Meh, I live adjacent to Rock creek Park. I think the article is a little misleading. Perhaps in 1990 this trail was impressive but now the trail is too narrow, rutted, and dangerous for most. The southern end towards the monuments is little more than a sidewalk full of tourists. WABA has been trying hard for years to get NPS to make trail improvements - I think we've been stuck at the environmental assessment phase for 2-3 years.

With that said, it still is popular on the weekends when NPS closes 6 miles of the road to cars.