Teenage girl walking alone trail early evening — safe?

[Anonymous]

DD wanted to go for a long walk/hike in a trail near our home in NW (it’s the section of Rock Creek Park near the horse center). It was around 6pm, but cloudy so getting dark probably in an hour, and the trail would be mostly empty because many would be at dinner.

I was very uncomfortable with letting her go alone that far into the woods; I grew up in the country and we never ventured into the woods alone, but we had poisonous snakes and wildcats to worry about, so maybe that was a factor.

However, I always don’t like people being alone in even near wilderness; getting hurt and help can be far though phones do help with that, as well as reduce the risk of getting lost. There is the risk of robbery or sexual assault, would be a crime of opportunity and very unlikely, but if it did happen I could never live with myself for allowing it.


Partly I think I’m skittish because this trail was near Chandra Levy, but was that a targeted assault, not like she alone came across a homeless man or drug addict living the in the woods right?

Someplace like Central Park with lots of pedestrians and lights and walkway would be fine, like lower RCP, but getting into a more trail setting I’m wary?

Am I too worried about bogeyman?

[Anonymous]

Chandra Levy

[Anonymous]

How old? Never mind, I wouldn’t be comfortable either, op. Not unless my teen was a black belt in BJJ or something.

[Anonymous]

I thought Chandra Levy was random.
Or did the Congressman get implicated after all?

Anyway, that's not what I would base my decision on, but I would probably also be wary and prefer a buddy system. Even on some nice weekend days there's often large stretches of that trail not seeing anyone. Maybe one of those loud whistle key chains?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t have let her either. FWIW, it’s not homeless people or drug addicts that I’m afraid of.

[Anonymous]

Do you not watch Dateline or Forensic Files or 20/20 or anything??? Hell no!

[Anonymous]

+1 on never since Chandra Levy. I like to walk there, but never alone. It only takes one time.

[Anonymous]

I also would not allow that. Walking around the neighborhood is better. My teens do that. I tell them to stay off the trails unless it is a time of day that they will be heavily travelled.

[Anonymous]

No never. Only time I’m alone on trails is with my big dog.

[Anonymous]

I say no. Wikipedia says Chandra Levy's case is technically unsolved. The drifter guy still seems to be the lead suspect. He was deported.

Young girls are too easy of a target.

[Anonymous]

Nope. I’d never walk alone on the trail there. I’d have to have a gun, and I don’t know how to fire one. So nope.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not, and I would not walk it alone myself even in daylight. I’ve been flashed on the Capital Crescent Trail (weekend daytime) and had Rock Creek encounters (Sat morning) that have given me an adrenaline burst. When I joined the MCRRC they really drilled that home.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2002/05/08/slain-md-joggers-family-and-friends-share-their-torment/08dc5a07-6fa6-4d99-92dc-b11367abb8f4/

No.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn’t have let her either. FWIW, it’s not homeless people or drug addicts that I’m afraid of.

Wait, what are you afraid of? Bears??

[Anonymous]

I wouldn’t do it myself, nor would I let my teenage daughter do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you not watch Dateline or Forensic Files or 20/20 or anything??? Hell no!

I watch Dateline and the murderer is almost always someone close to the victim. A husband or wife looking for a new younger spouse and a payout of life insurance. Then there’s the domestic violence and psycho ex’s. That said it’s not worth it for a kid to go out alone at dusk. Tell her she can go with another person, either you or her friend.