Near Reservation 630 Trail
Small stream waterfalls along the Melvin C. Hazen Trail, Nov. 2018.
Near Reservation 630 Trail
Western Ridge Trail Strenuous heading south on approach to descending rockface.
Near Reservation 630 Trail
Westen Ridge Northern Entrance (at Pierce Mill) for either Strenuous (lower) or Moderate (upper). Best to take Moderate south and come back Strenuous. Easier to climb Strenuous rockface than crab-walk down.
Near Reservation 630 Trail
Peirce Mill
Near Reservation 630 Trail
Fun and easy stream crossing along the Melvin C. Hazen trail, Nov. 2018.

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Hike Trail

Reservation 630 Trail

4.5 (4 Ratings)
Intermediate scenic and quiet wooded trail along a stream valley tributary to Rock Creek.
0.5
mi
Distance
173
ft
Gain
moderate
Difficulty
Fall ColorsRiver/CreekSpringWaterfall

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
0.5mi
Distance
173ft
Elevation Gain
14ft
Elevation Loss
20%
Max Grade
220ft
High Point
59ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
The NPS Reservation 630 (formerly Melvin C. Hazen) Trail is a hiking trail in within Rock Creek Park and Piney Branch Parkway. The trail runs for a total length of about 0.5 mile, with an elevation gain of 573 feet, and follows a stream valley tributary to Rock Creek through natural wooded terrain. In a few sections near Connecticut Avenue the trail climbs/drops steeply in a stair step fashion. On the eastern section (between Connecticut Ave and Rock Creek Park) the trail goes past several small waterfalls and makes four easy stream crossings on stones and fallen trees. During periods of higher water levels, one of the stream crossings requires careful attention since the stones that would normally aid in crossing may be underwater, but with some careful scrambling one can cross the stream using a large fallen tree adjacent to the stones (10-20 feet downstream). On the eastern end, this trail connects with the Western Ridge Trail and the Track Trail near Peirce Mill.

Route Conditions

Report Conditions
No Condition Reports
Report Conditions

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Contributors
Abraham Padilla