HIT THE TRAIL Local walks to enjoy
Peaceful Mason Neck State Park
March 9: 10AM—HIT THE TRAIL WITH NOVADOG Group Hike. Bring your friends—2- and 4legged! Meet up with other dogs and dog lovers to explore Mason Neck State Park and hopefully see some bald eagles. Meet at Mason Neck Park at the BAY VIEW TRAILHEAD at 10AM for a fun and furry hike. Dogs are permitted on a 6 ft flat leash. We’ll have prize drawings and everyone who attends will receive a free 1-year mailed subscription to NOVADog Magazine. ($19 value). See you there!!
By Carol B r ooks
Y
ou and your dog will discover a winter
great views is the Bay View trail. If you want to
paradise in dog-friendly Mason Neck State
see bald eagles, go in the morning before 11:00
Park, located 20 miles from Washington,
when they are actively hunting; Ranger Ingramm
DC, in southern Fairfax County, VA. Once called Dogg’s Island after the Dogue Indians who inhab-
spotted 56 eagles the day I was visiting. On winter weekends, you and your well-
ited the area before English settlers discovered
behaved dog can warm up inside the visitor
it, this gem of a park offers options for every level
center and get information about the park. The
of hiker, including a wooded .9-mile gravel trail
visitor center is closed on weekdays November-
appropriate for accompanied wheelchair and
March, but you can learn much about the park
stroller users.
and trails at the electronic information station
Known best for its bald eagle sightings and
outside the front door. The park maintains more
Bill and Mary Burnham with Coco, Authors of Best Hikes Near Washington, DC and other trail guides.
After completing the short Wilson Spring trail,
magnificent water views, this 1,800+ acre state
than 5 miles of unpaved hiking trails with a kiosk
I turned onto the very easy and wide Dogue trail,
park, owned by the George Mason family in the
at some trailheads where you can pick up a park/
which is a loop hike appropriate for strollers and
18th century, was slated for development into
trail map. The trails are well marked and easy to
wheelchairs, then followed the adjacent multi-use
a high-density planned community in 1965.
follow, with colorful signposts directing you to
hard surface path back to my car near my starting
Thanks to a group of dedicated citizens, the
possible destinations.
point for a total of about 2.5 miles. The best way to
development was blocked, and the land is now
I parked near the visitor center, but you can
explore this park is to make your own hike. All of the
managed to protect and support the habitats
choose from two other parking areas to get closer
trails are fairly easy with few surprises, so figure the
of bald eagles, hawks, and over 200 species of
to the trails. With a trail guide in hand, I followed
distance you want to go and enjoy!
birds.
the park ranger’s suggestion and started my hike on the Bay View trail. This is an easy launch-
Getting There
this park, I jumped at the chance to move out of
ing point for anyone new to the park because
Use your favorite map system to go to 7301 High
my “park comfort-zone” and review a place I’d
it is close to the visitor center, bathrooms, and
Point Road, Lorton, VA 22079. ND
never seen before. This park has much to offer,
Belmont Bay, where you are most likely to see
including guided hikes and events you and your
eagles. To get to the Bay View trail, follow a
dog can attend together, yet it’s surprisingly quiet
gravel path along the bay and to the left of the
and low-key.
visitor center. It crosses a boardwalk and then
When a NOVADog reader suggested I review
Park Ranger Marc Ingramm said the best
goes left and uphill to an open grassy area and
time to visit Mason Neck State Park is in the
parking lot. The Bay View trailhead sign is on the
wintertime, and the best wintertime trail for
opposite side of this area and to the right. The Bay View trail follows the Belmont Bay
About Your Guide Carol Brooks is co-owner of DogOn Fitness, a daily exercise service for dogs. She specializes in high-energy and overweight dogs, providing them with working walks, running, adventure hikes, training reinforcement, and more. Headquartered in Reston, DogOn Fitness services Northern Virginia and Montgomery County, MD. Visit them on the Web at www.dogonfitness.com.
Don’t like to hike alone?
Join us for our monthly group trail hikes and F.I.T. Clinics. Find out more: www.facebook.com/DogOnFitness.
shoreline, and elevated boardwalks cross over quiet marshlands. Sounds of shorebirds break through the quiet, and your dog will likely alert to the scents of other residents: deer, foxes, bobcats, and many busy squirrels. Within a half mile, you’ll come to a signpost with multiple options for continuing your hike.
TRAIL SPECIFICS
Park Hours: 8 a.m. to dusk. $2 (weekday) $3 (weekend) fee. Visitor center is open all week AprilOctober and on weekends and some holidays in November-March. Please check the website for more information:www.dcr.virginia.gov/state_parks/ mas.shtml. What To Bring: Wear comfortable waterproof shoes. Bring water for you and your dog, poop bags, binoculars, and a camera. Trail Specifics: Distance 1.0 – 5.0+ miles. You plan your own hike. Time: 30-minutes to several hours, depending on your choice of trails.
One option is to continue on the Bay View trail
Fido Friendly Features: Off-street parking, fun dog-safe trails, frequent trash bins, and water access.
to complete an easy 1-mile hike. I opted to
Use: Hikers, runners, birders, on-leash dogs.
follow the half-mile Wilson Spring trail to the
Best Time to Go: Wintertime mornings for best bald eagle viewing.
Dogue trail. The Wilson Spring trail is wooded, with low rolling terrain and abundant, large holly
Rated: 1 paw (very easy)
trees that offer a spring-like splash of green that stands out against the winter backdrop. I imagine it would be stunning with snow on the ground.
1 paw = easy; 5 = expert
www.novadogmagazine.com
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