I only recently discovered that the trails at the Bull Run Mountains
Conservancy, an hour west of DC, happen to include a hike up a ridge to a high
point with a view. Perfect! I had two days to go and three summits to scale to
avoid a midnight self-pumpkinization on February 1st. So, Kris and I
headed out on January 31st, a sunny and almost spring-like winter
day, for summit #58.
58. Bull Run Mountain: We parked at the Mountain House and
rambled along the Fern Hollow Trail past the striking remains of an old grist mill,
ice well and family cemetery. The creek below us, Broad Run, was flowing, but
largely capped in thick ice from an unusually cold January. We soon met the
Chestnut Ridge Trail and followed that to the rocky crest and multiple
overlooks with excellent views west-ish toward Winchester, Front Royal and
Shenandoah. I scooted up the highest rocks to be sure I’d tagged the proper
one, while Kris tried to discern what kind of critter was making all that rustling
noise among the giant rocks below. Nearby, a perfect bedrock couch in full sun
invited a generous lunch break. I think I’d rate this as one of the best easy
dayhikes near DC. It’ll be fun to go back in the spring and fall when the
forest has some clothes on.
Miles (RT): 4.0
miles; elevation gain: 1,000 feet
Cumulative mileage and gain:
276.2 miles / 68,950 feet
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| Old Grist Mill residence. |
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| Ice pit. |
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| Grist mill. |
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| Vulture. |
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| Seems like the top. |
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| Or is it this one? |
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