The Bull Run Mountains Conservancy manages 800 acres of forest on the southern end of Bull Run Mountains. Despite its small size this venue has a fairly interesting network of trails. I rate most of the trails as easy although segments of the trails that follow the ridge can provide a pretty good cardio-vascular workout. For this reason I rate the overall hike as moderate. The primary loop is only about4.6 miles in length but additional out-and-backs to visit graveyards, mill and homestead ruins, quarry sites, a fantastic view of Fauquier County and a pretty unique trash dump puts the total mileage at about7.4 miles. This was also the scene of a very important Civil War military engagement, the Battle of Thoroughfare Gap, the results of which had major implications for the Second Battle of Manassas. Visit The Bull Run Mountain Conservancy Site for more information.

Trail Notes:

The conservancy uses a unique trail marking system designed and installed by Boy Scouts. Each trail intersection has a post with colored discs. Note that there are still blazes on the trees. These are from previous management and may not match the color on the post. Post color has priority! Also, as of 11/05 the color coding of some trails have been changed andd some trails have been combined. Unofficial, unsigned or blazed trails are shown as orange on this map. The following description uses these changes.Some, but not all, of the intersections have signs. What is there is correct. Also note that the section of Ridge Trail north of the BRMC boundary is not under the Conservancy’s jurisdiction and is not blazed or maintained. Finally, the map shows an “un-named” trail that parallels the Old Quarry Trail (Blue) and follows the northern portion of Cattlet’s Run. This is not an official trail but one worth exploring.

Starting at the trailhead kiosk cross the railroad tracks. Soon come to the intersection of Mountain Rd (white disc) and a boardwalk (Now the beginning of Fern Hollow Tr – Black Disc). Turn left onto the board walk.Follow the trail to the first information post. Here are the remains of the Chapman home and an old ice house. Behind you is a side trail with a green disc – The Chapman Tr. Follow this to visit the Chapman Graveyard. Proceed to the top of the hill to view the Quarry trench at the junction of the Quarry Tr – Brown Disc). This section was originally called the Quarry Trench Tr. (There may not be a trail post at this junction.)All of the rock used to build the structures in this area came from this trench. Turn left and follow the Quarry Trail back to the Fern Hollow Tr. From this junction you’ll view what remains of Beverly Mill, constructed in the late 1700’s and destroyed by arsonists in 1998.

Turn right at this junction and soon come to the ruins of another old mill as the Fern Hollow Trail (Black disc)turn right and begins a gradual ascent. At 0.52 miles from the last mill arrive at the Ridge Tr (Blue disc). Turn left on the Ridge trail and continue to climb, steeply at first. As you reach the ridge line the trail will bear right onto an old woods road. In 0.9 miles pass the junction of the Ridge loop Trail (Red disc but might look orange due to fading) on the right. The trail post is on the left. In another 0.16 miles you’ll be off of Conservancy property. Continue to follow the old road for another 0.33 miles. You’ll have to work your way around some fallen trees but keep bearing to the west to find the trail. Shortly after leaving the conservancy the trail splits, just behind a fallen tree. You want to bear to the left, staying in sight of the ridge. As you near the crest of the hill the trail and ridge line come closer together. At this point there is a great viewing platform called High Point to the left with an unobstructed view of Fauquier County and the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Return to the junction of the Ridge Loop Tr (red disc) and turn left onto it. In 0.72 miles descend to a hollow and the junction of the Quarry Trail (Brown disc). Turn left, crossing Cattlet’s Br, and follow the trail along a bench next to the stream until you reach an obvious trash dump on the right. Here you will find items of antiquity dating back beyond the 60’s. The continuation of Old Quarry trail is on a hill on the north side of the pile and can be a bit hard to find. I prefer to stay on the streamside bench and follow it on an unofficial trail until you come to a small pile of branches and thin logs laying across the trail. Cross the stream here and turn right. The trail is usually obvious to follow. In more vague spots there will be some thin logs laying parallel to the intended path. At about 0.38 miles from the last trail junction you will see an old quarry area with stone seats on the opposite bank. I like to take a break here. There are supposed to be more stone ruins further north of this point but I’ve yet to explore that far up.

Retrace your steps to the junction of the Ridge Loop Tr and continue south on the Quarry Trail (Brown disc). In about 0.1 miles come to the junction of the Dawson Tr (yellow disc) on the left. Turn left. Pass Cattlet’s Branch Trail (wine/purple disc) on the left, Staying on Dawson’s Tr. Climb a slight hill. On the right will be the foundation of the old Dawson farm house. As you descend, a trail leading to the Dawson Graveyard is to the left. At 0.33 miles from the last trail junction arrive at the Mountain Rd (White disc). If you choose to end the hike early a right turn here will find you back at the car in about 0.4 miles. Otherwise, turn left, descend, pass Catlett’s Br Tr on the left and cross Catlett’s Br. Soon pass an old farm house on the left and turn right onto East End Trail (about 0.47 miles from the junction with Dawson Tr, It has a lime Green disc). Follow this back to Beverly Mill Rd, crossing the tracks as you go.

At 0.78 miles from the previous trail junction come to Beverly Mills Rd. Turn right here and walk 0.43 miles back to the car.
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Originally Published at MidAtlanticHikers.com/VA http://www.midatlantichikes.com/id16.html

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The word ‘Occoquan’, translated from the Doag Indian dialect means ‘at the end of the water’.”

“Early colonial settlers adhered to the English custom of naming water courses by the tidal characteristics, A broad tidal stream was called a river and a small tidal stream, a creek. The water channels above the tidal level, however, flowed in one direction only and were named ‘rundles’ or ‘runs’.”

