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hang on little buddy, spring is coming

Another Saturday and another giant snow storm.  Fortunately this time around the accumulation was not 22″, but a much more manageable 6-7″.  Just like before it snowed all day on Saturday so I was stuck in my house trying to keep myself busy.  On Sunday the snow was easy to remove thanks to my new shovel, no more bucket for me!  After a lazy morning I decided to go for a hike at Prince William Forest while the snow was still hanging in the trees and the ground was not to disturbed.  I also thought it would be a great opportunity to take some pictures.  I have been to the park in spring, summer and fall of course, but never after a winter snow fall.

Compare the same bridge as seen during Spring and Winter.

When I arrived I found the park was indeed open but the visitor center was closed and the gate leading into the park interior was closed.  It made sense, who knows what the roads looked like inside the park, near the entrance they where at least plowed.  My bright idea of visiting the park was shared by many others that day as the lots had over a dozen cars.  I expected some people to be there, just not this many.  While hiking I ran into several people on the trail, most of them on cross country skies.  We don’t get much good snow fall in the area so they where taking every opportunity to get some skiing in.  Getting a relatively late start, the skiers and other hikers packed the snow pretty well so I didn’t have to hike through 6″ of virgin snow.  I was actually hoping to find a little that I could hike through, but as far as I went into the park someone had always been there before me.

great shot of the river, trail, trees and sky

For a couple of hours I walked several miles through the park.  I was amazed at just how quite the park was, very tranquil and serene.  There was no noise form other people, or cars and most of the animals were hunkered down for the day because of the snow.  Actually it was kinda fun at times I would see loops of animal tracks in the snow, but for the most part there was no sign of life.  The trails I took eventually dumped me off at the main road.  I thought taking the road back to my truck would be easier and shorter than walking back through the forest.  When I was able to look at a map it was the furthest from the truth.  I should have just backtracked on the trail.  It would have been much better scenery and I could have avoided all the cars that started to flood into the park when the main gate was opened.  Most of these genius didn’t take the time to drive slowly on the icy roads.

Having hiked in the snow only once before, this was definitely a lot of fun.  The last time there was only a dusting on the top of Robertson Mountain.  Sunday in Prince William Forest was 6″ of wonderful snow and a heck of a lot closers to my house.

wooden bridge

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What a strange weekend this turned out to be.  For weeks it has been raining on and off here in Northern Virginia, most weekends has been less than stellar when it comes to rain.  Some days it rained for 24 hour straight and days would go by without seeing the sun.  Not having hiked for several weeks I was determined to make a go of it this past weekend.  On Saturday I knew it might rain, but the forecast called for afternoon showers, so it was possible to get a hike in before the rain came.

I first had to stop by work for a few hours.  Rocky Patel was in town and he was doing a BBQ at our Potomac Mills location.  It was also a good excuse to get some food before I headed south on 95 to Prince William Forest.  By about 1 I left and 20 minutes later I was in the park.  I wanted to hike some place different this time and I had a lot of trail to choose from.  With 37 miles of trails there are still a lot for me to hike and explore.  As a matter of fact I have never been to the visitor center or the trails around it.

The visitor center provides a check-in, usually the main gate is not staffed, and has the largest parking lot in the park.  Large open areas with tones of picnic tables provide a great location for families and large gatherings, there is even a baseball field.  Many of the picnic tables are shade covered and provide the ideal setting for a summer afternoon picnic.  Here is where I decided to park and head out from, hiking down part of the Laurel Trail Loop and Birch Bluff Trail, finally ending back near the visitor center.

