals). From Fletcher's, paddle the quiet, shaded route upstream (about two miles to Lock 5) or the lively, noisier route downstream (to Georgetown). Paddle to learn the basics or to master technique. Paddle for exercise; for nature; or for the heck of it. Whatever your reason may be, just paddle...and smile.

To many Washington DC area residents, the Potomac is just another river to cross. But to the fraternity of kayak paddlers, it's much, much more. DC's (original) national treasure, the Potomac River, supports a healthy population of a certain streamlined river species - the kayaker. At some point in the evolution of the Washington DC area kayaker, this species begat two branches: flatwater and whitewater. Our story today is set in the flats.

About a mile after the Potomac winds its way past the Montgomery County-Washington DC line, the river widens and the current slows. This water is the playground for paddlers launching from Jack's Boathouse in Georgetown. From Jack's, kayakers can point their vessel upstream for a visit to the Three Sisters - a series of mid-river rock outcroppings within clear view of the Key Bridge. Or you may elect to venture downstream in the direction of some familiar sights. Let's be honest, we Washingtonians are (almost) numb to the view of Lincoln's marble shrine framed against the backdrop of the Washington Monument. But the view from a kayak - as the water laps softly against the hull - is unlike any experience from land. How so? Take hold of the oars and see for yourself.

Paddle Stats: About 1.5 miles from Jack's Boathouse to the Lincoln Memorial

Cars sit in trafficI pedal, cadence steady Carbon-free commute- Haiku by Trail Voice

When it comes to how you get to work, most people have a choice. There's the car - a game-changing 20th century transportation innovation. Or the bicycle - a human-powered throwback to a time without highways. In today's society of pollution-spewing traffic jams, skyrocketing obesity rates, and global warming concerns, that choice - car or bike - is becoming increasingly clear to many Washingtonians.

As evidenced by the seven thousand plus Bike to Work Day 2009 registrants, the bicycle commuter community in Washington DC is stronger now more than ever. There are many reasons why DC area residents are embracing the two-wheeled commute - its cheaper, its better for the environment, and it helps one stay in shape. Also, Washington DC is making strides to cater to this community with new and improved trails like the Four Mile Run Trail; the aggressive expansion of bike sharing programs; the bicycle-friendly enhancements to metro stations; and the most striking example (architecturally), the construction of the Union Station Bicycle Transit Center. Much work still needs to be done, but bicycle advocacy organizations like WABA keep their goals within reach. One less car. One more bicycle commuter.

- Image courtesy of WABA

Monuments in the moonlight - need we say more? Full moon hikes are on for May (Sierra Club PRO) and June (MD.DC.VA Hiking Meetup Group).

The Cherry Blossom Festival welcomes nearly a million people to "our nation's front yard" - the National Mall & Memorial Parks (map). What more really can be said about this iconic national park that has not already been expressed by Presidents and Statesmen? It's a symbol of our country, a mecca of free speech, and a darn good place to go for a jog. D.C. locals and tourists alike enjoy miles of trails and acres of urban open-space in this park. There is really no one way to experience the outdoor recreation opportunities of the National Mall & Memorial Parks, but Trail Voice recommends two feet or two wheels. National Mall Park Rangers seem to agree - check out the schedule of events for Ranger-led walks and bike tours (which start up again this weekend after a winter hibernation). If you're visiting at some point during the next few weeks, you might also want to see what that cherry blossom fuss is all about.

Park Stats: 146 acres encompassing the National Mall (U.S. Capitol to Washington Monument), West Potomac Park (south of the Reflecting Pool including the Tidal Basin), and Constitution Gardens (north of the Reflecting Pool up to Constitution Ave.)Trail Stats: No official mileage. Multiple connections to other Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia trails.Administration: National Park Service - National Mall & Memorial Parks

Emerging from the meandering, mellow waters of the Potomac lies a small island. This island, just a stone's throw from the bustle of the GW Parkway and the urban expanse of Rosslyn proper, can seem like a world away. The trees grow tall and the wildlife thrives. Not coincidentally, this island is named for a man who embodies the spirit of the outdoors like no other in our nation's history. You might know him as the 26th President of the United States: Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt. The aptly named Theodore Roosevelt Island serves as an ideal representation of the the diverse natural landscape of the Washington D.C. area's parks and trails.

It's true that many Washington DC area parks and trails have had their share of struggles whether it be pollution, land acquisition, or neglected maintenance. But in one of the most populated pockets in the United States, DC area outdoor recreation enthusiasts have many reasons to be thankful. This website celebrates these reasons, and more importantly, encourages action to preserve and protect your favorite outdoor retreats (see Causes, Washington DC).