Difficult Run facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Difficult Run
The Difficult Run/Cross County Trail crossing the stream
Country	United States
Location	Northern Virginia
Physical characteristics
River mouth	Potomac River
Basin features
Basin size	57.7 sq mi (149 km2)

Difficult Run is a 15.9-mile-long (25.6 km) tributary stream in Northern Virginia. A tributary is a smaller stream that flows into a larger river. Difficult Run flows into the Potomac River.

This area has been used for many things since the early 1800s. Today, it's a popular spot for outdoor activities. People enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, boating, climbing, and watching birds here. You can find a lot of wildlife at Difficult Run. About 163 different types of animals can be seen, depending on the time of year.

The stream is part of a larger area called a watershed. This watershed is about 57.7 square miles. It is located in the northern part of Fairfax County. All the water in this area drains directly into the Potomac River.

Difficult Run flows through Fairfax County and reaches Great Falls Park. This park is on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. The part of the stream that goes through the park is very exciting. It has been called a "miniature Mather Gorge and Great Falls." The stream gets faster as it goes into a deep valley with waterfalls. It quickly reaches the same level as the Potomac River. From where Difficult Run meets the Potomac, you can see amazing views of the river.

What's the Story Behind the Name?

Difficult Run is a stream that flows into the Potomac River. It's about 15.9 miles long. The stream is in Fairfax County and drains right into the Potomac River.

The name "Difficult Run" doesn't come from the stream's own fast-moving water. Instead, it was named by old boatmen. These boatmen worked for the Patowmack Company. They found two sharp bends in the Potomac River, near where Difficult Run joins it, very tricky to navigate.

How Was Difficult Run Used in the Past?

Old Mills and Roads

Many years ago, there were mills along Difficult Run. One was Tolston's Mill, located on the east side of the trail. The Madeira School now owns this land. Leigh Mill was on the west side and was used to grind corn into flour in the late 1800s. Colvin's Mill is now part of Colvin Run Mill Park. Brown's Mill was on a smaller stream that flowed into Difficult Run.

Old roads also followed the stream. Old Georgetown Pike became a state highway in 1974. This road was used by early settlers and Native Americans. They used it to bring goods from Loudoun County and the Shenandoah Valley to Georgetown. Another old road was the Old Leesburg Pike. This road used to cross Difficult Run. General Braddock used this old highway during the French and Indian Wars. He marched his troops along this road on their way to Fort Duquesne. You can still see parts of the old road, but it's not used anymore.

Historic Homes and Taverns

The Thomas Peacock house is still on the eastern side of Difficult Run. This land was once owned by George Washington. The Sheppards bought it from him and built the house in the early 1800s. An 18th-century miller's house also stands on Difficult Run. It was built by the miller of the mill on Hunter Mill Road. Wiley's Tavern was located south of the current Leesburg Pike.

How is Difficult Run Used Today?

Today, the trails along Difficult Run are great for hiking, biking, and enjoying nature. The stream itself is known for its exciting rapids. These rapids are rated differently as you go downstream. There are seven rapids in the stream, with ratings from Class III to Class V. Difficult Run is also famous for its beautiful views of the Potomac River and the Mather Gorge cliffs.

Fun Things to Do at Difficult Run

Difficult Run offers many fun outdoor activities. These include hiking, biking, climbing, boating, fishing, and sightseeing. The area around the stream has several parks and trails. These trails start in Reston and go all the way to the Potomac River. Difficult Run also gives you access to Great Falls National Park. This means even more options for outdoor fun!

Mountain Biking Adventures

A special 12-mile (19 km) trail was built along Difficult Run. It goes from Reston to Great Falls Park. This trail is very popular with mountain bikers. It has rolling hills that make for fast, smooth rides. Some parts of the trail need more advanced biking skills.

The most popular part for mountain biking starts near Michael Faraday Court. It goes behind the SkateQuest-Reston ice skating rink. From there, it follows the stream valley to Lake Fairfax. After Lake Fairfax, the trail crosses Hunter Mill Road. Then it follows Difficult Run all the way to Great Falls Park. Great Falls Park is managed by the National Park Service. Also, almost the entire length of Difficult Run has the Cross County Trail next to it. This trail is kept up by the Fairfax County Park Authority.

