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 Reporter |
Summary: On this easy and hill-less hike, you'll mostly follow the Holmes Run valley across Alexandria's non-toursity western section. Along the way you'll encounter city owned parklands, a healthy marsh, both scenic and scruffy views, and an oak that's older than Alexandria, and all with but one single significant street crossing! The hike route has no blazes and a few signs, but is easy to follow. Parts of the trail flood easy, use caution after heavy rains. Trailhead: Take I-395, exit 4 - Seminary Road west. Drive for 0.6 miles to Fillmore Ave (side street - no light), turn left. Go 0.5 miles and bear left onto N. Chambliss St. 150 yds. Park near tennis court. Trail head is straight down hill. (Lat:38.8345 Lon:-77.1277) Trail Guides for Holmes_Run: 60 Hikes within 60 miles of Washington D.C. by Paul Elliott (Menasha Ridge Press) Best Seasons: Year-Round User Groups: Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Ranger Contact: Fairfax County Park Authority 703-324-8702 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Joe Cross, who has posted 56 other hikes on this site Trail Reviews Page 1 of 2 Submit your own review 
Reviewed by JM on 7/9/2008 The path has hurt the wildlife - a family of deer have been chased away, I actually witnessed someone trying to call in some help for "coyotes" that were learing at her on the trail. I informed her that they were fox, not coyotes and that a family of them have lived in the area for years. She still wanted to get rid of them and call in animal control because they scared her. The amount of trash and cyclist racing through there are systematically destroying the wildlife and their home. It is a shame, hopefully they will not link the trails - right now, it just lets the homeless men that use is at night get further down the trail. 
Reviewed by KAM on 7/8/2008 It was a much nicer area before the construction and pathways - locals were able to enjoy it. Now large families come down there and fish without permit and leave trash everywhere. In addition it is not uncommon for groups of teenagers to smoke pot and lots of MS-13 tags have been going up. Before the pathway it was gorgeous and the deer, fox, owl, etc could be in peace. Now people drive in to "hike" a mile on a paved trail that has water crossing that are messing with the creeks natural flow so heavy contruction equipment has to come in and fix it. The worse thing will be to link this trail and encourage the pollution. There were actually kids on ATVs tearing down the trail one day. 
Reviewed by Stacey on 4/17/2008 I love this stream valley! It's a beautiful getaway for those of us on the east end of Fairfax County and a great walk with little kids. We saw raptors, red fox, Canada geese, teals, tons of cardinals... We got on the trail at Columbia Pike. Can anyone tell me how to continue on the trail at Glen Hills? The trail goes up to North Chambliss, but it wasn't immediately obvious how to continue on to Dora Kelly.
Reviewed by CLK on 1/23/2008 This trail has been wonderfully redeveloped since the last time I wandered down it! I love the fair weather crossings and so does my dog. There are still some areas of ruin just off the trail where a lot of illegal dumping has occurred but even so it's a very nice walk!
Reviewed by Tom (FCPA) on 11/1/2007 I also wanted to inform anyone interested that there is parking at both Glen Hills Park (the end of N. Chambliss St. Google address: 6900 Larstan Drive, Alexandria) and at the trailhead off of Columbia Pike. If you are going east on Columbia Pike, it is a turnoff on your right immediately after the Holmes Run bridge/Barcroft Dam. You will see the sign. There is parking for several cars, so there should usually be space. By the way, the smell mentioned in one of the comments is not from the water. It is from sanitary sewer lines that run down most stream valleys in Fairfax/Alexandria. It is usually only noticeable within 10-15 ft of a manhole. It is also more noticeable during the summer. Otherwise, there is not much we can do. Sorry.
Reviewed by Tom McFarland on 10/31/2007 The FCPA has recently completed the Holmes Run Stream Valley Trail project (I am the Project Manager). The trail extends from the end of N. Chambliss St. (Dora Kelly/Glen Hills Park) to Columbia Pike (the Lake Barcroft Dam). It is a 1.5 mile easy hike with 5 fairweather crossings and a paved surface. I may be biased, but I think it came out nicely. At this time, you would have to ford the stream at the Glen Hills Park/Dora Kelley location (shallow water, not too bad) to reach the new trail, but the City of Alexandria is working on installing either a bridge or a fairweather crossing at this location to connect the new trail with Dora Kelly Park. The timing of this construction is uncertian, due to NIMBY resistance. I will keep you posted. 
Reviewed by LK on 10/4/2006 Did not like it at all. A lot of trash around, bad smell from the water.
Reviewed by Gabriel Elias on 10/7/2004 It's a pleasent place, out of the way of things. Haven't seen any animals there unless you count businessmen on lunch break. Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Virginia Hiking, Virginia Trails, Virginia Hikes, Alexandria City County Hiking, Alexandria City County Trails, Alexandria City County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||