This roughly 2.2 mile loop hike took place on Wednesaday, December 4, 2024. It was just me on this one.
I arrived at the Mathews Hill trailhead parking on Sudley RD in Manassas, VA around 11:00 AM. The temperature was in the high 30’s when I arrived. It had been awhile since I hiked this loop. Portions of this trail were built about 15-20 years ago. They expanded the borders of this park to border a horse farm and extend to Poplar Ford Trail. This is not a trail but a road going to various farms. Very confusing.
The first trail that I hiked was a horse trail that went north. It was about .5 miles long. It bordered some farm fields and then a horse farm. There were side trails going to these places. The trail was relatively flat and was blazed yellow. I saw a few horses on the horse farm. The trail then came to an open field and then a three way intersection.
The trail to the left went to Poplar Ford Trail RD. The trail to the right is where I went. It was about .25 miles. This entire loop was dual track. My mind tends to wander when doing these hikes. I realized that I have been hiking in this battlefield since 1988. That’s 36 years. Amazing! I hope that I can still hike here at 40 years!
I turned right onto the First Manassas Trail. It was 1.25 miles long and blue blazed. It was meandering and rolling. Along the way I passed the Carter Cemetery and a monument of some sort. I didn’t stop to look at it and forgot what it was. I was also passed by a runner. This was the only other person that I saw on this hike. There were some strange boards across the trail. I know that they were water diversion devices. But they were tripping hazzards.
When I got to a mowed, open area I turned right and followed the treeline. This stretch was only about .2 miles. I then saw my vehicle and the hike was over. I didn’t really hike over Mathew’s Hill but hiked north of it. It was 12:36 when I I got back to my vehicle. The temperature was then 43 degrees. It was cold but I was dressed properly and glad that I was able to get outside today.
Mike C
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