Scott's Run Nature Preserve

Saturday, April 14, 8:30 a.m. (Metro, Vienna
Station, North Parking Lot): The Vienna Photographic
Society’s April field trip will take us to
Scott’s Run Nature Preserve along the Potomac
River. One mile from the beltway on Georgetown
Pike, the Scott's Run Nature Preserve is a little
piece of wilderness saved from urban sprawl.
Originally the Burling Tract, it avoided development
in the 1970's and was renamed the Dranesville
District Park. Today it is known as the Scott's
Run Nature Preserve.

Scotts Run Nature Preserve features hikes ranging
from easy to difficult, from level, wooded paths to
strenuous rocky bluffs that drop steeply to Potomac
River bottom land. This 380-acre park offers
several photo opportunities, including the stillstanding
chimney from an old homesite, a 15-foot
waterfall very near the banks of the Potomac, and
many scenic views of both the rocky creek that is
Scotts Run and the rocky bluffs along the river.
The park is also home to many native plants and
wildflowers. In early spring, expect to find springtime
"ephemeral" wildflowers, including Trout lily
(Erythronium americanum), Bloodroot
(Sanguinaria canadensis), Dutchmens Breeches
(Dicentra cucullaria), Trilliums, particularly Toadshade
(Trillium sessile), Spring Beauty (Claytonia
virginica), Cut-leaved Toothwort (Dentaria laciniata),
Round-lobed Hepatica (Hepatica nobilis var
obtusa), Jack-in-the-pulpit (Arisaema triphyllum)
and several species of Windflower (Anemone).
Remember that the theme for next year’s Meadowlark
poster is Virginia wildflowers. This should
be a good time to get those shots. You never
know what you might find along the park trails.

http://www.localhikes.com/HikeData.ASP?DispTyp
e=7&ActiveHike=0&GetHikesStateID=&ID=4181
http://www.hikingupward.com/OVH/ScottsRun/

We will then convene for lunch somewhere nearby
along Georgetown Pike and discuss the mornings
activity. We may even discuss possible field trips
for next year so bring your suggestions along.

After lunch we will go on to Great Falls Park on the
Virginia side to see what is happening there.
Please plan to join us for what should be a great
spring field trip. -Dennis Tarnay & Mary Jane Fish