This 4 moderate mile loop hike took place on Monday, November 11, 2024. There were 12 participants, it was sponsored by
Greater Prince William Trails Coalition
and was led by Neil Nelson.
I decided to join this hike on Sunday, November 10., 2024. So I signed up and showed up at the Turkey Run Education Center within Prince William Forest Park around 12:30 PM. Various hikers then showed up as well as hike leader Neil Nelson. Neil showed us a map of where we were going to hike on a nearby kiosk, then we started the hike around 1:10 PM. Temps were in the 70’s.
This was a counter clockwise loop hike. We started by walking north along the Old Blacktop fire road for about .2 miles. We then turned left onto the Little Run Loop trail and hiked that west for .4 miles. I am guessing that we crossed Turkey Run along this stretch though I couldn’t confirm this on two different maps.
When we got to the Taylor Farm fire road (the park map didn’t show this connection) we turned left and hiked this old road south for about .75 miles. I had some interesting conversations along the way with various participants of this hike. At the southern end of this old road we turned left onto the South Valley Trail and proceeded east. Two of the participants turned back around this point.
We hiked east along the South Valley Trail for about about a mile. This trail crossed under the scenic drive. This trail also had a lot of rocks and elevation changes. I have never been that fond of it. A
consultant’s report made for this park in 2019
recommended that all trails along the north and south forks of Quantico Creeks be moved 50 feet away from these creeks due to erosion. I can’t wait for them to move this trail further away from the creek. It will be easier to hike when it is on top of the ridge.
After about a mile we reached the intersection with the Turkey Run Ridge Trail. So we turned left and headed north again. According to our hike leader Neil, we had hiked 2.7 miles. So we had about 1.3 miles to go. This trail was a steady up for about .2 miles, then level for about .2 miles, then a slight sown for .2 miles. We then again intersected the scenic drive.
At this point I decided to break away from the group and hike the scenic drive and the Turkey Run Ridge RD back to our starting point. Why? Because I knew that the next .7 miles would have numerous 100 foot climbs and decents. I was tired and didn’t want to go through that. So I hiked the scenic drive back to the Turkey Run Ridge RD, then took Turkey Run Ridge RD back to my vehicle.
I took a break on a guard rail while ascending a hill on the Scenic Drive. I must have looked like hell because a guy in a pickup truck drove past me, turned around, drove back to me and asked if I needed any help. I thanked him and said that I was OK.
So I arrived back at our vehicles about five minutes before the group. I got in my vehicle and started to leave. The rest of the group was just coming off of the trail. I rolled down my window and said “Who says that cheaters never prosper?” I thanked Neil for a good hike and I went home.
This was a great day for a hike. And a great day to honor our veterans.
Mike C
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