Hiking Trails and Views

The Difficult Run trail enters Great Falls Park. It offers amazing views of the Potomac River and Great Falls. The trail is 4.9 miles long if you go there and back. It usually takes about 2.5 hours to hike. You can also get to other trails in Great Falls National Park from here. These include the Ridge trail, Matildaville trail, Swamp trail, and Old Carriage Road. The trail has clear signs to help you find your way. Along the trail, you'll find Cow Hoof Rock. This is a popular spot for rock climbers.

Fishing Fun

You can fish at Great Falls National Park and Difficult Run. If you are 16 years or older, you need a fishing license. This part of the Potomac River is known for Smallmouth Bass, Sunfish, and Catfish. Remember to clean up all your trash. The park has a no-trash policy and no trash cans on site.

Boating on the Rapids

Boating is one of the most popular activities on the Potomac River near Difficult Run. Many people enjoy whitewater boating, like kayaking or canoeing. The rapids in Great Falls Park are rated from Class II (moderately easy) to Class VI. Class VI rapids are considered extremely dangerous.

A series of rapids starts at the Difficult Run Georgetown Pike entrance. These rapids lead directly into the Potomac River. The rapids along the Difficult Run stream itself range from Class III to Class V. The Potomac River has many challenging currents and waves. Swimming, wading, and tubing are not allowed in the river.

Rock Climbing Adventures

View of the Mather Gorge that is visible from the end of the Difficult Run Trail.

Climbing at Difficult Run is a thrilling activity. There are many rocks that offer creative climbing options. Some climbers follow specific routes near the Potomac River. These routes can be from 25 to 75 feet long. All climbing here is "top rope" climbing. This means the rope is secured from above. You are not allowed to drill screws into the rock. You must bring all your own climbing gear.

Climbing routes are closed when the water level is high. This is usually when the Little Falls gauge reads above 4.5. You can find this reading daily in the Washington Post's "River Stages" section.

Cow Hoof Rock has 9 different climbing routes. Their difficulty ranges from 5.8 to 5.12. Some of these climbs include:

• F.I.S.T. (5.9-)
• Hemlock (5.10+)
• Hard Nut (A3)
• Socrates’ Downfall (5.8)
• Claws (5.12)
• Titania (5.10-)
• Ariel (5.9)
• Caliban (5.8)
• It's the Feet (5.10-)

Animals and Plants of Difficult Run

American-Copperhead snake: The only venomous snake which inhabits Difficult Run Trail

Many different kinds of birds, fish, and other animals live along the Difficult Run trail. You might spot muskrats and beavers in the stream. The stream flows into the river, which is home to various fish.

About 163 different types of birds live here. These include ducks, geese, and herons. You might also see songbirds, woodpeckers, vultures, and kingfishers. When it comes to snakes, the copperhead is the only venomous snake found on the trail.

In the spring, colorful birds like the Scarlet Tanager and Kentucky Warbler come to this area. These birds fly north to live here for the summer, including Fairfax County. They are songbirds with bright feathers of gold, red, and blue. Ground-nesting birds, like the Kentucky warbler, appear first in the spring. Scarlet Tanagers build their nests in the trees. Other birds native to the trail in spring are the Prothonotary warbler and Swallows.

For plants, Skunk cabbage is one of the first to bloom in January. Other seasonal flowers include Pink lady slippers, Fairy spuds, and Trout lilies.

Geography of Difficult Run

The Trail Itself

The Difficult Run trail is located inside Great Falls Park. It's on the Virginia side of the park. The trail is 0.7 miles long one way, making it a 1.4-mile round trip. This beautiful trail starts near Georgetown Pike. It ends where the Difficult Run stream meets the Potomac River.

Some parts of the trail are narrow and rocky. Most of the trail is not paved, but there are a few paved areas. Hikers, cyclists, and horseback riders can use Difficult Run to connect to the Fairfax Cross Country Trail. This connection can be made near the Georgetown Pike end of the Difficult Run trail. Pets are allowed on the trail, but they must always be on a leash.

