Reston WO&D - Difficult Run rail

[dcbikeguy]

Does anyone know exactly here to catch the Difficult Run Trail off of the WO&D in Reston? I have poked around a little and it seems right off Hunter Mill Road...but where?

I know that intersection is at mile 14.75ish of the trail from Shirlington, seems like a great out and back from my place in Old Town. Maybe even a loop if I can figure out a way to get south from Great Falls.

Any help would be appreciated - thanks.

[cc_rider]

If it's the one I'm thinking of, they combined part of it with the Cross County Trail.
Makes a triangle with the W&OD as the short side.

One connection is at the end of Micheal Farraday Court, the little single track between the commercial properties. Runs over a ridge, along a stream valley and into one of the back camping areas of Lake Fairfax. Somewhere in the park is another trail that goes to Colvin Run Mill, but the park people don't seem to know where it is and I've never managed to find it.

The other connection is west of the bridge over Difficult run. Follow the CCCT signs. The trail next to the W&OD descends towards the stream, then goes north. It appears to end at an open field, but there is a trail entrance at the far side of the field. That is the one that is supposed to continue to Colvin Run Mill.

I think that trail used to be called the Dranesville Triangle (saw a 1930's vintage map of it once).
I've been planning to try the whole loop one of these days.
Post how it turns out.

[cc_rider]

Found something that might help

http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/difficul.html

[dcbikeguy]

Thanks CC. I came across that link as well.

Here is another good one...some reviewers go into nice detail.

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-virginia/trail/PRD_170742_4585crx.aspx

I don't get out onto the WO&D all that often - what I was hoping for was a landmark or two to watch out for. I think with some strategic googlage and some of these landmarks I should be able to find it. Hate to have to go over to the MB forum :)

[cc_rider]

If mtb trails are what you're looking for, have you been out to Wakefield Manor and Lake Accotink?

[dcbikeguy]

If mtb trails are what you're looking for, have you been out to Wakefield Manor and Lake Accotink?

I took my mountain bike with me down to Williamsburg last weekend, had an absolute blast at York River State Park...some local action would be sweet.

I've heard good things about Wakefield Park, nothing about Lake Accotink. As a road guy, it seems weird to pack up my bike in the car to drive somewhere to ride - which is why I was trying to find some sort of trail that I can cycle to.

I hope to make it out to the WO&D next week sometime to find the Difficult Run. If not then, it has to wait till June - work is ramping up hard, will be on the road soon.

[cc_rider]

Difficult Run is pretty easy to find. It's the longer of the bridges between Vienna and Hunter Mill Road, and closest to HM.

Wakefield Manor has the "official" mtb trails along the stream and power line easement. A really nice set to choose from. At the south end of Wakefield is a gravel trail that goes under Braddock Road and around Lake Accotink. Along the south side of the lake (just past the dam) are some "unofficial" single tracks. There is also a very challenging stretch of the Cross County Trail, heading east towards Franconia.

If you are cycling out from DC to Difficult Run, cycling to Wakefield would be no problem. There is a road route thru Annadale I've used a few time (can give you details), or W&OD to Vienna then the Fairfax Connector Trail and Accotink Trail to Wakefield is a nice ride. (My office is just off the Fairfax Connector and I might ride down to Accotink later today.)

[dcbikeguy]

Difficult Run is pretty easy to find. It's the longer of the bridges between Vienna and Hunter Mill Road, and closest to HM.

Wakefield Manor has the "official" mtb trails along the stream and power line easement. A really nice set to choose from. At the south end of Wakefield is a gravel trail that goes under Braddock Road and around Lake Accotink. Along the south side of the lake (just past the dam) are some "unofficial" single tracks. There is also a very challenging stretch of the Cross County Trail, heading east towards Franconia.

If you are cycling out from DC to Difficult Run, cycling to Wakefield would be no problem. There is a road route thru Annadale I've used a few time (can give you details), or W&OD to Vienna then the Fairfax Connector Trail and Accotink Trail to Wakefield is a nice ride. (My office is just off the Fairfax Connector and I might ride down to Accotink later today.)

Oh really. Sweet. I'm going to check out Wakefield for sure - I actually live in Del Rey. I would hop over 395 on the footbridge and catch the WO&D at its southern terminus, then putter out to Vienna. Are the Fairfax Connector and Accontink trails obvious? I should be able to spot Difficult Run on the way.

Thanks again CC.

[cc_rider]

Del Rey, eh? I ride thru there often. Last weekend I did a boundary stone ride from Falls Church to Old Town, and came back up Commonwealth to 4MR.
(Love those hills up Braddock and Mount Ida :D )

The Fairfax Connector isn't hard, but it isn't obvious. From W&OD go across the front of the Vienna Community Center and down Mill St. R on Center, L on Locust, L at s.s. on Courthouse, cross Nutley at t.l., L into Nottaway park, at the end go into left hand parking lot and onto trail at end of lot. Changes to street, go past Vienna Metro, over I-66, at s.s bear R to get to trail thru woods (down in gully). Cross at t.l at Lee Highway (diagonal) and pick up trail thru woods.
Map might help http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/images/tapawingo.jpg

To get to Accotink - when this trail crosses a park road at the ball field, go L on this road to route 50. Cross 50 and go L. Switch to service road at light. Accotink trail head is in the woods on the right. From here about 4 miles to Wakefield, 18 mile r/t around the lake.

added -
here's a more direct route from Del Rey to Wakefield
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1832932
There is a footbridge over the B'way.