"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts." -- Rachel Carson (Montgomery County native)

Trail runners may know this instinctively: part of the allure of trail running is that trails and their surroundings are dynamic. The picture changes second by second. The picture changes as the seasons change. The picture changes as a deer cuts in front of you or a resting heron takes off to glide along the creek in search of a snack. Whether or not the runner glides down a hillside at sub-eight-minute miles or is power-walking a steep climb, the water moves and makes noise all the same and the leaves and earth offer fantastic colors.

Part of the fun can also be trying out new trails, seeing totally new pictures, and putting yourself into these pictures. Why not try out a new trail this fall?

The Rachel Carson Conservation Park offers 650 acres of undisturbed wooded parkland and trails surrounding the Hawlings River in upper Montgomery County.

The trail system is currently a "work in process." Although the equestrian folks have been using and maintaining the trails, almost all of the probably four to five miles of official single track dirt trails are now cleared, some signs are now up and three of the trails have been named.

The equestrian loop is essentially a figure eight up on the hill in a grassy-brush area.

The eastern trail can be accessed from the equestrian loop and more or less winds down toward the river (which ought to be called a creek in this author's opinion) paralleling Sundown Road, with several side trails. Please notice the pretty natural pond on your way down. Take any trail to your right and you will connect with the River Loop. Take one of the two trails to your left and you will be heading up toward Sundown Road.

The River Loop is a short, simple loop that runs along the bank of the Hawlings for a short ways and then loops back into itself. There may be four or five trail intersections but it is not hard to stay on the River Loop.

There is also now a yet unnamed "western" trail that both winds back up to the main Zion Road entrance to the park and to connecting trails that head toward Gregg Road (near the new school).

Just using the currently "official" trails, it is easy to run an hour or two between the Zion Road trailhead and the river, alternating combinations of trails and side trails. However, there are still trails to be run that just are not yet on the official maps. From the western end of the park there are trails that cross the creek and go up between some horse farms. Notice another pretty pond on this side.

From the eastern trail, take one of the side trails toward Sundown and you will enjoy a gentle uphill on very soft dirt. For a little longer workout, stay close to the river before heading over toward Sundown. This way, you will get at least an extra mile one way before having to turn back. There is some indication that in the future this park and these trails might connect going east to the Hawlings River Stream Valley Park and if we are lucky to the west toward the Rock Creek Headwaters.

Come on out and try something new. See a park designed for mixed single-track usage unfold and develop. Get to know and experience some new trails. If you want to make a longer day out of it, you can easily go over to Brighton Dam or one of several points to access the Patuxent River State Park and run some more trails.

This is a "conservation park," which means there are no bathrooms and no water available. There is a small store in nearby Sunshine where one can purchase bottled water and drinks.

This is a link to the current park map, which will be updated very shortly: Rachel Carson Park

Directions: From MD 650 and MD 97 (good old Sunshine, Maryland: Rt. 650 is New Hampshire Avenue and Rt. 97 is Georgia Avenue; this is where they intersect in Maryland, not DC): Go out MD 650 past Sunshine. Go through Unity (one sign, no traffic light). Look for your first left onto Sundown Road. There is a green sign indicating this is the way to Laytonsville. As soon as you get on Sundown Road, look for your first left onto Zion Road. The sign may still be missing but it is your first left. Go down Zion just a short way and, after the road bears left, look for a driveway with a mailbox with "22201" on it (the '0' is very faded). Turn into this driveway and park immediately on the right on the grass. Do not go down the driveway past the telephone pole. Park and walk up to the top of the hill.

If you are coming from Gaithersburg or Damascus, get over to Route 108 and Brookeville Road. Go out Brookeville toward Olney and make your first left onto Zion Road. Go out Zion past two bridges and then start looking for the mailbox as described above.