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Meet at Brookside Nature Center Parking lot, 1400 Glenallan Ave. Wheaton, MD 20902 at 10:15 Do not be confused, we meet at the Nature Center parking lot, NOT the nearby Brookside Gardens Conservancy or Visitor Center parking lots. We will cross the NW Branch to access a portion of the Rachel Carson trail from the NW Branch trail, after a brief sojourn through the woods from the Nature Center. Both the NW Branch Trail, and the Rachel Carson trail on the opposite side, run parallel to the NW Branch, a creek that eventually feeds into the Anacostia River. We are on natural surface trails, with some initial hills, and a flatter stretch once we are alongside the stream. I will time the hike to return to the Nature Center around 12:30 with mileage dependent on the pace of the group, trail conditions, weather, and other factors. There are picnic tables behind the Nature Center, for those who choose to pack along a bag lunch. Hike will be canceled in the event of heavy/moderate rain or the forecast of the same. Please only participate if you are fully vaccinated.

Directions: From I 495, Capital Beltway, exit 31 (A) go northbound on Georgia Avenue/ local route 97 about 3 miles, turn right onto Randolph Road for .3 mile, then right on Glenallan Ave. for .7 mile, then right into the Nature Center parking lot. If the Nature Center lot is full you may park at the neighboring park sites (The Conservancy and Brookside Garden Visitor Center whose entrances you passed by along Glenallan Ave.), but please then walk over to meet us at the Nature Center parking lot. Please plan to arrive early, allowing yourself extra time for parking and restroom access AHEAD of when we circle up at 10:15 a.m.