Fort Reno, DC

FORT RENO, DC
APRIL 10, 2004

Greg Weiler
Jean Newcomer

We visited Washington, DC over Easter weekend 2004 and used the Metro for everything we wanted to do. Therefore this account of our visit to Fort Reno is based on using the Metro.

The Metro goes everywhere and almost anything you want to do in DC, Arlington or Alexandria is accessible by this method. The stations are large, modern, well lit and manned by at least one person employed by the Metro. The fares are reasonable; for our one full day in the area we purchased a day pass for $6 that allowed unlimited travel over the entire Metro system.

Fort Reno (elev 429 ft) is accessible via the Tenleytown station on the Red Line. We exited East Side, Wisconsin Av. Exiting the West Side only means you have to cross Wisconsin Av. We walked north (toward the radio towers) on Wisconsin Av about 2 blocks to Brandywine St. We turned right (east) on Brandywine and walked one block to 40th St. At the 40th St intersection you can see the highpoint. We turned left (north) on 40th St and walked one block to Chesapeake St which borders Fort Reno Park on the south. We crossed the street, walked across the grass and up to the fence. The concrete cap over the reservoir is the highest point. There is a low stone monument just to the east in the lawn describing Fort Reno.

We followed the fence to the east and around to the north where we came to the access road to the reservoir complex. The road was gated with 2 security vehicles parked across the road beyond the gate and 2 security guards. We chatted with the guards and the one pointed to the south cap over the reservoir as the highest point and also indicated it was slightly higher than the caps to the north (the 39th & Fessenden area). He said that with heightened security he couldn?t lets us through the gate although there were people coming through the next day (Easter) and maybe we could get access. Our plans prevented us from coming back Sunday but at least we know the gate is open at times.

Postings on the Highpointers Forum have described the 39th & Fessenden approach. This approach is fine; all you have to do is drive around the Park and park on 40th or Chesapeake and walk across the lawn to the fence.

Another description of a visit to Fort Reno, including it?s history as a Civil War fort, is at americasroof.com/dc

Detailed maps of the areas around each Metro station are available at the Metro?s website, metroopensdoors.com.