Great video. The Potomac is a great, powerful and historic river. Great Falls is an amazing (essentially) urban natural area. I remember as a kid the river was so polluted it would self combust at points in DC. Mother Nature really has a way of healing herself after our misuse. And, as you know, the Potomac flows into my beloved Chesapeake Bay. Thanks for sharing. Joe
+Jeb & Joe Outdoors It's hard to believe that one can find a place like this right in the middle of all the rat race that makes up the D.C. suburbs. While at this park, you wouldn't know you were in such a highly urbanized area. I was so lucky that very cold temperatures and high winds kept the crowds away that day and I essentially had the park almost to myself. It was starting to get busy as I was leaving LOL! Over the last few months I have really enjoyed getting to see more of the Potomac, first from the flat lands of Virginia's Northern Neck down near the Chesapeake Bay, and now here just west of DC, and in a future video that will be uploading very soon, another view of the Potomac from just a little more to the west on the edge of the mountains. I'm glad you enjoyed this video. Thanks so much for watching, my friend!
WOW. at first was wondering if the river came up higher sometimes because you could see the white ring around the banks ,then you say it comes Over those cliffs?! insane!! so many great views. 9:35 was spectacular. Also amazing how close to DC you are, 10 miles from most cities you are still in the City, what a cool Oasis
+potatothorn Trust me, my friend, you are very much still in an urban environment as soon as you step outside the park boundary LOL! The Maryland side of the river is also a National Park (Chesapeake and Ohio Canal) so both sides being undeveloped helps maintain the "wilderness" feel. Normally both parks are extremely packed with people too, but fortunately the high winds and freezing temps kept people away. The views were definitely spectacular on this hike and almost non stop. Every step on the trail was within view of something amazing. It's a short but excellent hike. It is hard to imagine the volume of water that would be required to overflow those cliffs. I did not show it in any of my videos from this park, but there is one pole they have installed out there with the high water level marked with what year the flood occurred. At least of couple of them were ten feet or more above the ground, but keep in mind that "ground level" there is already 60 or 70 feet above the river's normal level. I would say the river was pretty close to normal level as seen in this video. I'm glad you enjoyed the views. Thanks so much for watching!
Smell N Roses i cant even imagine how much water that is what a huge volume/ im going to look over a map and see what the drainage area is like and also how close the city is.
potatothorn yeah take a look at the topographic profile for the area, it's very interesting. The river is actually much wider than this both up and down river from the falls/gorge. The river becomes very narrow as it passes here, picking up a lot of speed. While I was out there, I noticed how fast the water was moving and it has a lot of strong undercurrents due to the rocks. It's a really interesting environment. I didn't shoot any video, but I hiked along the river upstream from the falls too, and once you get past some rock islands above the falls, the river is very wide and peaceful and the river banks are less than 10 feet from the river surface, totally different "feel" from the gorge area.
Jblaze600 Thank you so much for watching and for your comment. I was only in NoVa for a couple of months but enjoyed the visit and there are so many great places to check out.
+NEKCanoeist Yeah I was surprised too. I was expecting a hoard. Lucky for me, the temps that morning were well below freezing and there were very high winds. This kept the crowds away. In addition to that, a storm the night before had knocked out power all over the area. I'm sure that also contributed to people not getting outside. I did not even have to pay the entrance fee for the park because their cash register was without power LOL! It was starting to get busy by the time I left the area but most of the morning I was alone. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching, my friend!
Beautiful area and I love the rock scrambles. I had no idea the Potomac River area was that gorgeous. The gorge is amazing. Glad you didn't take that wrong step! Man, the views just kept coming. I am surprised your video wasn't at least 30 minutes. You were blessed to enjoy the River Trail in such solitude. I have visited Washington DC several times. My next visit will have at least one hiking excursion, for sure. Thanks for sharing this spectacular trail. Enjoyed! Keep Hiking!
+Sleeves This video could have easily been much longer. It was a challenge to edit it down to as short as I could make it. Just about every step on this trail was awesome, one of the best hikes I have done in a long time. Next time you are in the D.C. area, I think Great Falls Park would be a great spot for you to check out. Go early though or you'll be out there with hoards of people. I was lucky because the freezing temps, high winds, and widespread power outages in the area that day kept people away. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, my friend. Thanks so much for watching!
It is a really cool trail. Definitely my favorite hike from my time in northern Virginia. I'm glad you enjoyed my video and found it interesting and useful. Thanks so much for watching and for your comment. I appreciate it. Have fun on your hike!