The trail itself is very much like the rest of the park, a classic piedmont forest trail.  There are trees and wildlife all around that provide both visual and audible stimulation.  With it still being spring and pretty cool out the birds where out in full force and despite my best efforts I couldn’t spot any in the trees, I certainly could hear them however.  One interesting land mark I found was a wooden bridge that lead across the creek connecting to the North Orenda Road.  This spot provided me with a wealth of pictures.  I attempted to shoot from every angle and both sides of the bank, using both my wide angel and zoom lens, in shade and sun.  There was just something about that bride being nestled in the forest that was a perfect setting.  I was fortunate enough to snap a few shots while a couple walked across, not sure if they knew I was there or not.

creek in the forest

When I got back to the visitor center I was not ready to head home, I had hoped the trails were longer.  I did find a small trail tucked in the woods right next to my truck that I hiked, the Pine Grove Forest Trail.  First thing I noticed was the trails surface, it was not dirt or wood but 6000 recycled tires.  Somehow they shredded all these old tires and glued them together to form a 4′ wide trail that snakes through the forest.  The trail was very comfortable to walk on, every step felt like I was walking on a mattress.  If you have joint problems this .2 mile hike is perfect for you.

This short trail highlights the three distinct sections of a piedmont forest and culminates with a large deck over looking a tiny creek.  The deck is on stilts and you feel like you are floating in the tree tops looking down on the forest floor.  The deck does provide a nice places to relax and watch nature with it’s many benches and tables.  I enjoyed some food here while I soaked up the sounds of nature all around me.

Another great hike in the forest.

signs of early spring

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It has been a long time since I have been to my old stomping ground, Prince William Forest.  With the first official day of Spring on March 20th I wanted to get out and experience nature as it starts to come alive.  Around my neighborhood trees are blooming along with all sorts of other plants in peoples yards, the grass is actually growing again too.  I was looking forward to those same signs of Spring in the forest.  Unfortunately I was a little disappointed by what I found.

The birds are definitely back in town, but not much else.  Most of the trees have yet to bud and wild flowers are non-existent in the forst.  One bright spot was the weather, it turned out to be a great day for hiking.  Just the slightest nip in the air, but after a half mile or so, the blood started flowing and I warmed right up.  All I needed was a nit hat and I was good to go.

a field of grass

On this trip I hiked down the old Pyrite Mine Road across the Quantico Creek, then up the North Valley Trail to the Quantico Falls Trail.  This brought me back to the main road for a short walk back to my car.  Most of this route follows the creek which provides great background noise while I walked.  The forest was still except for the birds signing and the creek flowing in the background.  The recent rain fall added to the flow and level of the creek.  Now and again I would head off path to take some photos.  One placed I hiked to was an open field with waist high grass and small grooves of young pine trees.  While walking along the trail I spotted this little area and was determined to explore it.  In fact it took a some effort to make it across the creek and over to the field.

I was hoping for more signs of spring on this hike, but I guess it is a little to early for the forest to be in full bloom.  I will certainly have to try again in a couple of weeks and see how things have come along.  I believe that next week I will travel to the Tidal Basin in DC for the Cherry Blossom Festival.  The cherry blossoms are suppose to peak between April 1st and the 4th, providing some spectacular shots.  So I might not be able to get back to Prince William Forest till the week after.

So here’s to spring!  I am so glad it is finally here, not get out there and get a little nature on you.

Prince William Forest entrance

Prince William Forest (map) you can call my local hangout when it comes to the outdoors.  I can’t tell you how cool it is to have a National Forest less than thirty minutes from my house.  When ever I want to do something outside but not spend all day doing it, this is where I head.  And since for the last few years I have been getting a National Park Pass, my entrance to the park is free.

When I started going here it was for the fishing.  Me and some friends would head down to the forest for a great afternoon of fishing.  This time around I was going for a hike in the woods.  I have hiked many of the trials, but very few of the ones way in the back of the forest.

Farms to Forest Trail

This time around I did the full loop Farms to Forest Trail.  At one time a portion of the trail was a farm with cleared land that the forest has since reclaimed.  The full loop follows a creek and comes back around through the forest.

While walking along the creek I took several off trail adventures, crossing the creek on dead trees.  I always like to just walk in the forest.  Yes the trails are nice, but it’s good to get off the beaten path sometimes.  You never know what you will find if you just open your eyes and look around.

Nothing super spectacular on this hike.  But it was a beautiful afternoon and felt good to get outside into nature for an afternoon.

wild mushrooms