Can anyone help me find directions from the Southern trail-head to the New Carrollton Metro station without biking on the highways?

It is fairly disappointing to have such spotty construction of the biking trail covering the WB&A rail spur. For those of you that don't know, the bike trail actually has a northern end at the intersection of Odenton Road and Piney Orchard Pkwy. There is a gazebo constructed there so you can't miss it. The trail continues a few miles to the south through Piney Orchard (one of those recent ill-planned communities) and continues past Patuxent Rd and onto a nicely rennovated road past some private residences (Bragers Rd) but once you get to the BG&E power line easement the trail ends. There is a sign there that it will be finished at some point in the future. The northern end of the WB&A trail has several tunnels and bridges along this route and for the most part is not heavily traveled and is for the most part shady. The inclines are easy for the experienced riders. If you follow with a GPS (as I do) there is a gravelly southern extension that heads south about 100 yards to Meyers station road. "In the old days" you would have been able to go further south past the gravel pit and brick yard and cross the bridge across the patuxent.

The sad part about all of this is that MD now has stimulus money, but as far as I have been able to find out, are not planning on completing the trail with the southern end. The issue at hand is building a bike trail through the Meyers property near the Patuxent river and a bridge that crosses the river. Back in the 1950s era there was a series of private roads and a toll bridge constructed that allowed people from the Patuxent and Woodwardville areas to get down to Bowie and the race trace without having to travel down Route 3 to the east. The bridge doesn't exist anymore and would have to be constructed to standards for the bike trail, but come on, DNR, how hard can this be?

This trail is nicely paved and scenic. Started at Race Track Road, mile marker 6 and went to 2.5 and back. Only noticed one port a potty at the beginning, though. Nicely shaded areas as well as full sun in others. Walkers, watch out for bikers with no bell when passing, and keep to the right as much as possible.

"Main trail great but short at only 5.6 miles. Couldn't find the new extension as described unless it was the muddy, puddle filled, soft gravel trail. Better traversed by 4 wheel ATV. Did find a paved extension of 0.25 mile to the Pax River. "

"North from WB&A Trail mile 5.8, 250 yards east of the Race Track Road WB&A parking lot, a new 1.75 rails-to-trails hiking-biking trail now constructed entirely on state and county lands (as of 2002) that follow the old Bowie Race Track rail spur. Short side trails at any point to the east lead to the Patuxent River. Short side trails after a mile to the west lead to ponds and nature trails behind Bowie State University.

After 1.75 miles on the main rail-trail trail users cross under the Amtrak line for an additional two miles round trip in the Fran Uhler Natural Area or 0.75 mile to parking on Lemons Bridge Road. There are lots of wetlands, beavers and birds. "