Bull Run Mountain - Hike To The Overlook

Down the road from the parking to the right is the entrance - yes you will have to go across some active railroad tracks . This is also a good place to pick up your rock if you forgot to bring one from home - you will see later what the rock is for.

Up and over the railroad tracks

On the other side of the tracks are two options - mountain road or the new trail - for this hike they both go to the same place, so I took the one on the left (it's a little less strenuous)

You'll reach another branch in the trail - to the right will continue on mountain  road

Going left (the way the sign points) will put you on the fern trail - I prefer to come back that way, so I went right

Eventually you come to where the trail not taken at the railroad  tracks meets mountain road at your right

and continues on to your left - take this left

You will eventually see some benches to your left, and

The trail branches once again

Take the left turn, starting your trek up the hill

The trail flattens out for a little, and intersects the fern trail here - keep going straight - cardio time!

At the ridge line - yea! Things flatten out pretty much from here on up

You reach the intersection of the ridge trail. There used to be a warning  fence here, telling you not to go on 'private property'. That has been taken down and now everyone can go on to the overlook without feeling guilty about it. If you missed one of the turns back there, and continue to bear left, you will probably end up on the ridge trail. It has the steepest grade of all the trails here - yes including the one that brought you here. I leave that one to the health nuts. 

The overlook is only a half mile away!

You pass this sign telling you basically it's ok to go on. Whew! I'm glad the explained that!

Next you will come to the rememberance rock pile - now you know why you brought a rock. Carefully balance your rock on the others and proceed on

Overlook - just ahead!

And there it is!

Cliffs to the left

Cliffs to the right

I-66 way off in the distance

The balanced rock

                                                           Buzzards or hawks overhead

A good day, a good hike. about 5 miles round trip whichever trail you take up. You can bring your dog or your kids - they will eventually make it up there. For the dog, remember that there is no water up there, and he/she will be thirsty after that climb, so remember to bring some for him/her too and something for them to drink out of - i've found a plastic bag in a cap works if you don't have anything else.