+Turtle Bushcraft The views were spectacular on this trail, one of the best hikes I have done in a long time. I am glad you enjoyed the video, thanks so much for watching!
+Kentucky Woodsman Yeah this section of river is just downstream from the Great Falls I showed in my previous video. Its a really spectacular area. The Maryland side of the river is also a national park so that really helps to preserve the "wild" feel to this section of river even though its right in a highly urbanized area. If you are ever in DC, try to make some time to visit this park, its pretty awesome! Thanks for watching, my friend!
Truly a great hike. You're right, the trail seems to keep on giving... There were just so many people the day that I went though. That's why I did the falls part and then went on to sky meadows. But had you posted this a week earlier I would have gotten up early last Sunday and hiked it...did you get any good pics at Cow Hoof Rock? Thanks for sharing and good narration.
+whatnot987 It is one of the best trails I have done in a long time, though I would not have enjoyed it if it had been crowded with people. Between the freezing temps, high winds, and power outages I just hit this spot at exactly the right time for me. Sorry I was "late" on posting the video, but yeah you should definitely return and hike this trail next time you are within range of it. I'll send you a few pics when I get a chance. Thanks for watching, man!
+dseed norway Thanks so much for watching! I really appreciate it! I also enjoy watching other's hiking videos. There is nothing like seeing a place for yourself, but when that is not possible, UA-cam is the next best thing.
I'm in VA too! My family loves Great Falls, it's stunning. We haven't done that trail before. I need to make that happen! I also film our hikes, if you're interested!
+Stacy Wilson Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. This was my first trip to Great Falls. I am based down in southern VA so I don't get up to NOVA very often. Next time you are out there, check out the River Trail, you will not be disappointed. To find the trail, just stay on the path that continues down river after the 3rd falls overlook and you'll see the sign where the River Trail heads off to the left and the Potowmac Canal Trail stays straight. I have watched several of your hiking videos and I've been subbed to your channel for a while. It's great to see you getting your kids interested in outdoors fun. Some of my best times are hiking with my little son.
Smell N Roses Hikings been great for my family. At first the kids weren't really into it, now they LOVE it! We're up here in NOVA, so most of our hikes are based up here. Like you mentioned in the video, we're so close to D.C., I'm always amazed at places like Great Falls. You wouldn't expect something like that here. We're totally gonna do this trail, thanks for making the video!
Pictures certainly do not do justice for Mather Gorge, your video did. I've seen many pictures and the cliffs looked like a diorama. This made the whole area look very awesome.
+Zachary Robbins It was an awesome trail. It was only 1.5 miles but this could have easily been a 30 minute video because there was something awesome every step of the trail. If I have time I want to do the Billy Goat Trail, same stretch of the river but its on the Maryland side. Thanks for watching and thanks for your positive comments about the video, glad you enjoyed it!
Great video. The Potomac is a great, powerful and historic river. Great Falls is an amazing (essentially) urban natural area. I remember as a kid the river was so polluted it would self combust at points in DC. Mother Nature really has a way of healing herself after our misuse. And, as you know, the Potomac flows into my beloved Chesapeake Bay. Thanks for sharing.
Joe
+Jeb & Joe Outdoors It's hard to believe that one can find a place like this right in the middle of all the rat race that makes up the D.C. suburbs. While at this park, you wouldn't know you were in such a highly urbanized area. I was so lucky that very cold temperatures and high winds kept the crowds away that day and I essentially had the park almost to myself. It was starting to get busy as I was leaving LOL! Over the last few months I have really enjoyed getting to see more of the Potomac, first from the flat lands of Virginia's Northern Neck down near the Chesapeake Bay, and now here just west of DC, and in a future video that will be uploading very soon, another view of the Potomac from just a little more to the west on the edge of the mountains. I'm glad you enjoyed this video. Thanks so much for watching, my friend!