“The Bull Run-Occoquan stream valley was originally inhabited by the Taux and Doag groups of the Powhatan Confederacy which were rapidly diminished during the early years of European settlement. During this time the Run served as a wilderness highway and surveying landmark. Although virtually untouched by the American Revolution, the Bull Run-Occoquan stream valley was the site of the first and major Civil War battle fought over the defense of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad crossing. During the reconstruction years, this same railroad line brought prosperity briefly to the town of Clifton, famed for the ‘paradise springs’ and the first location in the county to be serviced by electricity. The power plant remains standing below Hemlock Overlook.”

“During the Civil War, Bull Run was the site of military medical, supply and evacuation units during the first battle of the Civil War, the Battle of First Manassas. That battle is re-enacted at Bull Run every year on Memorial Day to help keep alive that sad part of our country’s history.”

(Excerpt from Happy Trails, a guide to Northern Virginia Regional Parks published by the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA))

Every once in a while you can get surprised by a trail. The Bull Run/Occoquan Trail falls into the category of being a BIG surprise. Right in the midst of the urban sprawl of Fairfax/Prince William Counties is a small piece of paradise. Hikers going from the Hemlock Overlook Regional Park to the Bull Run Marina may pinch themselves to make sure they haven’t been transported to a stream somewhere in West Virginia – it’s that kind of experience.

The 5,000 acres of Occoquan parklands offer visitors a special hiking experience unbelievably close to a huge number of county and regional residents. Yet the trail is surprisingly unknown to most residents in the county. The trail system along the Bull Run stream/river and Occoquan reservoir (the fresh water supply for half of Fairfax County) offers hikers and horseback riders 18 to 20 miles of continuous blazed trails between Fountainhead and Bull Run Regional Parks. The run is simply beautiful, with small Class 1 rapids above Bull Run Marina (up to Rt. 28) during the spring-time months of the year. (During summer months, canoers might want to put in at the parking area at Rt. 28 and canoe downstream from there to avoid low water conditions.) At all times of the year, the trail is outstanding, and the fishing is pretty good too (license required).

From Bull Run Marina west, the trail (muddy in spots) roughly follows Bull Run, a “stream” of sizeable proportions. From Bull Run Marina east, Bull Run is actually the Occoquan reservoir which is more “lake-like” in nature. The eastern end of the trail crosses the small stream valleys that feed into the Occoquan and is hilly, following through mostly oak and some hemlock forest. The western end of the trail flattens out, following through oak forests that generally give way to overgrown fields, and becomes virtually level past Rt. 28.

My favorite stretches run from Popes Head Creek east to Bull Run Marina, and from Bull Run Marina east to Fountainhead Regional Park. The trail alternately follows along the Run/reservoir and courses in and out of small ridges and stream valleys that take off from the main stream. In spots, there are beautiful stands of hemlocks framing the sparkling waters of the run/reservoir. A great way to relax, and only 20 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Burke and Fairfax. Somehow, along the water, it’s very hard to believe you’re still so close to home.

The area the trail crosses through is steeped in Civil War history. The Bull Run/Occoquan River comprised the boundary of the “Alexandria Line” thrown up by the Confederates to protect against a Union move towards Richmond, Virginia, the Confederate capital. During “First Manassas”, the first major conflict between the Confederate and Union armies, Confederate General Beauregard placed forces at fords near Union Mills (just west of present day Hemlock Overlook area), Blackburn’s Ford (at Rt. 28), Mitchell’s Ford (at Ordway Road), Ball’s Ford (just west of Interstate 66), Lewis’ Ford (in the Manassas Battlefield Park), and the Stone Bridge over Bull Run (also in the Manassas Battlefield Park). The trail passes directly past the first three. Blackburn’s Ford was the site of the first battle of First Manassas, where Union forces were driven back by determined Confederate forces hidden in a line of trees on the south bank of Bull Run. Between Blackburn’s Ford and Union Mills ford, the trail crosses under the Southern Railroad trestle, site of the first battle of note during the Civil War. The wooden trestles of this bridge were burned repeatedly during the Civil War, and the stone foundations are still plainly visible. Further east, hikers are treated to more recent history as they pass by the ruins of an electrical generation plant that supplied power to Clifton, the first town in Fairfax County to receive electrical power. The remainder of the trail crosses numerous old wagon roads whose history is now lost to time.

Since this is a “straight-through” one-way hike, a car shuttle is recommended – but it’s well worth the bother. Other hikers with only one vehicle might opt to do an “in and out” by retracing their steps back to their car. Hikers will be treated to wildflowers and flowering mountain laurel in the spring, and plenty of birds and other waterfowl on the reservoir section. You might even scare up a whitetail deer or two along the way. The views across the reservoir are especially nice.

Clever hikers who want to join with their friends for an outstanding Saturday or Sunday walk might opt for a “barbecue hike”. A group driver can drop the hikers off at Bull Run Marina (or further west depending on the hiker’s ability), then head east to the Fountainhead Regional Park Picnic area and set up the grill and fixin’s. If your cook is a good fisherman, he might decide to rent a “john” boat at Fountainhead and see if he can bring in the “fresh catch of the day” for dinner. At the end of the hike, everyone can join in on an evening barbecue.
The ride to the trail is part of the fun. Individuals not well acquainted with the southern part of Fairfax County will be surprised at the rural nature of the region. This is what Fairfax used to be like before the development rush of the ’70s and ’80s – narrow country roads coursing between deep forests and open meadows. The Fairfax County government put the lands within the Occoquan watershed under special 5-acre lot zoning restrictions which has kept the land in forest and field, except in those areas where Fairfax’s “well to do” have chosen to build their mansions. A ride into southern Fairfax can be a trip back in time.