Outbound Hound - Travel Unleashed

Riverbend Park

Time: 1.5 hours (depending on your route)

Length: ~3 miles – I think?

Gear: daypack – water – leash – map

Difficulty Level: 2 paws

Scenery: 4 paws

Pack: You and your dog

Comments: Only saw one bike and that was on the paved path; dog owners were some of the most responsible I have come across. The handful of dogs were well behaved and completely in control – bliss!

Before the thought of winter even enters our consciousness, I decided I wanted to get to know some nearby parks that might be great options when the mercury dips into Karma’s favorite season. So we chose Riverbend Park in Fairfax County which is adjacent to the more famous Great Falls Park.

The park covers 409 acres of wooded uplands, hiking trails, flood plains and shoreline along the Potomac River on the Virginia side. In the summer, the hike was mostly shade, but in the winter I expect a much different, sunnier, story. The paths are in great shape and well traveled with a mix of mostly dirt, some pavement, gravel and a few rocky places. There is a visitor center complete with toilets, phones, water, picnic areas and, during the week, information desk.

Pretty much everywhere we stopped to enjoy the river, we were getting an eyeful of beautiful scenery. A great place for photographers and wanna-be photogs alike!

The park opens at 7a in the summer and closes around dark/8:30p. Karma and I started at 8a knowing the August day would heat up and Karma would melt! On this hike I decided to try out his RuffWear Swamp Cooler. It looks like a small lifejacket. Basically it works by using water to absorb the heat and keep the dog cooler. Without being able to get a verbal report from Karma, the vest seemed to help as he actually didn’t take any rests (or flop-downs) and didn’t overheat. Reviews on the product remind users to keep the vest “activated” which really means keeping it wet. Not a problem!

We started out at the visitors center and headed out on the loop going counter-clockwise or left if you’re standing at the visitors center looking at the river. My intention was to follow the 4.8 mile loop starting with the shortest length along the Potomac, turning upland, then finishing along the long part of the river hike.

I should have gone right.

The trail was great, but even with the map, I stayed too long on the river trail when I should have headed upland. Don’t get me wrong, the trail is fantastic and Karma loved the many opportunities to go for a dip! But there was an opportunity to turn left/inland/upland along a fire road and we should have taken it. So after realizing that’s what I should have done, we doubled back and picked up the fire road and headed through the woods.

So basically I took what should have been the short end of the loop and made it long. Nice. But contrary to what the books say, I really didn’t think it’s that well marked – obviously. Oh well.

We headed thorough the woods enjoying the scenery – I am always surprised at how many awesome trails are in this area, just minutes from malls and the hells of traffic tie-up. Virginia is awesome.

On our way back around, we walked by the nature center and then cut across the loop essentially to return to the visitors center instead of continuing towards Great Falls and Clay Pond which marks the point where the two loops meet. Since I had already hiked more than I meant to, I didn’t feel comfortable doing the rest of the loop now that it was getting hotter and Karma can only take so much heat. So we made it back to out starting point 1.5 hours after beginning.

Back at the visitors center, Karma got to swim and hang out in the water much to his delight. By the time we left, traffic was increasing and fishermen were scattered along the river, but it was not crowded like the neighboring Great Falls Park – I assume because it’s not a tourist area.

I LOVED this hike and vow to return and get it right so that I can really learn it. I think this is a great suburban option and will be a winter hike because only in a few places could rocks become slippery in wetter weather. Plus with all the water opportunities for Karma, I feel like I can keep him from getting too hot, even in the summer.