MNPS Field Trip: Winter Solstice Walk & Hooley at Chapman Forest

Leaders: Rod Simmons, Jim Long, John Burke, Alan Ford, Richard Murray, Carole Bergmann and Greg Zell

Sponsors: MNPS, VNPS Potowmack Chapter, Botanical Society of Washington, Mattawoman Watershed Society

Celebrate the winter season at Chapman Forest (Chapman State Park) with its spectacular scenery and remarkable diversity of native plants, wildlife, and natural communities.  

This year, we will visit the old-age forest section from the extensive Water-willow Shrublands along the Potomac River to the marl cliffs and ravines near Glymont.  This section of the park is a fascinating and regionally unique meeting ground for plants with a primary range in the inner piedmont and mountains and those of the coastal plain.  

Notes:  

Most of the walk traverses rolling, fairly open forest along trails, though some steep grades will occasionally be encountered.

Cancelled for heavy-steady snow, sleet, or pouring rain, but not for snow flurries or drizzling rain.

Free field trip.  Registration is not required. 

Bring: Wear sturdy shoes and bring lunch or snacks and water.  
 
Directions: Take Indian Head Highway (Rt. 210) south from Capital Beltway (495).  Proceed south on Rt. 210 for app. 15 miles.  Continue on Rt. 210 past the Rt. 227 intersection at Bryans Road (McDonald's, Burger King, and shopping center on right and a builders supply will be on left) and start looking for Chapman Landing Road on right.  Take half right on Chapman Landing Road and proceed a couple of miles to entrance to Mount Aventine (Chapman State Park) on right.  Park and meet in parking lot at entrance gate (additional parking is available along the shoulder of Chapman Landing Road, though please be mindful of the neighboring residents and careful not to damage the road edges when parking).

Contact:  Liz Jones, elksjones at aol.com