Thanksgiving Traditions: Establishing New Ones on Trails

      Thanksgiving oozes family tradition - going to grandma's house, volunteering at a soup kitchen, making the passed-down family recipe, watching football or the parades in PJ's or taking a hike. After years of wrangling with traffic in the the northeast, my husband and I decided, no more, enough was enough of the exhausting eleven hour stop-and-go traffic and decided to stay put at home. Thus, it gave us the opportunity to establish our own traditions and invite others to join us.
     Whether it is cold, rainy or the most beautiful azure skies, we take a hike. We stuff the turkey to capacity, stick it in the oven, put on our hiking boots and venture close to one of the many trails the DC region has to offer. The trails are quiet and peaceful because so many have escaped the political hub to find rest and relaxation. Instead, we retreat to a trail to celebrate each other, our family unit, the bounty in our lives and the ability to adventure together in the great outdoors. Besides sitting down to gorge on a tasty meal and share our gratitude, hiking as a family on Thanksgiving allows us to relish each other and just be.
     What traditions are you thankful for on this Thanksgiving?

Trail Discovery for Kids: Blue Mash Trail, Montgomery Co.

Bio-retention pond

June 2012 Highlighted Hike

Blue Mash Trail

Laytonsville, MD

Trail Description

ü  This 2 mile circuit hike in northern Montgomery County surrounds the long-closed Oaks Landfill and its reservoir system.

ü  The trail is a mowed-field path with no elevation gain or loss.

ü  Surrounding the trail is a meadow ecosystem with succession of immature deciduous trees, such as river birch, sycamore, red oaks and red maples, and conifer trees, mostly cedar, supported by a an understory of witch hazel and viburnum.

ü  The parking lot is on the west side of Zion Rd. in Laytonsville. It is marked by a small, brown sign labeled Blue Mash Trail.

ü  In the parking lot, use the trailhead at the end of the parking lot and hike the circuit counterclockwise. When reaching the reservoir, hike to the right counterclockwise one-third around it and then the trail will enter a tunnel of cedar and deciduous trees. Shortly after exiting this treed tunnel, make the second right at the trail intersection. At the second intersection, turn left with the landfill being on the right side. At the third intersection, turn right with the landfill continuing to be on the right. The trail will dead end and turn to the left on a gravel road. This will lead you back to the parking lot.

ü  To hike a shorter 1.25 mile circuit, turn left at the first trail intersection and continue straight at the third intersection essentially cutting of two sides of a triangle.

Tunnel of trees

ü  The hike is jogging stroller friendly.

ü  Trail map.

Age Appropriateness

This hike is appropriate for all ages due to a flat, wide trail that has no obstacles for feet or jogging strollers.

What is fun for kids?

ü  Kids and parents can fill their tummies with as many raspberries and blackberries as their heart’s desire. The trail is full of berry plants. The best time to go is the end of June into July.

ü  In May, the meadows are full of raspberry and blackberry flowers, buttercups, crown vetch, milkweed and sprouting Joe Pye weed which blooms at the end of the summer.

ü  The meadow invites a lot of butterflies, such as many varieties of swallowtail, monarchs, and skippers, and 32 different species of birds have been identified along the trail making it a great birding destination.

ü  Look for and listen to frogs and turtles along the reservoir.

Caution

ü  Because it is a sunny meadow with few shady spots, it is best to visit this trail on a day with lower temperatures or at the beginning or end of the day.

ü  Bring bug spray and wear long pants to help protect against ticks and gnats. 

ü  There is no bathroom or trash cans; therefore, pack out your garbage.