Capital Crescent Trail

[eminva]

Thanks for the timely thread — I will be a bachelorette early next week, and was thinking of a nice ride for Fourth of July morning that would keep me away from the hoards at all the usual tourist spots. I had already settled upon a circumnavigation of as much of the CCT from Pickett south as I could manage (before getting lost or tired). I’ve only ever gone as far as Wakefield.

I would do this on ye olde entry level mountain bike.

Liz

[KLizotte]

How far is the paved portion? I presume the paved portion starts from Springfield? Wondering if it’s worth exploring on my road bike.

[rcannon100]

It’s like roulette. You just never know. I found the CCT after being directed by Google Maps to a portion of the trail that was not there. Or it was, but it was only a hiking trail. That was south of Lake Accontik (sp?). The trail to the lake was paved. But the trail from the lake north was crossed stone. Until it was paved again. It was paved under major roads like Rt 50. Some places it was large stone gravel (I walked). At Wakefield its rutted hard trail (damn mount bikers). But the park that drops you into the stream was cement. Mill Creek Park was paved. Until around the corner it wasnt and you had to dive under and underpass. Then in a while the pavement started up again. When I got up on Lee Highway I lost the CCT until I got near the Vienna Metro when I found it again.

Bring maps and a GPS. I knew a lot of these parks from geocaching so I had a good sense of where I should be even if I wasnt.

I have also been down at Occoquan. The trail at that end is paved. But I have not followed it far. The CCT goes north of Lorton Prison (now closed) and the park there is also a GREAT MTB park.

I have also been on the CCT near the Potomac. I think there is pretty much only counts as a hiking trail.

[bluerider]

@acc 23541 wrote:

Yes, a cyclocross bike will work. It is one of my favorite rides around here. It’s beautiful, quiet and shaded. Bring your camera.

Thanks, sounds like I have a new adventure coming.

[baiskeli]

I like how this thread turned into a bike thread.

[GuyContinental]

@rcannon100 23552 wrote:

I have also been on the CCT near the Potomac. I think there is pretty much only counts as a hiking trail.

Beyond Old Georgetown Road I believe that the trail becomes NPS and thus verboten for bikes. I’ve never seen one down there but if it were allowed it would be quite rideable (with MTB) but not particualrly cool for the hikers

[GuyContinental]

@DaveK 23535 wrote:

??Can you map this?

Sure, but I’d have to kill you.

The actual Cabin John Trail (LINK to MORE) is a couple of miles West on River Road. Good riding but don’t ride toward the river- it’s not Kosher with the NPS.

[Author]

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