[SkateDC] Indian Head Rail Trail

[George Marinkovich]

Some thoughts about the Indian Head Rail Trail (http://www.traillink.com/ViewTrail.aspx?AcctID=6016051):

The entire Indian Head Rail Trail is 26.8 miles long.  

The trail is mile-marked so you can skate whatever distance you like up to 28 miles.  You just have to pick where you want to turn around.

The closest parking location to us seems to be:

Bensville County Park
Intersection of: Bensville Rd. & Robie Manor Dr.
6980 Bensville Road
White Plains, MD  20695

Google Map Directions:  
http://tinyurl.com/Indian-Head-Trail-Parking

Bensville Park appears to be a baseball and soccer field complex near the trail.  There's ample parking available at Bensville Park and it has restroom facilities.  The trail is 1/4 mile south on Bensville Rd. (MD-229) from the park.

The Bensville Park entrance is not at either end of the trail, but closer to the middle.  Heading west from Bensville the trail goes 9.7 miles to Indian Head (Mattingly Road).  Heading east from Bensville the trail goes 4.4 miles to White Plains (Theodore Green Blvd.).  The west part of the trail is apparently the more scenic part.  A Bald
Eaglet has been spotted on the western part of the trail.  I would recommend skating west from Bensville toward Indian Head first and doing the eastern part of the trail last.

[At the Indian Head end one can add a short detour (0.6 miles) to
Mattingly Park on Mattawoman Creek. Just turn left and follow Mattingly
Road to the end. There you will find a boat ramp, pier, and gazebo as
well as Up the Creek Rentals, which has kayaks, bike rentals, and bike
repairs, as well as a few snacks for sale
(http://www.upthecreekrntls.com/). The proprietor, Mike Jones, is an
avid rail trail cyclist, very friendly, and very knowledgeable about
routes in the area.] 

For those wishing to carpool, the Oxon Hill Fringe Parking Lot is on the way, right off of the beltway at Indian Head Hwy.  There's no charge for parking there.

Google Map Directions to the carpool location:
http://tinyurl.com/Oxon-Hill-Fringe-Parking-Lot

It's about half an hour's drive to the trail from the carpool location.

I'd like to go there some Saturday soon.  Basically the first Saturday that looks like it will have nice weather (little to no chance of rain, pleasant temperatures).  Maybe an 11 AM start time.

Let me know if you have any ideas or recommendations.

Cheers,
George