Maryland’s Great Falls Park, located just 10 miles upstream from
Washington DC, makes for a great day excursion into a land of stunning natural
beauty and great geological significance.
One of the park’s most spectacular features is its series of
20-foot falls enclosed by dramatic
cliffs bordering Maryland and Virginia. Crashing with fury over a series of
steep, jagged rocks, the Potomac River descends rapidly as it flows through the
narrow Mather Gorge on its way to the Chesapeake. The sheer drop, which covers 77
feet in less than one mile, makes Great Falls one of the steepest fall lines in
the eastern United States.
There are many vantage points from which to view the falls. For
visitors looking for a short walk from the parking lot, there is the Great Falls Overlook on Olmsted Island.
Perched high on the rocks in the middle of the Potomac, the overlook platform
provides spectacular views on the river as it crashes over the bedrock. The
overlook is reached via a boardwalk that passes through protected forest then
over a series of bridges that arch high over the water. The overlook is one of
three located within a five to ten minute walk from the parking lot.
Miles of hiking trails also border
the falls area. The Billy Goat Trail,
popular with hikers since the mid-1800’s, is located on Bear Island and is made
up of three separate trails designated A, B and C. The 7-8-mile circuit cuts a
path between the C&O Canal and Potomac River and features lots of rock
scrambles as well as spectacular views. Section A is more strenuous while
Section B is more moderate. Section C is an easy walk through a mostly wooded
area. The trail is accessed from the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center.
Other lesser-known hikes include the easy Falls Road Spur, which passes by the remains of the Maryland Mine
(a gold mine from 1868-1939.) The more moderate Ford Mine Trail leads over streams and up into the hills to the
mine, while the Gold Mine Loop takes
you into the heart of the gold mine tract. The short River, Valley and Woodland
Trails wind through floodplain forests and open valleys passing prospectors’
trenches and the remains of Civil War dirt defenses known as earthworks.
Great Falls Park is part of an 800-acre park including dense
forests, swampland, ponds and streams. In addition to the falls, the park
offers miles of hiking trails near and along the gorge as well as other popular
outdoor activities, including white water rafting. Great Falls is operated by
the National Park Service and is open daily from 7am to dusk. The park is
closed Christmas Day. There is a small snack bar located near the main parking
area.
Posted by Carole Funger
#greatfallspark #hiking #billygoattrail #DC #washington
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