WOW. at first was wondering if the river came up higher sometimes because you could see the white ring around the banks ,then you say it comes Over those cliffs?! insane!! so many great views. 9:35 was spectacular. Also amazing how close to DC you are, 10 miles from most cities you are still in the City, what a cool Oasis
+potatothorn Trust me, my friend, you are very much still in an urban environment as soon as you step outside the park boundary LOL! The Maryland side of the river is also a National Park (Chesapeake and Ohio Canal) so both sides being undeveloped helps maintain the "wilderness" feel. Normally both parks are extremely packed with people too, but fortunately the high winds and freezing temps kept people away. The views were definitely spectacular on this hike and almost non stop. Every step on the trail was within view of something amazing. It's a short but excellent hike. It is hard to imagine the volume of water that would be required to overflow those cliffs. I did not show it in any of my videos from this park, but there is one pole they have installed out there with the high water level marked with what year the flood occurred. At least of couple of them were ten feet or more above the ground, but keep in mind that "ground level" there is already 60 or 70 feet above the river's normal level. I would say the river was pretty close to normal level as seen in this video. I'm glad you enjoyed the views. Thanks so much for watching!
Smell N Roses i cant even imagine how much water that is what a huge volume/ im going to look over a map and see what the drainage area is like and also how close the city is.
potatothorn yeah take a look at the topographic profile for the area, it's very interesting. The river is actually much wider than this both up and down river from the falls/gorge. The river becomes very narrow as it passes here, picking up a lot of speed. While I was out there, I noticed how fast the water was moving and it has a lot of strong undercurrents due to the rocks. It's a really interesting environment. I didn't shoot any video, but I hiked along the river upstream from the falls too, and once you get past some rock islands above the falls, the river is very wide and peaceful and the river banks are less than 10 feet from the river surface, totally different "feel" from the gorge area.
Smell N Roses
very cool. I'll take a look at some topos and the "terrain view"
Great vid. Lived in NVA all my life, need to hit these trails again.
Jblaze600 Thank you so much for watching and for your comment. I was only in NoVa for a couple of months but enjoyed the visit and there are so many great places to check out.
Nice vid. Hiked these trails years ago.. going to go back one of these weekends coming up.
It's an awesome place. Thanks so much for watching. Enjoy your visit!
Nice trail! Surprised no other hikers so close to large populated areas. Thanks for sharing!
+NEKCanoeist Yeah I was surprised too. I was expecting a hoard. Lucky for me, the temps that morning were well below freezing and there were very high winds. This kept the crowds away. In addition to that, a storm the night before had knocked out power all over the area. I'm sure that also contributed to people not getting outside. I did not even have to pay the entrance fee for the park because their cash register was without power LOL! It was starting to get busy by the time I left the area but most of the morning I was alone. I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Thanks for watching, my friend!
Beautiful area and I love the rock scrambles. I had no idea the Potomac River area was that gorgeous. The gorge is amazing. Glad you didn't take that wrong step! Man, the views just kept coming. I am surprised your video wasn't at least 30 minutes. You were blessed to enjoy the River Trail in such solitude. I have visited Washington DC several times. My next visit will have at least one hiking excursion, for sure. Thanks for sharing this spectacular trail. Enjoyed! Keep Hiking!
+Sleeves This video could have easily been much longer. It was a challenge to edit it down to as short as I could make it. Just about every step on this trail was awesome, one of the best hikes I have done in a long time. Next time you are in the D.C. area, I think Great Falls Park would be a great spot for you to check out. Go early though or you'll be out there with hoards of people. I was lucky because the freezing temps, high winds, and widespread power outages in the area that day kept people away. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, my friend. Thanks so much for watching!
A very nice walk along the river, wonderful views, beautiful. Best regards Angela
+DRAUSSEN sein I'm glad you enjoyed the views. Thanks so much for watching. I appreciate your support!
Ahh very beautiful Park..and nice to hike.. Thumbs-up
+rona rona home cooking channel Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for watching!
Thanks for taking us along! It's a beautiful place!
+Albatross497 It is an awesome area, one of the best hikes I have done in a long time. Thanks so much for watching, man!
Going to hike this trail this weekend. Thanks for such a great and informative video. Gave me some great tips!
It is a really cool trail. Definitely my favorite hike from my time in northern Virginia. I'm glad you enjoyed my video and found it interesting and useful. Thanks so much for watching and for your comment. I appreciate it. Have fun on your hike!
That one big step off....Nice Scenery!
+WoodThump On this trail, you definitely have to watch your step LOL! It's a spectacular place to see though. Thanks for watching!
Great video! Thanks for sharing! Hope you have a good Monday! Thumbs up 👍🏼
+Shiny Knife Thank you very much for watching! Have a great day too!
Excellent! Much enjoyed, as usual.
+Survivalist2008 Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching. I appreciate it!
Wow that looks stunning!
+The Wild Native It is a really spectacular area. Thanks so much for watching, I really appreciate it!
