I slept fitfully Sunday night. Downpours interrupted my sleep at times. When I awoke the next morning, I had one thing on my mind: to get into Rock Creek Park and hike along the Black Horse Trail before people arrived.
I had given up walking this trail because it has become so popular. Not all hikers are vigilant about social distancing, which adds to the stress. But I set off late and didn’t get to the first part of my journey – the Soapstone Valley Trail – until around 10:30 a.m.
It was the best I could do, given my level of distraction – another symptom of my Covid-19 anxieties. To my relief, I did not meet a soul on the trail. But there was the challenge of getting across the stream crossings beyond Audubon Terrace.
I decided not to attempt the first crossing. Instead, I bushwacked down the stream bed to find an easier way. The only disadvantage to this narrower crossing was that the water was rushing much faster here than it was upstream.
On the other hand, I thought to myself (rather melodramatically), what is risk these days? So I took the leap and made it safely across.
On the other side, the trail was waterlogged but nothing my waterproof shoes couldn’t handle. Then came the second crossing.
Here, too, some of the stepping stones were just beneath the surface of the water but still made for an easy crossing.
The last crossing before Broad Branch Road was the most challenging of all. Here, I slipped into deeper water that crested over the tops of my shoes. My feet got a bit wet, but I pressed on.
I followed Broad Branch Road to Beach Drive. Although Mayor Bowser had announced by then that Beach Drive from Broad Branch north would be closed to car traffic through April 30th, I did not believe it until I saw it.
I then clambered onto Black Horse Trail, following it north along Rock Creek. I immediately saw two invasive plant species. I worried that they were getting the upper hand – a feeling that was too similar to my worries about our invading virus.
After I crested the hill, I could hear rushing water below, and a cardinal singing in the background. Further along, the impact of the overnight downpours was quite apparent.
On the woodland floor, I spotted some cancer root, which despite its name does no harm. It’s a parasitic plant that produces no chlorophyll. It instead feeds off roots of other trees, especially oaks.
And here, amid the pale green, newly budded-out leaves, the water-darkened tree trunks, and the churning rapids of the rain-swollen creek, I stood mesmerized. My anxieties finally drained away.
My step became lighter, and I was delighted to see than only one tree trunk had come down across the path. And, that it was festooned with turkey tail mushrooms.
The rapids drew me even closer and became almost hypnotic.
The water was so high at Joyce Bridge that it looked like it would be very difficult for a kayaker to get through.
Turning off this trail, I enjoyed the natural wood sculptures on the path to the Rock Creek Horse Barn. This overturned tree stump made quite a statement.
I almost made it home dry, but a downpour hit as I was plodding up Davenport Street.
It was well worth the soaking.
Jane Thery says
Great report!
What do you think of pushing broad Branch Road to be single lane one way? The road could include bike/walk path and the edge by the creek fixed up for better water management. Plus there would be less traffic on that sensitive land.
Barbara Kraft says
What a lovely description. We readers were almost there with you. Thank you.
Mary Beth says
Thanks Marlene, that was a beautiful piece! Hopefully one lingering aspect of COVID19 is our renewed gratitude for the magnificence of nature in our Forest Hills backyard. Hope your boots have dried out and you’re ready for another Rock Creek adventure soon!
Charlie says
A single one-way lane might work. We need to do something for the bikers and pedestrians along that road because somebody is going to get killed there sooner or later if we leave it as it is. Would you make the single lane northbound, southbound, or reversible?
Jane Thery says
I think Broad Branch Road could go either way. The car lane would be next to the driveways so maybe south bound would be more natural re driving on the right.
Alice Stewart says
Thanks for recounting this beautiful morning outing. The author seems to be blessed in equal measures as a writer and photographer. How lucky for us that she took the time to share the experience with those of us who are only able to enjoy such an outing vicariously. Reading this gave me the sense of not being confined.. what a thrill! I am moved to renew my contribution to the Forest Hills Connection.
Tony Domenico says
Thank you for the wonderful pictures and commentary. I could almost feel my self going along with you on the journey
Ann Matheson says
Delighted to read your description of your hike. I’m new here and have only been on Melvin Hazen (?) once but Soapstone several times. Now I know what lies upstream from here. And what to look for on my next hike! Thank you
E. David D Luria says
Way to go, Marlene, a great story to take our minds off the crisis: back to Nature! And the pictures are good too! Low and close, that’s the way to do it right!