We decided to try the Lees Woods Trail because of the historical significance – the trail would take us by Colonial and Civil War points of interest. The trail head is located near Freestone Point Beach, which we decided to save for last. We started up the trail, which quickly led us past an amphitheater.
This first part of the trail comprised one of the several short but steep inclines along the almost 2 mile long hike, as we made our way to the bluffs overlooking the Potomac River. Atop this hill, there are the remains of a Confederate gun battery which successfully held off the Union ships during the Civil War.
Next the trail took us past the ruins of Light Horse Harry Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee. One of the things I love about living on the East Coast is all of the American history that just seems to be lying around in the woods waiting to be discovered over and over again. It is amazing to me that the chimney, the foundation of the house and outlying buildings and even the well are still around.
The best part of this hike was the crunch of leaves underfoot. The trail was blanketed by fallen leaves that we swished our way through, making a tremendous amount of noise. There is something about kicking up leaves that reminds me of being young, raking up the leaves in to a big pile to jump in to. Whenever I hear this sound, I am instantly taken back to those fall days.
Noisily, we made our way along the trail, up to the site of the original Lee plantation. Although there is very little of the house left (only a foundation wall is barely visible across a small ravine), it is still interesting to stand in the same spot as these people did so long ago. Interestingly, one of Lee’s neighbors, only 14 miles north, would often stop by for dinner and lodging on his way to Williamsburg – one Mr. George Washington.
The trail also took us past the small, private cemetery where the Lees are buried. Their headstones have either been lost to time or moved, four people remain buried here including…. It seems like such a beautiful and peaceful spot to be your final resting place, except for all those hikers who come through each year…
As we wound our way along the rest of the path, we couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly nature takes back the land. Both a road from the 1950s and a railroad from the early 1900s ran through what is now Leesylvania State Park and other than the land that was flattened to make way for each, you’d never be able to tell either had existed. Trees have grown back along with flowers and bushes. If no one touched this land, how long would it take before all traces of humans had disappeared? Probably not as long as you’d think.
The trail soon led us back to where we started and for a short, easy hike it was fun because of the beautiful weather and the history along the way.
Before leaving the park; however, we walked over to Freestone Point Beach to check out the fishing peer. The views along the river were wonderful and about a quarter of the way on the pier, we officially crossed the state line from Virginia into Maryland!
Here's another picture I took along the way...
Us - some where along the trial.
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