Directions: Access this portion of the Fairfax Cross County Trail at the north end by parking in the cul de sac at the end of Squaw Valley Drive (see street map below) and follow the faint gravel path that extends downhill from the end of the cul de sac, passing between two houses, to join the Fairfax Cross County Trail; or at the southern end by parking in the cul de sac at the end of Horseback Trail (a street name) and following a paved path to an open field. Head left across the field to join the Fairfax Cross County Trail.
Trail map: The Fairfax Cross County Trail is marked in red in the trail map below. You can create some loops through the tamarack flood plain by following the black dotted informal path that hugs the banks of Difficult Run. You can cross over Difficult Run on a fallen tree trunk to access the route marked by blue dots, where you will be bush whacking along deer trails--the flood plain terrain is relatively easy to navigate. Green dots show route to connect with street access from Horseback Trail. At the bottom of the map, the Fairfax Cross County Trail joins the Washington & Old Dominion trail, heading west. This portion of the Fairfax Cross County Trail can be part of an 8.5-mile loop that includes the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and the Colvin Run Trail.