Jusserand Memorial Loop

Jean Jules Jusserand Memorial on Beach Drive

NPS Photo

“President Roosevelt gave me that unique proof of trust and friendship when he asked me to walk. What the President called a walk was a run: no stops, no breathing time, no slacking of speed, but a continuous race, careless of mud, thorns, and the rest.”--"What Me Befell" Jean Jules Jusserand

Jean Jules Jusserand was the French Ambassador to the United States from 1902 to 1925. He and President Theodore Roosevelt shared a love of the outdoors and they were frequent visitors to Rock Creek Park.

The Jean Jules Jusserand Memorial was dedicated in 1936 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This five mile hike will have you following in the footsteps of Ambassador Jusserand and President Roosevelt.
 

• Start at the large parking area at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Go to Picnic Area #24 where there is a bathroom. Take the trail at the rear of the picnic area down to the Valley Trail. Use caution, this trail is steep and could be slippery!
• At the junction with the Valley Trail, turn left and follow this narrow, foot-only trail.
• Stay on the Valley Trail and follow it past iconic Boulder Bridge and up and over Pulpit Rock.
• Take the Roosevelt Spur to the intersection of Beach Drive NW and Blagden Avenue North West. Carefully cross Beach Drive and continue to the right towards Broad Branch and turn left into the Picnic Grove #2 North Parking Area.
• Take the paved multi-use trail towards Peirce Mill, stay on the paved portion of trail as it passes along the creek behind the mill and under the Tilden Street Bridge.  
• The paved path passes Picnic Grove #1 and then crosses a foot bridge. Three hundred feet down the trail you will see an informational panel for the memorial, which sits on a slight rise across Beach Drive from the trail.

To return to your vehicle, return the way you came via the multi-use trail, Theodore Roosevelt Spur and the Valley Trail.

If Beach Drive is closed to vehicular traffic, you might choose to return to your vehicle this way. Access the Valley Trail near Rapids Bridge.

Please use caution when crossing roads or walking in roads with shared vehicular and recreational traffic. Stay on the shoulder when possible. Allow others to pass.

Details

Activity

Hiking

The grade between Picnic Grove #24 and the Valley Trail can be quite steep. The Valley Trail is a foot-only path that is very narrow and rugged. Terrain and elevation changes are significant along this trail, especially as the trail climbs up and over pulpit rock. The route will require hikers to use caution as the cross road ways that will have vehicular traffic.

Pets Allowed

Yes

Pets are allowed on trails within Rock Creek Park but must adhere to the B.A.R.K. Ranger Principles. Dogs must always be on a leash within the park. Waste must be carried out and disposed of in trash receptacles.

For more information on B.A.R.K. Ranger visit the Pets section of the National Park Service website.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Jean Jules Jusserand Memorial

The Jusserand Memorial sits on a slight rise to the north of Beach Drive as it approaches the intersection of Tilden St/Park Rd NW. Beach Drive is a busy street and the memorial sits in a curve. It is not recommended that visitors visit the memorial itself. It is instead suggested they view the memorial from the informational panel along the paved multi-use trail across from it.

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Sparse vegetation in the winter will allow for expanded views of the creek while walking along the Valley Trail and up and over Pulpit Rock. Winter precipitation might make trails hazardous and rocks slippery. Please use caution in such conditions.

Spring will bring new growth and the potential for wild flowers along the trail. 

Summer vegetation will obstruct views of the creek while on the Valley Trail but will create a lush landscape for visitors to traverse, just as Jusserand and Roosevelt may have done over one hundred years ago.

Autumn will bring cooler temperatures and a riot of autumn colors to the trail. Fallen leaves may obstruct the path at times or make the trail difficult to traverse due to slick leaves.

Time of Day

Day

Rock Creek Park is only open from Sunrise to Sunset. This trail is only recommended during daylight hours as it is challenging and has significant changes in terrain.

Accessibility Information

The Valley Trail is a foot-only trail that parallels the creek and Beach Drive. It is very narrow and rugged, sometimes dropping to less than two feet in width. It is often crossed by tree roots and rocky boulders. This trail is not accessible and is considered challenging. The ascent up and over Pulpit Rock and the descent down the Theodore Roosevelt Spur is also narrow--sometimes dropping to less than one foot wide.  

For a roughly five-mile accessible option use Beach Drive. Beach Drive is closed in sections on Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays. Park at Picnic Grove #6 and use the multi-use trail to access the closed section of Beach Drive near the US Park Police sub-station. Follow Beach Drive for 1.5 miles to the intersection of Broad Branch Road. Cross Broad Branch Road and go through the Picnic Grove #2 North Parking Area to access the multi-use paved trail. Take it towards Peirce Mill and follow the paved path to the informational way-side.