When my editors suggested this park for review, my first inclination was to say no way, since it did not fit my criteria for safety. I had heard so many reports of attacks "along Rock Creek Park." With a little more investigation, I found out the paved trail along the parkway is where most, if not all, of the attacks had been. I am glad to have cleared up this confusion, since I thoroughly enjoyed my adventure at Rock Creek.

I met with members of the Virginia Happy Trails Club who frequent the park. I strongly suggest that the first time you venture to this trail system, you are piloted by someone who knows it. It is estimated there are upwards of forty miles of trail running to be experienced here. Much of it winds through and around city streets and attractions such as the National Zoo.

There are many access points. Some more popular ones include: Fletcher's Boathouse near Georgetown, Pierce Mill, Carter Barron, and Beach Drive. We entered from the C&O Canal at Fletcher's Boathouse, and began by going through a tricky tunnel rather than crossing Canal Road. We did not see very many other runners, just the occasional dog-walkers. Most of the time, you could see homes or hear traffic not too far off in the distance. Granted, this was winter, and Saturday of a very rainy week. We digressed into a discussion of the different types of mud as we encountered them. To the uninitiated, it is quite an education to realize mud is not just mud. To veteran trail runners, there is almost a grading system based on color, depth, and amount of slippage. I think we found all types that day.

My guide was quick to point out places that become overgrown in the summer, where there are water and restroom facilities (open in the winter), and tourist stops (we watched the prairie dogs and bears while replenishing at the zoo). When we passed the popular Beach Drive section, there were lots of people around, but mostly taking advantage of the closed roads, not the trails all around them. There were also sections where we crossed equestrian paths, and discovered evidence of a wayward horse and rider (chopped up section clearly marked NO Horses). I hope there will not be too many of them. As muddy as it was, it does not take many horses to destroy completely what little footing some trails have. Apparently, this trail used to be part of the equestrian route. Maybe the rider just got confused.

I was impressed by the variety of terrain, and I could just imagine how beautiful some sections are in the spring and fall. To be honest, I prefer checking out trails in the winter first. It is much easier to see where the trails run without foliage on trees and bushes. We ran for more than three hours (with walking breaks on some of the more slippery hills), and I only got to see part of the park, covering approximately fifteen miles, not repeating any part. Naturally, you could visit several times, and have a different experience each time. That rates high in my book.

That brings me to my rating. It is a hard call to make. I am going to give it two ratings: one for experienced trail runners, and one for novices. It is definitely a different call for each. For the experienced trailer, it rates a '3' Muddy Shoes. Pluses include: variety, facilities year round, accessibility, free, separate trails for different users (horse, bike, hike/run) and sheer size.

Its downsides are the reason I give it a '2' Muddy Shoes for beginners. I was extremely grateful to have had a guide. I found it confusing to find my way around. I would not have known that some of the light poles and street signs have trail markings on them when we veered onto city streets before continuing in the woods, for example. The color of the markings kept changing, so it was easy to think the marking was just graffiti! I am sure there are shorter segments that can be reached from Pierce Mill, for instance, that are easy to follow. We were "just passing through" on a longer segment, so may have a different perspective of these areas. The other downside was there were some quite dangerous spots, where a slip could have had serious consequences. This may be intimidating for the road runner who is just looking for a softer surface to run on. Some sections were really rugged (washed out gulleys) that I would not realize were still part of the trail if I were not experienced. Of course, there were stretches that after a good rain would require running through water. Again, not a beginner's idea of a good time (I know I used to turn around at these junctures early into my trail experience).

Would I recommend these trails? ABSOLUTELY! They are another example of why living in this area is so wonderful. We have access to incredible natural resources, both groomed and ungroomed. Of course, if these paths get too rough, the runner can just wind his or her way back down to the C&O to cool down. This leads into Georgetown, which leads to the Key Bridge, which leads to the trail to Roosevelt Island, and the paved bike path to Mount Vernon, or to the bike paths hooking up to the W&OD, which has equestrian trails alongside for most of its forty- eight miles . . . you get my drift. See you on the trails!