What beautiful day for a hike. that was a great view down to the water. atb John
+Turtle Bushcraft The views were spectacular on this trail, one of the best hikes I have done in a long time. I am glad you enjoyed the video, thanks so much for watching!
Beautiful video, again thanks for sharing..................................THUMBS UP
+Duane T64 Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed my Great Falls park videos. Thanks for watching, I really appreciate your support!
Another beautiful location that I had no idea existed! It's really hard to imagine that being so close to Washington D.C.! Thanks for sharing!
+Kentucky Woodsman Yeah this section of river is just downstream from the Great Falls I showed in my previous video. Its a really spectacular area. The Maryland side of the river is also a national park so that really helps to preserve the "wild" feel to this section of river even though its right in a highly urbanized area. If you are ever in DC, try to make some time to visit this park, its pretty awesome! Thanks for watching, my friend!
Truly a great hike. You're right, the trail seems to keep on giving... There were just so many people the day that I went though. That's why I did the falls part and then went on to sky meadows. But had you posted this a week earlier I would have gotten up early last Sunday and hiked it...did you get any good pics at Cow Hoof Rock? Thanks for sharing and good narration.
+whatnot987 It is one of the best trails I have done in a long time, though I would not have enjoyed it if it had been crowded with people. Between the freezing temps, high winds, and power outages I just hit this spot at exactly the right time for me. Sorry I was "late" on posting the video, but yeah you should definitely return and hike this trail next time you are within range of it. I'll send you a few pics when I get a chance. Thanks for watching, man!
Love that water! :)
+KrizAkoni It is an awesome river. Even in the video you can tell how fast the water is moving! Thanks for watching, man! I appreciate it!
cool to see places other people hike. Nice video mate :)
+dseed norway Thanks so much for watching! I really appreciate it! I also enjoy watching other's hiking videos. There is nothing like seeing a place for yourself, but when that is not possible, UA-cam is the next best thing.
yup and I also use it discover new places to explore :)
awesome area. loved it
+Caveman Outdoors This was a really great trail, one of the best I've been on a while. I'm glad you enjoyed the video, my friend. Thanks for watching!
I'm in VA too! My family loves Great Falls, it's stunning. We haven't done that trail before. I need to make that happen! I also film our hikes, if you're interested!
+Stacy Wilson Thanks for watching. I really appreciate it. This was my first trip to Great Falls. I am based down in southern VA so I don't get up to NOVA very often. Next time you are out there, check out the River Trail, you will not be disappointed. To find the trail, just stay on the path that continues down river after the 3rd falls overlook and you'll see the sign where the River Trail heads off to the left and the Potowmac Canal Trail stays straight. I have watched several of your hiking videos and I've been subbed to your channel for a while. It's great to see you getting your kids interested in outdoors fun. Some of my best times are hiking with my little son.
Smell N Roses
Hikings been great for my family. At first the kids weren't really into it, now they LOVE it! We're up here in NOVA, so most of our hikes are based up here. Like you mentioned in the video, we're so close to D.C., I'm always amazed at places like Great Falls. You wouldn't expect something like that here. We're totally gonna do this trail, thanks for making the video!
Pictures certainly do not do justice for Mather Gorge, your video did. I've seen many pictures and the cliffs looked like a diorama. This made the whole area look very awesome.
+Zachary Robbins It was an awesome trail. It was only 1.5 miles but this could have easily been a 30 minute video because there was something awesome every step of the trail. If I have time I want to do the Billy Goat Trail, same stretch of the river but its on the Maryland side. Thanks for watching and thanks for your positive comments about the video, glad you enjoyed it!
a nice video man, i came from rockeastwood outdoors channel
Thanks so much for coming over and checking out my channel and this video. I really appreciate it!
Nice place
It is a spectacular place. Thanks for checking out my video.
pretty place
+phyllis mulkey Thanks so much for watching. Glad you enjoyed the views, it is a great place.
I am going there
You won't be disappointed. It's an awesome place. Thanks for checking out my video!
@@SmellNRoses it is beautiful
Totally bad-ass.
+Adventure Outdoors Thanks man! It was a super cool area, one of the best hikes I have done in a long time. Thanks for watching, my friend!
Can I bring my dog? He's tough.
As far as I know you can bring your dog on a leash. Check the park’s website to be sure. Its a great trail! Thanks for watching!
I looked at your video. Video I liked. Great! Impressive! I invite you to visit my channel. Thank you!
Thanks for watching. I subbed your channel as well.