MVT accident/trail closure at MP 3

A section of the Mount Vernon Trail between Waynewood Blvd. and Fort Hunt Road, near mile post 3, was closed this afternoon due to a bad accident on the trail just before 2 p.m. The best detour appeared to be along the shoulder of the Mount Vernon Parkway between Waynewood Blvd. and Fort Hunt Road. Police had strung yellow tape across the trail a little bit north of Fort Hunt Road, so some folks had to backtrack when they reached the barrier.

It appeared that a cyclist lost control as she descended the sharp, winding trail on that stretch, then went over the side of the wooden bridge and fell about 10 feet, landing near the small creek. Police and ambulances were on the scene.

This might be the worst stretch of trail in the entire Washington area. It combines a trail that is too narrow with a sharp descent, tight curves, a wooden (often slippery) bridge, and a railing that is too low. The easiest remedy would be to establish a bikeable shoulder on the Parkway between Waynewood Blvd. and the Mount Vernon visitor center.