Name of Trip: Patuxent National Wildlife Research Refuge

Date: Sunday, April 30 2017 

Time: 10:30 a.m. departure from the carpool location, or 11:00 a.m. meet at the Visitor’s Center

Location:  

South Tract – National Wildlife Visitor Center
10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop
Laurel, MD 20708

Phone: 301 497-5760
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/visit/directions.html

Carpool Location/Time:  Depart the Giant parking lot at 8750 Arliss St., Silver Spring, at 10:30 a.m.  Map of Carpool Location

 Overview:

The Visitor Center has a number of interesting exhibits on wildlife, including a photo gallery.  We can tour around the Visitor Center for a half hour, and then take the Tram Tour that is reserved for us at 11:30 a.m.  This half-hour guided tour travels through forest, meadows, and wetlands near the National Wildlife Visitor Center.  Wildlife species that may be seen include deer, beaver, great blue heron, and many more.   After returning to the Visitor Center we will have about an hour to spend between the Visitor Center and a choice of multiple hiking trails.  The hiking trails through woods and near lake shores provide many opportunities for viewing wildlife year round.

 

 

Boots, telephoto lenses, tripods, and polarizing filters are all good ideas!

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Patuxent/

 Leader:  Andrew Rein

Cost: Free

Directions:
From Washington, D.C.: Take Baltimore/Washington Parkway (Route 295) North, Exit 22 to Powder Mill Road-Beltsville exit. Turn right (east) onto Powder Mill Road and go 2.0 miles. Turn right into Visitor Center entrance (Scarlet Tanager Loop). Go 1.4 miles to Visitor Center Parking area.

Ideas for Lunch:

http://www.oldlinewine.com/bistro-2/ 

Old Line Fine Wine / Bistro
11011 Baltimore Avenue
Beltsville, MD 20705