Cleared the Holmes Run trail today

[rcannon100]

But I take it Holmes Run still has an advisory due to the sewer break up near columbia pike?? Which looked a little something like this:

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[Rob22315]

Yes, we saw warning signs about a sewage spill but didn’t know it was that bad. I’m glad I didn’t let our dogs go in the water, that’s disgusting.

[Rootchopper]

But I thought Alexandria was a silver level bicycling friendly city. Fail.

[CaseyKane50]

@Rootchopper 67068 wrote:

But I thought Alexandria was a silver level bicycling friendly city. Fail.

I am not sure this is a failure of the city. The stream does run through Alexandria, however, the problem originated in Fairfax County – collapsed sewer line.

[Rootchopper]

If the problem occurred on Duke Street and originated in Fairfax County would they have left it alone or fixed it. Duke Street, to use a familiar word, is viewed as essential; the Holmes Run Trail isn’t. That tells you all you need to know about the attitude toward bicycling infrastructure in Alexandria. That’s a much bigger problem to remedy that the sewer line.

[CaseyKane50]

Well according to the advisory, Fairfax was on site making repairs to the collapsed sewer line. The last report from the county was on October 15. I am not sure what you expected the city to do, perhaps ask the residents of Lake Barcroft to open their dam and let the waters flush the sewage spill?

Regarding plans for Holmes Run trail, the city does have a proposed project in the works to update the trail. According to an article posted by WashCycle on February 17, 2013, work is scheduled to begin mid to late 2014. However, I don’t recall seeing any further updates on this project.

[eminva]

Bobco’s video made me realize I meant to post something here about the Holmes Run Trail.

I was coming back from a conference in Alexandria on Friday, got out early, and decided to explore someplace new on my way home. I took the Holmes Run Trail starting at Eisenhower Avenue with the intention of riding all the way up to Columbia Pike. HOWEVER . . . I didn’t notice the “Trail Closed Ahead” sign tacked to a tree near the Parklawn Swim Club. So I forded the run three times, then discovered the fourth crossing was out of commission, due to the plumbing work, I guess. A huge pipe crossed the run right at the ford and the other side was bulldozed beyond recognition. I didn’t have a camera with me to take a photo. I turned around, forded the creek three times again, and consulted the map on my phone at the swim club to get out of the neighborhood on the streets.

After that, I rode through the Lake Barcroft neighborhood and then up to the W&OD near Shreve Road. It was all new to me and a very enjoyable ride, if a bit hilly.

Liz

[KLizotte]

Thanks for this eminva. After seeing bobco’s video I was gonna do a loop from WO&D – Lake Barcraft – Holmes Run, etc. this wknd and am now thinking I’ll wait till spring if this is the case.

[dcv]

@KLizotte 69210 wrote:

Thanks for this eminva. After seeing bobco’s video I was gonna do a loop from WO&D – Lake Barcraft – Holmes Run, etc. this wknd and am now thinking I’ll wait till spring if this is the case.

There’s a section of kill bill at lake barcroft you might enjoy, was thinking about taking the family.

[rcannon100]

Drat. I was thinking of going down to Alex and back on Holmes. It is a nice loop.

[eminva]

@KLizotte 69210 wrote:

Thanks for this eminva. After seeing bobco’s video I was gonna do a loop from WO&D – Lake Barcraft – Holmes Run, etc. this wknd and am now thinking I’ll wait till spring if this is the case.

@rcannon100 69213 wrote:

Drat. I was thinking of going down to Alex and back on Holmes. It is a nice loop.

You can join the trail at the Parklawn Swim Club; just google to find the street route to get there. Everything south of there is open. You can back up and do the three stream crossings, if you wish.

Liz

[bobco85]

@eminva 69215 wrote:

You can join the trail at the Parklawn Swim Club; just google to find the street route to get there. Everything south of there is open. You can back up and do the three stream crossings, if you wish.

Liz

That’s how I accessed the trail, although normally (I got used to this route before the new bridge was built) I access it from Chambliss.

[KLizotte]

@dcv 69212 wrote:

There’s a section of kill bill at lake barcroft you might enjoy, was thinking about taking the family.

I like the Lake area; it’s very peaceful there. I’ll keep an eye out for your Strava entry; I’m always looking for new routes.

[CaseyKane50]

Trail is still closed just before the 3rd crossing.

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[CaseyKane50]

Repairs to the sewer line have been completed, but the trail is still not rideable.

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Stream crossing west bound

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[Author]

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