The walk starts at the gravel parking area on the south
side of the building furthest from the South Run RECenter Park entrance at
the Fairfax County Parkway.
- Take the asphalt trail from the gravel parking area
into the woods.
- A dirt trail intersects from the left. Continue straight
on the asphalt trail down the hill.
- An asphalt trail intersects from the left. Turn left
to follow South Run downstream.
- A gravel trail intersects from the left at the point
where the asphalt trail turns to the right. (This is part of a loop trail
for those people starting from the Hooes Road parking area.) Continue on
the asphalt trail across the narrow bridge and turn left after crossing
the bridge.
- A side asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue
to the left on the main asphalt trail.
- A side asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue
to the left on the main asphalt trail.
- Lake Mercer can be seen on the left in this section
of trail.
- A side asphalt trail intersects from the right. Continue
to the left on the asphalt trail as it leaves Lake Mercer temporarily to
cross a side stream.
- A side asphalt trail intersects from the right to form
a triangle. Continue left on the main asphalt trail as it continues to circle
the lake.
- The trail crosses the Lake Mercer dam.
- A vehicle barrier appears on the other side of the
dam. People starting their walk from Hooes Road should turn right here to
follow the natural surface trail down the hill. People starting from the
South Run RECenter should pass through the barrier and follow the asphalt
trail to the left.
- A short asphalt trail intersects from the cluster on
the right. Continue straight on the main asphalt trail.
- An asphalt trail intersects from between the houses
on the right. Keep to the left to follow the main trail behind the houses.
- The trail makes a U-turn as it crosses a culvert.
- The asphalt trail ends. Take the dirt and gravel trail
to the left to pass through a gate in a nearby fence. Do not take the dirt
trail that continues in the same direction as the asphalt trail that ended.
- The trail intersects with a dirt and gravel service
road. Turn right to follow the service road with the lake on your left.
You will notice trail markers along the service road.
- The service road intersects with a cul-de-sac at the
end of Wagon Trail Lane. Take the narrow trail into the woods on the opposite
side of the cul-de-sac. A sign marks the trail.
- This bridge was an Eagle Scout project. Notice the
plaque on the side of the trail.
- The trail intersects with an asphalt trail. If you
started from the South Run RECenter go straight onto the asphalt trail.
If you started from Hooes Road turn left and follow the asphalt trail over
the bridge. After crossing the bridge turn left onto the asphalt trail.
Follow the instructions from point 5 until reaching point 11 in the instructions.
- Turn right at the next asphalt trail intersection and
follow that trail up the hill.
- The walk ends back at the parking area.
Directions from the Hooes Road Parking Area
There is only a narrow strip of land providing for parking
along Hooes Road next to the Lake Mercer service road.
H1. Walk along the service road after passing the vehicle
barrier on that road.
H2. An asphalt trail intersects from the right. Follow
that trail up the hill. It will change to gravel and dirt along the way.
H3. At the top of the hill go straight to join the
asphalt trail as it passes through the barrier. Follow instructions for points
12 through 19 and 5 through 11 to return to this access trail.
Pictorial Directions
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