IN PERSON: Cherry Blossom Morning Hike
Join the HCW for two different cherry blossom watching hikes in one!
When: Thursday, March 23, 2023, beginning at 7:00am. Short walk ends by 9:00am and long hike ends roughly at noon.
Where: Food kiosk at the Paddle Boat parking lot near Maine Ave., SW and Raoul Wallenberg PL, SW.
E
njoy Washington's famous – and unforgettable – vision of puffy white and blush-pink cherry blossoms encircling the Tidal Basin near daybreak, under the leadership of Club Member and "Walking Washington, DC" guidebook author Barbara J. Saffir. You can just attend our roughly 2-mile, "slowish" walk around the Tidal Basin or optionally continue for an additional 4.5 miles (at a moderate pace with photo stops) around Hains Point, with its younger cherry trees along the Potomac River. The National Park Service predicts that our hike will be right in the midst of Peak Bloom!
Meet: Food kiosk at the Paddle Boat parking lot near Maine Ave., SW and Raoul Wallenberg PL, SW. Google map to the kiosk here.
Weather Policy: We'll do the 2-mile Tidal Basin hike even if it rains or snows slightly but NOT the long Hains Point hike. Leader will email hikers by March 22nd at 6 p.m. with any changes.
Parking/Metro: Blue, Orange, and Silver lines to Smithsonian is the closest metro. Parking is available along Hains Point, but if you choose to drive and park, carefully examine all parking signs because parking is sometimes not legal until after 10 a.m.
Bring/wear: Dress in layers for changeable weather and wear nonslip shoes to handle broken sidewalks and mud. Long hikers need to bring water and an optional snack. Also optional but recommended: PINK clothing for photos, a camera, and a cheery smile.
Note: Please sign up for either the long or the short hike, so that Barbara knows who to expect for which leg!
Map of most of the cherry trees in Washington, DC
Fees: $5 per person.
Covid-related Safety Requirements: If you have recently tested positive or have symptoms, please do not attend this event. If you are ill, please notify us prior to the start of the event and we will be happy to credit your ticket payment to a future event. The Club encourages everyone to be vaccinated and boosted, and to wear masks indoors when not eating or drinking, especially when social distance cannot be maintained.