Northwest Branch doesn’t get as much attention as its neighbor, Sligo Creek, but those who have ventured out know that it’s a hidden gem. Unlike Sligo Creek, Northwest Branch features natural surface trails that stretch from the beltway, past Colesville Rd at the trailhead at Burnt Mills then onwards to Wheaton Regional Park and all the way to the ICC in the north. Within a few minutes of leaving the trailheads, you’d be pressed to believe you’re only minutes from neighborhoods like North Four Corners and Springbrook.
The trailhead at Burnt Mills has parking available on both sides of 29. South of Colesville Rd, the original Northwest Branch Trail features fun rocky trails, views of the whitewater on the creek, and several popular bouldering spots. Don’t be surprised to see climbers carrying crash pads, families with young kids playing on sandy beach spots, and anglers trying their luck. While the old trail stays low along the creek, the newly built Copperhead trail stays mostly along the ridge and features flowy trails popular with mountain bikers and walkers alike. You’ll get a workout on these trails built by the Montgomery Parks trail crew in 2019, especially if you take a couple of optional chutes and loops that use all the elevation between the creek and ridge.
To the north of Colesville Road from the Burnt Mills trailhead, the Rachel Carson trail on the east side of the creek is a hiker-only trail with sections open to equestrians after you reach Springbrook. On the west side of the water (cross Northwest Branch on the sidewalk along 29 from the parking lot) the trail is open to all users and stretches up to Kemp Mill road where it connects to Wheaton Regional Park. This side of the trail is more open and varies from newly rebuilt singletrack on the hillside to gravel trails nearer the northern end. From Kemp Mill Road, a short connection on the sidewalk up to Randolph Road brings you to the last section of the trail. Also open to all users, this section features beautiful views through this wider part of the stream valley heading north under the ICC, along Bonifant Rd, to its northern terminus near the Trolley Museum along Alderton Rd.
With all of these trail options plus local connector trails from the neighborhoods that back onto Northwest Branch, there’s something for everyone from a family looking for a walk with young kids to dog walkers, climbers, anglers, and mountain bikers looking for a 20-mile ride out of their backdoor.
