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This roughly 3 mile loop occured on Friday, October 24, 2025 at Prince William Forest Park near Triangle, VA. It was just me on this one.
I tweeked my right knee while working on a church project a week or so ago. Therefore, I was apprehensive about doing a hike on it. My right knee didn’t hurt but kept “clicking” when I walked. So I decided to hike on it and see what happened.
The time was 8:55 when I started this hike at Parking Lot D at Prince William Forest Park near Triangle, VA. The temperature was 38 degrees. This loop consisted of the Pyrite Mine RD, a section of the North Valley Trail, the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine Trail and returning on a section of the Pyrite Mine RD.
It’s hard to believe that I used to hike this route when I was a volunteer trail maintainer in this park over 9 years ago. And it’s also amazing that I had done this loop at least a hundred times since the early 1990’s. And what really floored me today was that the the blazes on this series of trails that I painted in 2017-18 are still showing on these trees and they still look good.
On this hike I took my time since my knee was not hurting but just not feeling right. I walked a mile on the Pyrite Mine RD down to Quantico Creek North Branch. I crossed over the creek, then turned left onto the North Valley Trail. I passed the ruins of the former Pyrite Mine Commissary. It was difficult to spot as the foliage has taken it over. I took a break at the Pyrite Mine Overlook. You can’t see anything from this overlook now as the foliage has totally obscured the ruins of the former pyrite mine processing plant.
I then passed one of four former mine shafts for the old mine, crossed back over Quantico Creek North Branch, then turned left onto the Cabin Branch Pyrite Mine Trail. This would be a half mile up that passed more Pyrite Mine Ruins. I noticed a number of improvements to the trails and parking areas while doing this hike. Hat’s off to the National Park Service.
After I got to the top of this half mile trail, I turned right and did the final half mile back to the scenic drive and my vehicle. My knee was swollen but felt OK. It was 11:00 AM when I drove home. The temps had climbed to 55 degrees during that time. The leaves were not yet at peak. I’d give it another five days. And I only saw one male runner and one lady with her dog during this hike.
So I’m glad that I finally got out to do some hiking. I plan to do a lot more in 2026 as I am very out of shape. But I’m grateful that I was able to get out today and enjoy this beautiful place- Prince William Forest Park.
Mike C
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