2007 News
25 November 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
FTAS meets Dec. 3 7:30 pm McLean Gov. Ctr, 1437Balls Hill Rd, McLean.
The new Pimmit RUn Trail brochure will be available!
As usual, news of the CCT, Pimmit Trail, Potomac Heritage and other trails.
McLean Watersheds Meeting Nov. 29
Nov. 29 Middle Potomac Workshop (6:30 to 9:15 p.m.)
Please attend the Middle Potomac Watersheds Workshop on Thursday, Nov. 29 to provide input on the final draft of the watershed management plan for McLean's five community streams: Pimmit Run, Turkey Run, Scotts Run, Dead Run and Bull Neck Run. This public workshop is sponsored by the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division. The workshop is free and
everyone who lives, works or plays in the watershed should plan to attend! It will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Longfellow Middle School on 2000 Westmoreland Street.
The streams in the Pimmit Run, Turkey Run, Dead Run, Scotts Run and Bull Neck Run watersheds need your help! Fairfax County has made it a priority to restore the water quality of streams in our community. Come learn about the projects proposed for your community and provide comments! All ages are welcome to attend.
Agenda (held in the Longfellow Middle School Cafeteria)
6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Watershed information exhibits.
7:00 to 7:20 p.m. Find your watershed address.
7:20 to 7:30 p.m. Welcome from Fairfax County.
7:30 to 8:00 p.m. Watershed plan overview.
8:00 to 9:15 p.m. Learn about projects in the Pimmit Run, Turkey Run, Scotts Run, Dead Run, & Bull Neck Run watersheds.
This workshop is part of the county's watershed planning initiative and is coordinated in partnership with a local steering committee. Assistance is provided by the University of Virginia's Institute for Environmental Negotiation (IEN), Woolpert, Inc. and county staff. The project will complement existing efforts, such as the Chesapeake Bay Agreement. Registration is not required but would be appreciated.
To register by email send your name and address to middlepotomac@virginia.edu. For workshop information contact: Marissa Soule at 703.820.3840, x2110 or e-mail middlepotomac@virginia.edu. To learn more, visit the project Web site at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/watersheds and click on one of the five Middle Potomac Watersheds on the map.
Fairfax County is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of disability in all county programs, services and activities. Special accommodations will be provided upon request. For special accommodations contact the Fairfax County Stormwater Planning Division at 703-324-5500 (TTY 711).
9 November 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
Our Nov. 12 meeting has been canceled.
Next meeting is Dec. 3 usual time/place. (McLean Gov. Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd, 7:30 pm)
PIMMIT RUN BROCHURE
It is finished and ready for publication, thanks to the generous efforts of Charlie Willmott and of course, Ed Pickens. There are two versions, one for the upper half (above Highlands Swim) and the lower half. It is very professional looking and will be a huge boost for the Trail and FTAS.
The first public copies will be handed out at our Dec. 3 meeting, so mark your calendars.
CROSS COUNTY TRAIL
- Randy Kerr and MORE, working with Fx Co Park Authority, have done a beautiful reroute of the CCT south of Route 7. It stays on higher ground and will be much easier on the feet. You might want to check out the stonedust path just south of this reroute, that FCPA installed a few months ago, on the very wettest part (FTAS tried to install a boardwalk here last year, but it washed away).
- This week, a group including Randy and FCPA's Jenny Pate scouted out a volunteer reroute for the CCT between the Dulles Access Road and the tectonics bridge a little to the south. This is a notoriously wet area. The trail will follow park property along the base of the higher ground on the edge of the wetland.
- Last week, FTAS (Ed, Bill, Sue Wakefield), and FCPA met with Chairman Connolly. Ed and Rick Peterson of Clifton described their promising research towards a trail from Clifton to Fairfax Station, roughly following an abandoned railroad.
- Last week, Ric Francke and Bill visited Sen. Warner's staff, to update them on the Heritage Trail situation at Ft Belvoir. which has been dragging its feet. Connolly, Rep. Moran and Davis have already written letters of support to Belvoir. Connolly knows the leaders and has offered to go there and hike the trail with them. Warner's staff sounded very interested and will get back to us.
FCPA's ELLY DOYLE AWARDS NOV. 16
Several of the awards involve trails.
One of three Park Service Awards goes to Bill Niedringhaus
One of six Special Recognitions goes to Victor Litwinski, for heroic cleanup efforts on Pimmit Run and much else.