The Difficult Run Watershed

The Difficult run tributary as seen from the Georgetown Pike entrance, before it flows into the Potomac River

Difficult Run is part of a 57.7-square-mile watershed. This watershed is in the northern part of Fairfax County. All the water in this area flows directly into the Potomac River. As the stream travels, it goes over many rapids and through rocky areas.

There are 9 other streams and smaller tributaries that flow into or out of the Potomac River in this area. These include Captain Hickory Run, Piney Run, Colvin Run, Snakeden Branch, Little Difficult Run, Rocky Run, Angelico Branch, Piney Branch, and Wolftrap Creek. Several major highways cross the water, such as Leesburg Pike, I-66, Route 50, and the Dulles Access Road. The W&OD Trail also crosses it.

The water from Difficult Run helps form four man-made lakes: Lake Anne, Lake Fairfax, Lake Thoreau, and Lake Audubon. Difficult Run flows through many different types of areas. These range from thick forests to city areas. Just before it flows into the Potomac River, it goes through a narrow valley with tall cliffs. Difficult Run has the largest watershed in Fairfax County.

Soil Types in the Area

There are 41 different types of soil found along the trail and stream. Two main soil groups are common: the Glenelg-Elioak-Manor association and the Manor-Glenelg-Elioak association. Glenelg soil makes up 40.5% of the watershed area. It is found throughout the area, especially on hilltops and slopes. Manor soils make up almost 11% of the watershed.

A big problem in the Difficult Run area is too much sediment in the water. This sediment then flows into Chesapeake Bay. In 1993, a group called Fairfax Relief and the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District worked on a project. They planted 1,109 native hardwood trees on a large flood plain to help restore the stream.

Much of the soil here is marine clay. This type of soil is found all over Fairfax County. It can cause problems because it swells up when wet and shrinks when it dries. This can lead to land slipping, unstable slopes, and poor drainage. Another rare soil problem in this area is naturally occurring asbestos fibers. These come from weathered greenstone bedrock. Asbestos can be dangerous if not found and handled properly. Soil conservation efforts have been ongoing in the Difficult Run area for a long time. These efforts help prevent landslides, erosion, and pollution from metals.

Bridges and Crossings

Many roads and trails cross Difficult Run. All these crossings are in Fairfax County, Virginia. Pedestrian-only bridges are marked in italic.

Image	Crossing	Location	Opened	Coordinates	Notes
	SR 193 (Georgetown Pike)	Great Falls–McLean	1978	38°47′24″N 77°03′05″W / 38.7899°N 77.0514°W / 38.7899; -77.0514
	SR 738 (Old Dominion Drive)		1979
	Cross County Trail
	SR 683 (Leigh Mill Road)		2011
	Cross County Trail
	SR 7 (Leesburg Pike)	Great Falls–McLean / Wolf Trap	1969
	SR 675 (Browns Mill Road)	Wolf Trap	1969
	Cross County Trail
	SR 267 Toll (Dulles Toll Road / Dulles Access Road) Washington Metro Silver Line		1963, 1984
	Cross County Trail
	Washington & Old Dominion Trail
	SR 674 (Hunter Mill Road)	Wolf Trap–Oakton	2011
	SR 673 (Lawyers Road)	Reston–Oakton	1985
	Gabrielson Bridge	Difficult Run–Oakton			Old bridge built in the late 1940s and removed in 2018; a new bridge is being planned.
	SR 672 (Vale Road)		1986
	Cross County Trail (Old Vale Road Bridge)
	SR 665 (Waples Mill Road)	Difficult Run—Oakton / Fair Oaks	1970
	Valley Road	Fair Oaks
	US 50 (Lee Jackson Memorial Highway) I-66		1964		The stream flows under the road here.
	Random Hills Road
	Monument Drive		2004
	Fairfax Government Center footbridge
	Fairfax Government Center footbridge
	Fairfax Government Center footbridge
	Fairfax Government Center footbridge
	Government Center Parkway