Going on a Bear Hunt LbNA #19180 (ARCHIVED)

Claude Moore Park
21544 Cascades Parkway
Sterling, VA


Directions: From Rt. 7, take Cascades Parkway South. After the light at Nokes Blvd., take the 1st left into Claude Moore Park at Old Vestal's Gap Rd. (It's a tricky turn, so be careful!) Park at the visitor's center. Grab a map. Hop out of the car and let's begin.


We're going on a bear hunt, we're gonna catch a big one, we're not scared! Uh, oh! A road. A long gravel road. Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Oh, no! I guess we'll have to follow it. . . hop, skip. . .hop, skip. . .hop,skip. Go left towards the nature center. Soon you will see a fence on your left. Turn left just before the fence and follow the path.
We're going on a bear hunt, we're gonna catch a big one, we're not scared! Uh, oh! A bridge. A cute short bridge. Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Oh, no! I guess we'll have to cross it. . .clomp, clomp. . .clomp, clomp. . .clomp, clomp. Once over the bridge, "bear" left on the yellow connecting trail and then "bear" right on to the orange blazed trail.
We're going on a bear hunt, we're gonna catch a big one, we're not scared! Uh, oh! A tunnel. A big bush like tunnel. Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Oh, no! I guess we'll have to jump through it. . .boing, boing. . .boing, boing. . .boing, boing. Soon you will come to a T in the path. Go right following the orange trail.
We're going on a bear hunt, we're gonna catch a big one, we're not scared! Uh, oh! A cave. A long, tall, tree lined cave. Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Oh, no! I guess we'll have to go through it. . .Stumble, trip. . .stumble, trip. . .stumble, trip. Follow the "cave" as it bends around a curve. You will come to a yellow connecting trail on your right. Don't stray. Stay on the orange trail, but be real quiet. Shhhhh! Just a few more steps ahead on your left.
We're going on a bear hunt, we're gonna catch a big one, we're no scared! Uh, oh! A tree. A double orange blazed tree. Can't go over it. Can't go under it. I guess we'll have to look behind it. . .tip, toe. . .tip, toe. . .tip, toe. Shhhh! Just behind the tree is a 7 trunked tree. And look! . . . inside, I think I see two big furry ears, two big googly eyes, one wet shiney nose, and a big furry body! AAHHHHHH! IT'S A BEAR!
Once you've stamped in, you may then, in true Bear Hunt form, run like crazy and retrace your steps from before or you could continue on your hike. The orange trail is a long one, so choose accordingly.
Once back at your car, you may all let out a big, huge sigh. Whew! You made it!