Another of the Special Recognitions goes to the Cross County Trail Volunteer Committee (Sue Wakefield, Robin Rentsch, Beverly Dickerson, Ed Pickens, Randy Kerr, and Bill N.)
The registration deadline has passed, but for more info try 703 324 8662.
ANNUAL TRAIL CAUCUS
This will probably be held on the last Monday in February, stay tuned.
14 September 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
The Opening Ceremony for the new Pimmit Run Trail Segment
from Old Dominion to Brookhaven is still on for Sept 15 at 3
PM. However, the NIMBY's are still active, have taken issue
with some of our attendees using the Balducci's parking lot,
and have got that shopping center manager
energized about us using their parking lot. So, please do not
park at Balducci's.
Coming from McLean center on Old Dominion toward Arlington)
Best places to park are:
Turn right on Holmes (which becomes Longfellow)
This runs along the south side of the shopping center.
2nd Best place is:
keep going down Old Dominion, across the Pimmit bridge,
left on Linway Terrace and quick
left on Mintwood
this is on the Arlington side of the Pimmit Run bridge on Old Dominion.
To reach the site from Old Dominion, hike the new segment downstream.
7 September 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
HIGHLIGHTS
Sat Sept 15 3pm Grand Opening—Pimmit Run Trail
Mon Sept 24 7:30 pm FTAS next meeting
Sat Sept 8 9am CCT Worktrip at Colvin Run
Directions: Take Hunter Mill Road 1/4 north of the Dulles Toll Road exit to a right on Crowell Road, continue straight on Crowell (and don’t follow the main road that turns right and becomes Browns Mill), then turn right on Westford Drive, then turn left on Wynhurst Ln and park in the cul-de-sac.
DETAILS
Sat Sept 15 3pm Grand Opening—Pimmit Run Trail
Please join us for ribbon cutting ceremonies at 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 15, 2007 as we mark the completion of a natural surface trail in Pimmit Run Stream Valley Park. For more information, please contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.
OFFICIAL INVITATION
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
and the Park Authority Board cordially
invite you to the opening of a new
section of natural surface trail located
within the Pimmit Run Stream Valley
Park. This community-initiated trail
was constructed by volunteers.
Join us for Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
on the Pimmit Run Stream Valley Trail
Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 3 p.m.
Light refreshments to follow.
For more information, please contact the
Public Information Office at 703-324-8662
Directions: From the McLean Square Shopping Mall,
located at 6643 Old Dominion Drive, cross at the
pedestrian crossing, turn to the right, and walk
approximately 300 yards along the sidewalk, and
cross Pimmit Run on the Old Dominion/Pimmit Run
pedestrian bridge. Turn right at the trailhead and
follow the signs to the event.
Sat Sept 8 9am CCT Worktrip at Colvin Run
CCT Volunteers - Below is the description of the work day this Saturday.
Note to the 15 of you that made our April workday a success - according to park ops we moved and spread approximately 4 tons of the larger stone (surge) and 6 tons of the small stone (21A). We should all be impressed with ourselves! This time they are able to get their equipment in to drop the stone to our work sites.
I hope you can come out and help. Randy
Subject: CCT worktrip, Sat, 9/8/07, 9:00 am
Saturday, September 8th, 2007, 9:00AM - We will be continuing our effort to build sustainable natural surface trail along the Fairfax Cross County Trail. After a successful effort north of Vale Road in April, we'll be moving to the popular section from Carpers Farm Road (near Route 7 and Colvin Run Mill) and headed south toward Browns Mill Road.
This section is notorious for its mud holes and drainage problems after any kind of wet period. To mountain bikers it's part of what is known as part of the Colts Neck loop and to equestrians it's the CCT connection between Rails to River trail and the W&OD. Our volunteer efforts are what make it possible to maintain these important sections as natural surface, single-track trail.
Projects will include three re-routes, armoring several drainage crossings and building raised trail. This time the park authority is delivering the stone out on the trail to our work areas! There will be clearing, pruning, moving and spreading stone - something for everybody.
Bring: As usual, water, gloves and sturdy shoes. MORE will provide tools. Extra wheelbarrows will probably still be helpful even though our material will be close at hand.
Directions: Take Hunter Mill Road 1/4 north of the Dulles Toll Road exit to a right on Crowell Road, continue straight on Crowell (and don’t follow the main road that turns right and becomes Browns Mill), then turn right on Westford Drive, then turn left on Wynhurst Ln and park in the cul-de-sac.
Info/contact: Randy Kerr, MORE CCT liaison, lerrkerr@aol.com, cell (703) 926-6779.
