bigbadbrad
May 19th, 2004, 05:22 PM
Hey all, in particular those leading/participating in the Ft. Dupont ride tonight (sorry for the late notice).
Anyway, as it so happens, I was out there about a week ago . . . .glad to hear MORE is showing this forgotten gem some attention. I thought a little reconnaissance might be helpful, so here it is. I entered Ft. Dupont, hit some local stuff within the park, then rode Ft. Circle Hiker/Biker trail south to the end & back, finishing up w/fun stuff & great downhill back within Ft. Dupont proper.
Trail is awesome! A hidden/forgotten gem, indeed. Parts of it, you see nothing but trees, you could be in WV. About all I encountered were birds, rabbits, etc. I recommend fairly high tire pressure, as most of it is high/dry, fast-rolling hardpack &/or gravel. Very few low/bog areas.
There's a fair amount of deadfall to watch out for (might be a great MORE trailwork project, as the park service --nor anyone else for that matter-- doesn't seem to pay much attention to this trail).
South end is fairly overgrown, could use a weed-whacking. Only one bad bog, with creepy rust-colored water seeping through it, but a short distance. One downhill has a huge tree down across it, with a cut-around to the left (while heading downhill/south), but low head clearance. Some nice wooden bridges over deep ravines, one of which ends with a terraced sidehill trail or a staircase up to a nice bench cut trail. Sidehill is laden w/deadfall; a walk up the staircase & you can ride the benchcut & continue.
Also, be aware (&/or take a map) that street crossings are the only drag/hassle/danger (traffic), and that trailheads are often not marked on the opposite side of the road.
At the southern end, there's a Smithsonian building (black history museum, I think) down the hill & across the street. Fun little loop right behind it; if you ride around the right side of the museum, you'll see a trailhead "George Washington Carver" loop; a fun little spin, & there's a small picnic grove there; nice spot to eat before heading back.
On the return trip, be sure to stay high & right when re-entering Ft. Dupont, as that part of the trail is big fun. Winds around the ravines, up near the top of the park (you can climb to the right to see the old earthworks, &/or some singletrack drops left off the Ft. Circle trail). FC is a blast beyond there, then exits woods at a road intersection, where the Ft. Circle continues north, or you can cross the street & continue down hill within Ft. Dupont. (Straight up dirt road to the garden area leads to one of the few overlooks of the city).
Anyway, hope that's not too much detail; I'm sure the ride leader probably knows his way around. Wish I could join you; maybe next time.
Have fun! :D
--Brad R.
Anyway, as it so happens, I was out there about a week ago . . . .glad to hear MORE is showing this forgotten gem some attention. I thought a little reconnaissance might be helpful, so here it is. I entered Ft. Dupont, hit some local stuff within the park, then rode Ft. Circle Hiker/Biker trail south to the end & back, finishing up w/fun stuff & great downhill back within Ft. Dupont proper.
Trail is awesome! A hidden/forgotten gem, indeed. Parts of it, you see nothing but trees, you could be in WV. About all I encountered were birds, rabbits, etc. I recommend fairly high tire pressure, as most of it is high/dry, fast-rolling hardpack &/or gravel. Very few low/bog areas.
There's a fair amount of deadfall to watch out for (might be a great MORE trailwork project, as the park service --nor anyone else for that matter-- doesn't seem to pay much attention to this trail).
South end is fairly overgrown, could use a weed-whacking. Only one bad bog, with creepy rust-colored water seeping through it, but a short distance. One downhill has a huge tree down across it, with a cut-around to the left (while heading downhill/south), but low head clearance. Some nice wooden bridges over deep ravines, one of which ends with a terraced sidehill trail or a staircase up to a nice bench cut trail. Sidehill is laden w/deadfall; a walk up the staircase & you can ride the benchcut & continue.
Also, be aware (&/or take a map) that street crossings are the only drag/hassle/danger (traffic), and that trailheads are often not marked on the opposite side of the road.
At the southern end, there's a Smithsonian building (black history museum, I think) down the hill & across the street. Fun little loop right behind it; if you ride around the right side of the museum, you'll see a trailhead "George Washington Carver" loop; a fun little spin, & there's a small picnic grove there; nice spot to eat before heading back.
On the return trip, be sure to stay high & right when re-entering Ft. Dupont, as that part of the trail is big fun. Winds around the ravines, up near the top of the park (you can climb to the right to see the old earthworks, &/or some singletrack drops left off the Ft. Circle trail). FC is a blast beyond there, then exits woods at a road intersection, where the Ft. Circle continues north, or you can cross the street & continue down hill within Ft. Dupont. (Straight up dirt road to the garden area leads to one of the few overlooks of the city).
Anyway, hope that's not too much detail; I'm sure the ride leader probably knows his way around. Wish I could join you; maybe next time.
Have fun! :D
--Brad R.