POTOMAC HERITAGE TRAILFEST

Saturday June 28, 2008 9am – 4pm

Host:  Fairfax County Park Authority

Sponsors:  REI and the Potomac Heritage Trail Association

In celebration of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, the Potomac Heritage Trailfest will take place at Fairfax County’s Riverbend Park between 9AM and 4PM on Saturday, June 28, 2008. The trailfest includes an outdoor expo, along with hiking, biking, horseback riding (on your own horse), and paddling with some of the most noted outdoor organizations in the Washington D.C. 

Trailfest Expo- Location: Riverbend Park is situated along the shoreline of the Potomac River in Great Falls, Va.  see below for directions to the visitor center and the nature center (and also to the Great Falls visitor center). 

Trailfest Hiking Events

Hike #1: Meet at 9AM at the Riverbend Park nature center for a 6 mile hike on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail from Riverbend to Great Falls and back. Leader: Paul Elliott 703/256-6351.

Hike #2: Meet at 2PM at the ramp below the Great Falls Park visitor center for a 6 mile hike on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail that includes Great Falls, Mather Gorge, and a stop at the Expo at Riverbend Park—and then back to Great Falls. Leader: Glenn Gillis 703/430-0568.

Both hikes are joint outings of the Sierra Club’s Sierra Potomac Outings entity (formerly MWROP) and the Appalachian Mountain Club’s D.C. chapter.

For further information check the websites www.sierrapotomac.org and www.amc-dc.org

Directions: To reach Riverbend Park from the direction of the Capital Beltway (I-495), take Georgetown Pike (VA 193) west to Riverbend Road. Turn right on Riverbend Road (first right after stoplight at the entrance to Great Falls Park). Proceed 2.1 miles and bear right on Jeffery Road . Travel 1.4 miles to the Riverbend Park entrance, and turn right on Potomac Hills Road. Proceed downhill to the parking lots near the park visitor center. Additional parking is available at the Riverbend nature center, which is reached by remaining on Jeffery Road (go past the main park entrance) until the road dead ends at the nature center parking lot. To reach Riverbend Park from the west, take Georgetown Pike (Route 193) and make a left on Riverbend Road. Follow the same directions as above.

Telephone: The telephone number for Riverbend Park is 703/759-9018. 

Refreshments: Although Riverbend Park does have limited drinks and snacks, it’s recommended that visitors bring their own food and beverage. Picnic tables are available near the visitor center. A large snack bar is available at nearby Great Falls Park.

Sponsors  

Potomac Heritage Trail Association: The Potomac Heritage Trail Association is one of the leaders in building and promoting the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The PHTA will have an information booth about the trail at the Expo near the Riverbend Park visitor center.

Recreational Equipment Inc (REI): One of the nation’s largest outdoor retailers with an excellent community outreach program will be holding a low impact camping and hiking demonstration table—and also have a Leave No Trace obstacle course—at the Expo near the Riverbend Park visitor center. REI will also sponsor a service project within Riverbend Park. Check www.REI.com/stores/84 for detailed information. 

Information on Other Trailfest Organizations

Appalachian Mountain Club: The nation’s oldest hiking organization will be running a hike from Riverbend Park to Great Falls Park and back with the Sierra Club. Leader: Paul Elliott 703/256-6351. Meet at 9AM at the Riverbend nature center parking lot. Check the AMC website at www.amc-dc.org for further information.

Great Falls Horse Network:  An online community for horse owners and riders in the Great Falls Va area.  Our goal is to keep Great Falls horse-friendly by promoting trails and public equestrian facilities at Turner Farm. Group website at www.greatfallshorsenetwork.com

Great Falls Trailblazers:  Great Falls Trailblazers is a hiking and equestrian group promoting multi-purpose trails throughout the Great Falls community. Check the group website at www.geocities.com/greatfallstrails

Mid -Atlantic Off- Road Riding Enthusiasts (MORE): The mid-Atlantic region’s largest mountain bike club will be offering a beginners mountain bike ride in the two parks. Check  http://www.more-mtb.org for additional information.  

Piedmont Environmental Council: The Piedmont Environmental Council is a major conservation organization that protects the Virginia Piedmont. The PEC will have an information booth at the Expo near the Riverbend Park visitor center. Check www.pecva.org for more information.

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club: The PATC has been the leader in trail work and other programs for the Washington D.C. area for the last 75 years. The PATC will have a booth at the Expo near the Riverbend Park visitor center. Check the PATC website at www.potomacappalachian.org for more information.

Potomac Conservancy: The Potomac Conservancy is dedicated to the environmental protection of the Potomac River watershed. The Potomac Conservancy will have an environmental expo at the Expo near the Riverbend Park visitor center. Check www.potomac.org for additional information.

Potomac Pedalers Touring Club: The nation’s second largest cycling club will be having a club ride that will stop at the Potomac Heritage Trailfest. Check the PPTC ride schedule for June 28 at www.bikepptc.org for details.

Riverbend Park:  Riverbend Park is Fairfax County Park Authority’s only riverfront park. Spanning 400 acres and boasting spectacular river views, wildflowers, birds as well as many multi-use trails. Website at  www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/riverbend 

Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (formerly MWROP): Sierra Club PRO will have an information table at the Expo site near the Riverbend Park visitor center, as well as conducting two hikes in Great Falls and Riverbend Parks with the Appalachian Mountain Club’s DC Chapter. For further information check the Sierra Club website at www.sierrapotomac.org.

Great Falls National Park: Although Great Falls Park is not officially part of the Potomac Heritage Trailfest, the National Park Service will be holding its own interpretive program throughout the day in celebrating the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. Check at the Great Falls Park visitor center for details. The public can also park  there ($5/vehicle entrance fee or NPS pass required), and then hike to Riverbend Park to enjoy the Trailfest at Riverbend Park.