Burke, VA (USA)

While AT hiking trips are off the table, I’ve had limited options nearby for long walks with varied scenery. Today I decided to go a bit farther away from home and circle Burke Lake. Couldn’t remember when I’d been there last and I left home unsure about whether Fairfax County might have blocked access over the last few years (or because of the pandemic). I was in luck to find that my favorite parking location was still available and hadn’t yet filled up when I arrived (0930). Hiked into the woods on a dirt road until I reached the Burke Lake Trail and then started my counterclockwise circuit. The loop is over four miles with continuous views of the many inlets and islands. There was also a multi-stop exercise course but I didn’t try any of those stations. There weren’t a lot of people in the beginning, just a few runners and bikers. The weather was nice (low 50s)! I saw so many birds - Bald Eagles, Herons, Geese and several kinds of Ducks, along with the littler, singing varieties. Took a side trail and talked to a fisherman who was waist deep in the water. He told me he’d been having a hard time getting his quiet time because of the racket that the geese and herons were making on a rookery island nearby (I heard what he meant!). After passing the marina, I got a bit lost and ended up on a bushwhacker track near the levee. Passed stalking herons and sleeping ducks... Back on the main trail, it started to get extremely crowded - lots of people with dogs, playing kids, large groups of bikers, couples holding hands - and no one was making room for anyone to pass. I couldn’t get done fast enough! When I finished the loop and reached my car (1145), I could see what happened: the lot had filled to capacity. Thank goodness I’m an early bird... Felt good to try something different than my neighborhood sidewalks!