23 August 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
HIGHLIGHTS
FTAS meets Mon Aug 27, 7:30 pm: GoogleEarth and GPS for Pimmit Maps
Four stepping-stone Pimmit Crossings complete
Pimmit Run Opening Ceremony 9/15
Potomac Heritage Trail Ford Built
FTAS-ers Honored with Elly Doyle Awards.
DETAILS
FTAS meets Mon Aug 27, 7:30 pm: GoogleEarth and GPS for Pimmit Maps
We'll discuss creating Pimmit Run Trail brochures using Google Earth and GPS technology.
We have now GPS'd the whole route and superimposed it on an aereal map.
Meeting in the usual place, the McLean Govt Center, 1437 Balls Hill Rd.
Four stepping-stone Pimmit Crossings complete
The section from Old Dominion Drive to Brookhaven (Pimmit Bend Park) is finally open! Thanks to the work of many volunteers this summer, this beautiful section with four major stream crossings completes a stretch of trail from Olney Park to Bryan Branch Road.. Ed Pickens led the effort, and Victor Litwinski bolstered his reputation as boulder mover extraordinaire. The most impressive of the four fords is at the bamboo grove, where the Run is two feet deep and our crew had to stack the boulders three deep.
Trailheads: at Old Dominion, from the downstream and eastern bank (towards Arlington from the bridge): At Brookhaven, continue past the cul de sac, go under the power lines, and turn left on woodchips.
Pimmit Run Opening Ceremony
Now that such a major piece of the trail is open, it's time for a ceremony! Expected date is Sept. 15. Stay tuned for details.
Potomac Heritage Trail Ford Built
Near where Pimmit Run goes under the GW Parkway, PATC experts (including FTAS-ers Ed Pickens, Ric Francke, Bruce Glendening, BIll Niedringhaus and others) built a ford for the Potomac Heritage Trail, which continues to Ft. Marcy and Scotts Run Preserve. This effort uses much larger rocks than the four fords discussed above--up to 3 tons. They need to be big since the Run flows steeply and builds up a huge driving force in a storm. Volunteers used heavy duty winches secured to trees. By moving the lever 3 feet, one person could move the huge rock an inch. After 6 hours, the crew repaired the ford, and enjoyed lunch provided by Bruce Glendening and his wife.
FTAS-ers Honored with Elly Doyle Awards.
Two awards for Park Service volunteers in Fairfax County are of particular interest to FTAS. They will be presented at a ceremony on Nov. 16 in Fairfax (stay tuned for details)
1. The Cross County Trail Planning Committee (Ed Pickens, Robin Rentsch, Bev Dickerson, Sue Wakefield, Randy Kerr and Bill Niedringhaus). The Committee, led by FCPA's Jenny Pate has met every quarter for several years to iron out outstanding CCT issues. Now that the trail is open, the committee focuses on maintenance and improvements. Jenny Pate nominated the committee for the award.
2. Bill Niedringhaus, for his work over the past 10 years in conceiving the idea of the CCT and raising support/awareness for it. Gerry Connolly made the nomination.
10 July 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
HIGHLIGHTS
Pimmit Worktrip July 12 (Thursday) 5:15-8
Potomac Heritage Trail/Endurance Challenge Route Selected in No. Fairfax
DETAILS
Pimmit Worktrip July 12 (Thursday)
Fairfax Trails & Streams will have its second work day on 12 July, Thursday, from 5:15 PM to 8 PM to work on the uncompleted segments of the Pimmit Run Trail south of Pimmit Run between Old Dominion and Brookhaven. Volunteers should meet with Ed Pickens at the end of Brookhaven Road at 5:15 PM. Volunteers should wear long pants and long sleeve shirts as there will be some poision ivy, and bring heavy rakes, pick axes and pointed shovels if they have them.
Volunteers planning on coming: please contact Ed Pickens at pickens_slim@hotmail.com and/or 703-448-0415, so we can arrange to have the right number of tools. If we do not finish, we’ll schedule another worktrip on July 19.
Pizza will be served for all at the end of the work effort at the Brookhaven end of the trail.
Potomac Heritage Trail/Endurance Challenge Route Selected in No. Fairfax
In anticipation of the North Face Endurance Challenge (http://www.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge/) on August 4, Ric Francke (of Potomac Heritage Trail Assn and FTAS) has been working with the No. VA Regional Park Authority to establish a route for the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (PHNST) in NVRPA’s extensive park land between Riverbend Park and Lowes Island.
