Reston South Commuter Lot 18 M T

Distance from RSCL to Carpers Farm Way via Twin Branches Nature Trail and back via CCT

18 Mile Trail Run

Measured: 18 Miles

 View: Start Location / Street Map / Satellite Map

Directions:

1. Leave the parking lot by running east (away from Reston Parkway) on the path along the south border of the commuter parking lot.
2. Follow path into the woods turning right at first "T" intersection.
3. Right at second trail intersection (shortly after crossing wooden bridge), crossing Steeplechase Drive (via the steps or the large under-road culverts).
4. Continue east on the trail (Glade Trail) as it crosses to the north (left) side of the stream bed.
5. Right at the next trail intersection, crossing to the south (right) side of the stream bed. Continue across Soapstone Drive.
6. Left at the second trail intersection beyond Soapstone, crossing again to the north side of the stream bed.
7. Trail emerges onto Twin Branches Road where it intersects with Glade Drive.
8. Cross Twin Branches, go up hill to a wide dirt/gravel road that angles up to the left. Follow it up the hill and then down steeply.
9. After 0.2 mile the trail forks and you go left across a wooden bridge. Continue along this rather wet trail for a quarter mile until it climbs left to a clearing along an earthen dam.
10. At the end of the dam, go right down hill then left to continue in original direction.
11. After 0.3 mile is a wooden bridge; cross and turn left along a major trail.
12. After 0.1 mile you take a right up a very steep slope to the W&OD Trail.
13. Turn LEFT and run on horse (gravel) trail that parallels the W&OD until you reach Michael Faraday Drive.
14. NOTE:  A Water Station is located at the intersection of Sunrise Valley Drive and the W&OD trail).
15. Turn RIGHT onto Michael Faraday, following pavement to the end and picking up the trail.  Follow white-blazed posts with horseshoes carved on them.
16. Following the trail you will:  ford a small stream, bear right, then after another stream crossing find yourself at the summit of a hill, continue along the side of the athletic field (on your left).
17. Continuing on the trail you will ford another small stream, climb a steep hill, turn RIGHT to cross an athletic field then pick the trail back up on the other side to descend on a gravel trail.
18. Cross Hunter Mill Road, continue to intersection with Carper's Farm Way, where you should find a trail-runner aid station.
19. At this point you have options:  For an extended distance run, turn left and cross (carefully) Route 7, then turn right on the access road, follow it to the end and pick up the Cross County Trail (CCT).  Continue to follow the CCT out towards Great Falls Park, Riverbend Park and beyond.  This stretch is an out-an-back, so when ready to head back just turn around and run back to the aid station at Carpers Farm Way.
20. Another option is to skip the out and back, and from the aid station go straight across Carpers Farm Way, and pick up the CCT.  Follow the CCT signs back to the W&OD.  When you get to the W&OD, turn RIGHT, then return to the trail that you came from in step #13 above.  Retrace your earlier route (steps 1-13) back to the start.

Your comments are most welcome. Click the link to open an email box: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it