DC Metropolitan Hikers

NEW MEETING PLACE!!
we will start at the bathroom temple on 15th st- Due east (towards capital) from Washington monument. WASHINGTON LODGE.
We will visit some of the lesser known spots as well as the usual highlights.
This is an easy, though fast, walk around the mall. Route varies, but walk may include Washington monument, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials, MLK memorial, tidal basin, Signers memorial, and my favorite, the Roosevelt memorial.
Many people feel that the mall is at its most beautiful at night with the monuments lit.
We walk fast, this is not a stroll.
This is a walk- not a sightseeing tour. We stop very briefly, if at all, at the monuments, then move on.

Where to Meet: bathroom temple on 15th st- Due east (towards capital) from Washington monument.
We leave 6:15 sharp. Please be a few minutes early.
Difficulty: Easy, although we do walk fast. If you can’t stay with the group I assume you can find your way back on your own.
Distance: 5-6 miles
Duration: 1.5 hr
Scenery: National monuments, tourists, geese, pigeons.
Trail surface: Some gravel, paving, some mud.
Facilities: There are rest room facilities at various spots, we will stop as needed.
Park Fees: none
Elevation Gain: 4 feet
Dogs: No
Metro: Smithsonian stop. Blue, Silver, Orange lines.
There tends to be metered parking on Jefferson drive that opens up right at 6.
Bringing a flashing light can be helpful.

We will be hiking along the historic Alexandria waterfront down and through scenic Old Town to the Wilson bridge and back.
Lovely views of the river, as well as of Old Town.
Part of the walk is on the Mount Vernon Trail bike path.

Hike is mostly flat, and on paved surfaces or board walk.
Please note the hike leaves at 600 PM sharp.

There are bathrooms at the halfway point.
Meet at the small parking area closest to the bike path. First left on Marina Drive. Not the large marina parking area that is further along.
We walk pretty briskly around 3.4-3.8 miles an hour. I assume if you can’t keep up, you can always find your way back to the starting point.
Hope you can join our group of stalwart regulars and cheery newcomers.
Happy hiking.
Most of the walk has street lights, but not all so, but bring a light.