The PHTA has been working with North Face to set up routes for four races: 10km, half-marathon, 50 km and 50 miles, Obviously, it’s important the runners don’t lose their way. PHTA volunteers are offering to help. Independently, PHTA and North Face have put the entire route (plus many side loop trails to make up the required distance) on GPS, and compared notes.
The spine of the route follows the PHNST from Great Falls Park to Algonkian Park. The North Face runners, new to the DC area, had no trouble navigating most of these 12 miles. North of Riverbend Park, most of the route is marked by turquoise blazes painted by PHTA and NVRPA. The one hard-to-follow segment is near the Fairfax-Loudoun line (near the end of Seneca Road). The area is a maze of trails, originally equestrian, now becoming popular for hikers and dog walkers. It’s easy to get lost there.
NVRPA opted to route the PHNST near the river when possible. PHTA agreed to blaze the new route (in time for the race Aug 4) and to do extensive trail work to get the route in good shape—-including many hours of weed whacking. The official route is beautifully scenic, and avoids the rather monotonous gravel sewer road for the most part. NVRPA plans to build three or four new bridges across gullies on this route, over the coming months.
The PHTA and North Face have worked in close cooperation with Madeira School, which will provide parking and a shuttle bus for the racers. Madeira originally intended that the shorter races be on its own trail network, and the longer ones begin and end there, crossing into Great Falls Park. But an agreement could not be worked out with officials at GFP for the runners to ford Difficult Run.
The Aug. 4 races all begin and end at Great Falls Park.
2 July 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
HIGHLIGHTS
July 5,19,26: Help build Pimmit Run Trail
July 8: Hike the Potomac Heritage Trail
DETAILS
July 5,19,26: Help build Pimmit Run Trail
Fairfax County Park Authority has finally authorized Fairfax Trails &
Streams to construct the trail segment from Old Dominion Drive to
Brookhaven Road. For over 7 years, FTAS has been pushing to complete
this specific trail segment. Now is the time to prove that we really
care about the Pimmit Run Trail and will turn out to build this new
segment of the trail.
Volunteers are need on the following work days from 5:15 PM to 7:45 PM
on 5, 19 and 26 July to complete the construction of the new trail
segment from Old Dominion Drive to Brookhaven Road. If you can come
out, please let Ed Pickens know by email pickens_slim@hotmail.com or
703-448-0415 so he can sort out tools needed and pizza/drinks needed.
Wear long pants and bring a pointed shovel, pick axe and/or heavy rake
if you have it.
On 5 July, volunteers will be meeting at the bridge on Old Dominion
over Pimmit Run. Volunteers should park in Balducci's parking lot and
walk down to the meeting place at the bridge since there is no parking
near the bridge site. Meeting locations for the two other work days will be announced here soon.
JULY 8: HIKE THE POTOMAC HERITAGE TRAIL
Sun. July 8. Potomac Heritage Trail Hike. Enjoy reprise of moderately paced one-way woodland hike of 10 mi. from Riverbend Park in Fairfax Co. to Algonkian Regional Park in Loudoun Co. Highlights will include Lowes Island area and Potomac River rapids known as Seneca Breaks, as well as seeing trail’s development since we first did this hike two years ago (e.g., new bridge over Sugarland Run, so wading is no longer necessary). Meet at 9 am at Potomac Sportsplex parking lot at entrance to Algonkian Regional Park (sportsplex address: 20280 Cascades Pkwy., Potomac Falls). From there, we’ll carpool to trailhead at Riverbend. Call if carless or for directions to sportsplex. Joint event with AMC/DC and Potomac Heritage Trail Association. Leaders: Paul Elliott, 703/256-6351, and Glenn Gillis, 703/430-0468.
22 June 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
NEXT MEETING MON 6/26 7:30 pm
We will discuss a spurt of recent progress in completing volunteer progress on the Pimmit, Cross County and Potomac Heritage Trails.
ESULTS OF 6/4 PIMMIT TRAIL PLANNING MEETING
Thanks to all of you who came to our meeting on June 4. There was a good turnout of trail supporters. The Fx Co Park Authority gave a very good presentation on our plans to build the Pimmit Run trail from Old Dominion Drive to Brookhaven Drive. It will involve four stepping stone crossings built by FTAS volunteers. The trail will be open well before the end of summer. The Pimmit Run Trail will be complete from Brian Branch Road (off Linway Terrace) to Olney Park.
