WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to the maps provided at the National Arboretum, the hill that the azaleas are on is called Mount Hamilton. The National Park Service says Mount Hamilton has an elevation of 240 feet above sea level. There is some debate about that as mountainzone.com says the elevation is 236 feet while trails.com says 243 feet.. Regardless, the hike up the top covers about 130 vertical feet and can be handled by even a 4 year old with sufficient encouragement.
[flickr : Photos tagged with mounthamilton/slideshow]
Regardless of how high Mount Hamilton is the hill provides one of the better, though lesser known views of the National Mall as shown above. I would like to see it improved though. Topping some trees in the foreground and pruning a few branches would go a long way to make the Capitol dome and Washington Monument more visible. Currently, most of the buildings are visible, though not necessarily at the same time. I do like the way some branches frame the Capitol too, so that ought to be retained. I’m not sure if that’s something the Arboretum would be up for though.
The cluster of buildings seen in the distance is the aptly named Skyline Towers of Bailey’s Crossroads which has a Falls Church, Va. mailing address.
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