http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail Our entry captures an 80 mile hike to and fro across the Cross County Trail in Fairfax County, Virginia. Who would have thought such beauty could exist in one of the most populous counties in the state! Well, it's there and it's time to hike and enjoy the beauty of this trail! We will tackle this hike in stages, not all at once. (What's the fun in that?!). Stay tuned for text updates and pics...... http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/4249 http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/4249-Fa-neeeet!-Finished!-The-End! Well, Kelli & I have completed our journey along the Cross County Trail! 76 miles later and we have done it! It was fascinating to find so much nature along this trail. There are 3 distinct areas of the trail: Difficult Run Stream Valley, Pohick Stream Valley and Accotink Stream Valley. Difficult Run was our personal favorite, but the others offered beauty and serenity as well. This is a nice trail to mountain bike as well, although it is a bit tight to ride in some areas! Well, it's on to the next adventure! Rob http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/3268 http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/3268-Stage-3-Oak-Marr-Park-Fairfax-VA Here is an update on our Cross County hike in Fairfax VA. We are now at mile post 15 (I think), which is located in Fairfax City at Oak Marr Park. This is a wonderful hike. http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/1016 http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/1016-Stage-2-Colvin-Run-to-Dulles-Toll-Road Kelli and I hiked 4+ miles Saturday, January 13th. Buster cam along for the fun! Doesn't sound like much until you consider the hike was very muddy; however, the weather was quite warm (no jackets in January!). We hiked from Colvin Run Mill Road (at Route 7) to the Dulles Toll Road. We saw wildlife (Mallards), one very muddy mountain biker and all told, only 10 people the whole way, to and from! This is FUN! Our lunch consisted of water and a few granola-type breakfast bars. Quite an invigorating walk! Buster sure enjoyed it, too! Here are a few pictures...! http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/842 Pictures http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/842-Pictures! Here are several of my favorite shots thus far on our hike through the CCT.......We will resume our hiking after Christmas and New Years! Happy Holidays All! http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/841 http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/841-Stage-2%3a-Progress! Well, we finally covered some new ground today. Kelli & I were able to navigate the fair weather crossing and completed Stage 1 and part of stage 2 just past Kelso Road. We hiked to the 2nd fair weather crossing and covered approximately 5.5 miles of trail. It was COLD but exhilarating. We saw a red-headed woodpecker and a doe shot out of nowhere! It feels like winter already! http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/839 http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/839-Stage-1%3a-Boys-and-Girls! We were joined by our sons and their girlfriends for this stage. Our intent was to head south; however, the fair-weather crossing was not fair at all on this day! So, we turned around and hiked to the Potomac once again. Took pictures of our good looking guys with their very lovely girlfriends! Everyone enjoyed it. In fact, the girls are very interested in going again! Yoo-hoo! http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/838 Challenges http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/838-Stage-1%3a-Start-STOP! We began early on this Sunday morning with Buster, our cairn terrier. However, I forgot to bring the dog's leash! Ugh! We drove nearby to attempt to find an establishment that sold such things. Could not find an open store on a Sunday morning! Ugh, I was so pissed at myself. There was another function to attend in the early afternoon SO this stage will have to be delayed http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/837 http://www.tripdiary.com/turnerclan/Cross_County_Trail/837-Stage-1-The-Potomac-River We set out on November 18th, 2006 with an intial 2.5 mile foray originating from the Difficult Run parking lot. Proceeded to the Potomac River, the northernmost 'start' of the Cross County Trail (CCT). It was a bit muddy at points but a nice, sunny, crisp and clear fall day. The Difficult Run stream valley provided us with nice views, with a picturesque view of the Potomac River east of Great Falls. I find the sound of rushing water relaxing to the soul. Our cairn terrier seemed to enjoy it too!