Paint Branch Trail Biking

The Paint Branch Trail is a paved path that extends from the Capital Beltway down to College Park, where the University of Maryland is located. We started on the north end near some tennis courts. The plan was to go explore the campus. We set out early, hoping the coffee/pastry shops around the school would be open.

Start of the trail

Paint Branch is one of the streams that feeds into the Anacostia River which runs into the Potomac River in Washington, D. C. The trail was mostly beside the river, though occasionally we crossed over it.

Bridge over untroubled waters

A view of Paint Branch

The path winds its way down through some neighborhoods and passes by a golf course. The trail is well defended from any stray golf balls that may threaten bikers, joggers, and strollers.

Shelter from golf balls and sunshine!

Our first sign of the college was a parking lot for the Xfinity Center. That's the arena where the men's and women's basketball teams play. The center also hosts other events and concerts.

What's that in the distance?

Even zoomed, it still looks far away

Further down the trail we discovered the academic part of the University. The computer science building is impressive.

CS HQ at UMD

The trail occasionally passes under roads.

The bridge was on us!

Near the campus is a hidden mural called the Paint Branch Bridge Mural.

Mural

More of the mural

End of the mural

The bridge also crosses over the Paint Branch. While I was admiring the mural, my kids were throwing stones into the water.

Paint Branch

We used our Google Map skills to find a coffee shop that was open and sold treats along with drinks. Vigilante Coffee Company is on the other side of Paint Branch from the campus, right under an apartment building that must be used by students. The shop was serving food but only as take out. They wouldn't let us inside! We had to go to their website on our phone to order some cookies.

The source of snacks

We had a fun ride back to the car. Somehow the way back is always faster than the way there.