A GREAT RUNNING TRAIL IN ALEXANDRIA VA.
BY PAUL D. MALEY
The Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile paved multi-use trail that goes from George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island. It connects with regional trails, including the Rock Creek, Four Mile Run, Potomac Heritage and Woodrow Wilson Bridge Trails.
One section runs south of Reagan Airport (DCA) to the Marina Towers complex. This area is ideal for running and has a lot of cool views. The surface is asphalt and can be used jointly by joggers, walkers and bikers. The following are some of the sights that can be seen along the way from just the stretch between mile 11 to mile 13.
SECTION OF MOUNT VERNON TRAIL IN FRONT OF MARINA TOWERS COMPLEX
RESIDENT FAUNA
JULY 4TH FIREWORKS
GIANT DUCKS THREATENING TO MARCH ON THE CAPITOL
KAYAKERS AND SCULLERS
THE TRANQUILITY OF DAINGERFIELD ISLAND
DUCK PARADES DAILY
SMALL BOATS AT ANCHOR WITH THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT IN THE BACKGROUND
SIGNPOSTS TO GUIDE YOU
SCENIC BRIDGE OVER MARSH LAND
TRANQUIL WATER
A CONTINUOUS RUNNING PATH
SHADE TREES WITH UNUSUAL SHAPES
CAT TAILS ALONG THE MARSH
FALLEN TREES
GENTLE STREAMS
MUSHROOMS AND FUNGI
CYCLING PATH
PLACES TO SIT
AND SEE THE DUCKS UP CLOSE
YOU CAN RUN EASILY EVEN WHEN THE GW PARKWAY IS NOT FAR AWAY
SPOT THE ROBINS ON THE GROUND
BIRDS IN THE TREES
OR PLANES TAKING OFF FROM REAGAN AIRPORT
OR A BOAT WAKE IN THE POTOMAC JUST AFTER SUNRISE
OR THE SUNRISE ITSELF FROM MARINA TOWERS
THERE ARE SECTIONS WELL SHADED FROM THE SUN
PLACES WHERE ANIMALS AND PEOPLE CAN RUN TOGETHER
A WIDE VARIETY OF FOLIAGE INCLUDING MIMOSA
TREES A HUNDRED FEET TALL
TREES THAT SPREAD
FLOWERING BUSHES THAT THRIVE ALONG THE RIVER
PLACES THAT APPEAR LIKE CAPTURED MEADOWS
ILLUMINATION BY THE EARLY MORNING SUN
HELICOPTERS FLYING OVER THE POTOMAC
SAILBOATS DRIFTING BY
JOGGING ALONG THE RIVER BANK
MORE THAN AN OCCASIONAL SQUIRREL
WATERFOWL
DAY LILLIES
PROTECTED SECTIONS OF TRAIL
STICK FIGURES IN DEADWOOD
STATELY TREES
BOATS THROUGH THE FOLIAGE
VIEWS OF DENSE FOREST
UPGRADES