OSS Spy Hike Prince William Forest Park (Rating: B)

About this event

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.

DESCRIPTION: Explore a little-known part of the park and tour a cabin camp built in the 1930s, which is normally closed to public access. Join park rangers at Cabin Camp 2 at Prince William Forest Park to learn more about the period of the park’s history in the 1940s when the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) trained spies in the park. Before he was famous for creating James Bond, Ian Fleming was an officer in the Royal Navy's Intelligence Dept., and an instructor at the OSS (precursor to the CIA) Training School at Prince William Forest Park. We'll hike from Turkey Run to Cabin Camp 2, where they trained in combat, sabotage & guerrilla warfare. I'll briefly share some history, and we'll get to tour the buildings on our snack break. There will be park rangers there for questions.

HIKE : 8.5 miles with elevation gain of 800 ft. Trails are dirt with rocks and roots. Multiple rolling hills but no steep climbs. Pace will be 2.5-3mph while moving.

MEET : Note that we are meeting at the Turkey Run Ridge Environmental Education Center, NOT the Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center. There are restrooms at the start at Turkey Run.

DOGS : No dogs please.

FEE : The park entrance fee is $20/vehicle, but is included in the America the Beautiful annual pass. https://store.usgs.gov/pass/index.html

From Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)