July 31, 2010 (Updated May 16, 2023)

Matt’s Birthday: Billy Goat Trail, Great Falls, MD!

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

20 comments

What a fun night last night!

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For Matt’s birthday, I surprised him with an early evening hike at one of my favorite spots in the DC area — the Billy Goat Trail in Great Falls, MD!

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I hiked this trail a few years ago with my dad, and Matt’s always talked about how he wanted to try it. Last night was the perfect time. 🙂

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We had absolutely gorgeous weather for it!

First things first — I packed us some provisions! Homemade 5-Minute No Bake PB Granola Bars:

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And oranges — pre-peeled so no sticky hand issues while hiking! 🙂

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And then we were off!

To get to the Billy Goat Trail, you actually start out on the C&O Canal — yes, the same one that’s my favorite running trail! Just way farther north 🙂

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The best thing about this trail is that a lot of it involves rock scrambling! I knew Matt would love this since he’s part mountain goat/Tigger 😉

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Can you believe this is a mere 20 minutes away from the city?!

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We hiked most of “Part A” of the Billy Goat Trail, which is the most strenuous and takes you scrambling along rocks above the beautiful Potomac River.

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We had a blast — we want to come back another day when we have more daylight left and hike the whole thing 🙂

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(Say hello to Virginia on the other side of the water!)

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“Wait, how did you get over there?!”

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Success!

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The view was worth it 🙂

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 We scrambled our way back just as the sun was starting to set. Beautiful 🙂043

After our hike, we enjoyed a late dinner — involving steak, of course, for the birthday boy!

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To cook the steak, Matt seared it in the pan (it was rubbed with a little olive oil and salt and pepper) for a minute or two on each side, then popped it, pan and all, in the oven (at 350) to cook for about 5 to 7 minutes.

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This method makes steak super juicy! Yum 🙂

My contribution to the meal was a Greek Quinoa Salad — recipe courtesy of Kath’s blog! I made it a few years ago and loved it so I decided it was time to bring it back 🙂

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I followed the recipe but left out the shrimp (since we were topping it with steak) and capers (not a fan). Delish!

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We also enjoyed some wine 🙂

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LOVED this kind!

And dessert? Super Charge Me! Cookies, of course! Matt really liked them 🙂

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And now — I’ve got another really fun day lined up — a Virginia wine tasting tour for my college friend Sarah’s bachelorette! Woohoo! I’ll be back tomorrow with a recap 😉

Have a lovely Saturday!

Snacks Bake
- anne

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20 comments
  • Katie @ Healthy Heddleston
    I love Great Falls!! I have been there when visiting my sister in the Germantown area. Looks like a great time! Happy birthday to Matt!
    Reply
  • Kendel @ Eating Abroad
    Beautiful photos... have you thought about blowing any of them up poster-sized to decorate your house? They look like photos which you'd pay a fortune for in an art shop. You planned and executed a wonderful birthday by the looks of it!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      That's a really good idea... I was thinking about that actually, especially once we get settled in NC! :)
      Reply
  • Sarah
    Great Falls is gorgeous :) I've been kayaking in that area which another fantastic way to enjoy the view. Have fun at your bachelorette wine tasting!!
    Reply
  • Lee
    This is going to make me sound bad, but when I was in high school, we used to skip school and go to the MD side of Great Falls.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      Haha we saw a few high schoolers there looking shady... ;)
      Reply
  • DHP
    What an awesome day! Great trail, great evening, great chow!
    Reply
  • Raya @ Raya Runs
    AHH!! I just did a wine tour in upstate NY (Seneca lake trail) for my bff's bachelorette party a week or so ago, it was a blast!!! I know you will have tons of fun. There may or may not have been a chinese fire drill around the limo on the way back...
    Reply
  • Kath
    I forgot about that salad!! And I LOVE St. Francis Chard!!
    Reply
  • Allie
    great pictures!! i've been on the VA side of great falls and always wondered about the other side.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      I'm partial to VA in terms of everything else, but in terms of Great Falls - the MD side wins out! It's WAY more awesome :)
      Reply
  • Jackie (Peaces of Earth)
    Wow, SO beautiful!! That's so awesome that it's only 20 minutes away from the city. Nothing like an "escape" close by. Happy Birthday to Matt!!
    Reply
  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    that is a gorgeous hike! what a sweet birthday present for the birthday boy :) happy birthday matt!
    Reply
  • Adventurer
    You are a fun girl!
    Reply
  • Olivia @ Blissful Runner
    Awesome! Ever since hiking Camel Back Mountain in AZ I've been on the lookout for some good rock scrambling locations. My husband and I will have to go take a look!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      If you like rock scrambling, hike Old Rag in the Shenandoahs too! It's AWESOME.
      Reply
  • Lisa (bakebikeblog)
    ooooh that hike looks like the perfect way to spend the day! I cant believe how close to the city it is. It looks like hundreds of miles away!!!
    Reply
  • angie
    the views on the hike are awesome!
    Reply
  • Heather C
    Despite how many times I've run/walked that trail, it never ceases to amaze me. :) These pics are gorgy, miss you DC (and Anne P)!
    Reply