CMPG Outing to Great Falls, MD - 17 May 2014

The next CMPG outing on Saturday May 17th 2014 will visit the Maryland side of the Great Falls National Park. The park is open during daylight hours and the barrier is usually up even in the early morning (not like the VA side that only opens at 8am or so).

The address for the Visitor center is: 11710 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD 20854
Meet at the Rt 100 Park & Ride lot at 8am and I'll meet everybody in the parking lot at Great Falls by 9am.

There are opportunities for landscape and waterfall photography as well as historic locks, wildflowers and wildlife. The trails provide different levels of difficulty and we will pick routes that are comfortable (or challenging if requested) for everybody - opportunities exist for a nice walk along the gravel towpath up to a rock scramble along the side of the Potomac (Park Brochure: http://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/upload/GF-Map-Page-2.pdf). 

Please wear sturdy shoes, preferably hiking boots that reach above the ankle. Bring plenty of water and a packed lunch. Of course don't forget a sufficient number of charged batteries and memory cards and all camera gear you can carry.

For any questions, setting up a meet around sunrise or the shuttle hike please e-mail me Kirsten - Please do not reply to this events e-mail!

Directions to the upper parking lot from MD and I495: Take exit 41 (Carderock /Great Falls, MD), follow Clara Barton Parkway to the end. At the stop sign, turn left onto MacArthur Blvd. Follow MacArthur approximately 3.5 miles into the park. MacArthur Blvd. ends at the park.
As the map shows, you'll reach the Angler's parking lot first and it will be signposted. The actual park with the visitor center is some ways further up the hill.