TRAIL REROUTING AT RIVERBEND PARK July 21
Please help reroute the Potomac Heritage Trail at Riverbend Park, to avoid an area with globally rare plants. Much of the work has been done (spearheaded by Mark Nelson of REI), but much remains and volunteers are needed. Saturday, July 21st at 8:30 AM. Please contact Jessie McKinney of Riverbend Park, at jesterpeil@yahoo.com.
25 May 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
Summary:
NO MAY MEETING
KEY PIMMIT TRAIL MEETING JUNE 4 8pm
The Fairfax County Park Authority is holding an information
only meeting on 4 June at 8 PM at the McLean Government Center
Community Room, 1437 Balls Hill Road to discuss the proposed
construction this summer of the section of the Pimmit Run
Trail from Old Dominion Drive to Brookhaven Drive.
Fairfax Trails & Streams' monthly May meeting next week is
canceled, and being replaced by the FCPA meeting on 4 June.
One of FTAS' primary goals over the last decade has been
getting this segment of the Pimmit Run Trail constructed.
Finally, this is going to happen this summer. Please come out
to the FCPA meeting on 4 June to find out about their plans
for the construction of this important section of the Pimmit
Run Trail. It is important that we the volunteers of FTAS show
up for this meeting in sizeable numbers to show the degree of
community interest in completing the Pimmit Run Trail.
26 April 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
Come out and join FTAS and MORE Sunday, April 29 at 9:30AM on the Fairfax Cross County Trail.
The work is on a beautiful, remote section of the CCT north of Vale Road. The trail winds through the trees along wetlands. This is currently the worst spot on the trail between Reston and Oakton and requires improvements in several locations to make the trail usable sooner after wet conditions.
The volunteer groups have been advocating for the past year to keep as much of CCT as natural as possible – in face of the pressures to build a highway width gravel and/or paved trail. Now we need your help to show what volunteers can do to build natural surface, sustainable trail in a challenging setting - without cutting down a 10' swath trees!
We'll primarily be placing stone and gravel in the crucial locations - come for the challenge, come back to enjoy the preserved trail another day.
Bring: As usual, water, gloves and sturdy shoes. The MORE tool chest will be there.
We will need additional wheelbarrows - please let me know if you can bring one.
Directions:
From Dulles Toll Road take Hunter Mill Road south, and right on Vale Rd.
From Route 123 take Hunter Mill Road north, and left on Vale Rd.
…then turn left on Valestra Ct and park near the corner.
Info/contact: Randy Kerr, MORE CCT liaison, lerrkerr@aol.com, cell (703) 926-6779
19 April 2007 Fairfax Trails and Streams E-newsletter http://www.fairfaxtrails.org/
Next meeting Mon. April 23, 7:30 pm, McLean Gov Ctr, 1437 Balls Hill Rd.
This is the most critical of FTAS's monthly meetings for the entire year. A tremendous amount of positive things have happened since our last meeting in February. Ed Pickens will discuss major breakthrough in volunteer opportunities. These include the Cross County Trail (notably in Oakton and Vienna), and the Pimmit Run Trail (notably Brookhaven to Old Dominion Drive) segment. We'll discuss volunteer projects and work plans through July, and developments relating to several other trails/issues.
Paul Elliott, author of the book "60 Hikes within 60 Miles" will be the guest speaker. Paul's book describes, tells how to find, and has maps for most of the major hiking opportunities within 60 miles of Washington, D.C.
If you can make only one FTAS Meeting for the year, come to this meeting if possible.
25 February 2007 Fairfax Trails and Stream e-newsletter www.fairfaxTrails.org
Semi-annual Pimmit Run Litter cleanup is Sat. March 24, 9-noon; backup date Sunday March 25. Volunteers needed! Please contact Ed Pickens at 703 448 0415 or pickens_slim@hotmail.com.
Article in todays (Sunday's) Wash Post on Potomac Heritage Trail.
- page C2, discusses huge abandoned boilers along the river below Donaldson's Run.
21 January 2007 Fairfax Trails and Stream e-newsletter www.fairfaxTrails.org
Join Fairfax Trails and Streams tomorrow evening, Monday, Jan 22, 7:30 pm, to discuss latest news from the Cross-County Trail, Pimmit Run trail, and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. 1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean Govt Center
Next meetings:
Mon. Feb 26 7:30 pm (McLean Govt Center)
Mon. Mar. 23 7:30 pm (Annual Trail Caucus, in conjunction with Fx Co Park Authority, at Green Springs Gardens, site of last year's CCT Caucus)
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