Rating
of hikes based on elevation and terrain. Easy: less than 1,000 ft elevation
gain. Intermediate: less than 2,000 ft elevation gain. Strenuous:
2,000+ ft elevation gain. Rating may vary with weather and terrain. For advice,
consult the leader at the phone number provided.
Where park fee is indicated, holders of National Park passes are not charged,
but must have passes available. Others pay $5.00 park entrance fee December
through February, and $8.00 March through November, in addition to bus fare.
Senior, and annual passholders may have up to three guests. This rule often
allows the bus to enter the park free, unless too few passholders are on the
bus. Frequent hikers are strongly urged to obtain a National Park Pass:
Shenandoah National Park: $30 yearly; Interagency Pass to all National Parks
and Forests: $80 yearly. Senior pass: Aged 62 and above, $10 for life. You
may purchase a pass when our bus enters the park.
Note: Easy Option denotes hikes that
have optional hikes less than 7 miles and 500 feet elevation gain. Fares are
$20 (members), $25 (non-members). When
we use car-pools, the club charges a $5.00 administrative fee and car-pool
passengers pay drivers $10.00 to defray expenses.
December 18. The Roller Coaster - Devil's Racecourse, Berryville, VA.
This section of the Appalachian Trail is called "The Roller Coaster"
for obvious reasons: it is forever going up and down -- and it's fun. Moderate
hikers approach Snickers Gap from the north, long hikers from the south. Moderate
hikers start their day on a wild section of the "Roller Coaster"
known as the Devil's Racecourse, using an access road off VA 601 that goes
to a transmission tower on the WV-VA border. They then take an unmarked trail
to a series of lookouts at a rock climbing area known alternatively as Crescent
Rocks and Raven Rocks. There they hike north on the AT through the Racecourse
over rough terrain and then double-back south, passing Crescent Rocks, and
continue on the AT to Snickers Gap. Long hikers use an access trail off VA
649, hike east to Fishers Loop Trail and take a left on the loop to the south
end of the "Roller Coaster," ascending seven humps (mountains) and
proceed north on the AT to Snickers Gap. Est. miles: 7 (intermediate) and
11.5 (very strenuous). PATC Maps 7 and 8. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: David and
Carol Saah (703) 596-2358. (VA)
December 25. Northwest Branch, Montgomery Co, MD. (Carpool hike). Hike
starts at 10:30 am. Meet at Brookside Garden Visitor Center. Directions
to park: click
here. Moderate hikers take a stroll through Brookside Gardens and
the Nature Center and then follow the Oxbow and Equestrian Loop trails to
the Kemp Mill Road crossing. On the other side of the road they turn right
on the Northwest Branch Trail, which follows the stream south (downstream)
to Burnt Mill Dam (Colesville Road). Crossing Northwest Branch to the opposite
bank, hikers follow the stream north on the Rachel Carson Greenway to the
Kemp Mill Road crossing. They then follow the paths through Brookside Gardens
to the Visitor Center. Long hikers will explore 3 miles of hiking paths through
the woods of Wheaton Regional Park before following the moderate route starting
at the Nature Center. MNCPP Northwest Rachel Carson Greenway Map. Est. miles:
8 (intermediate) and 11 (intermediate). Hike fee: $5. Leaders: Josh Silverman
(703) 591-2822 and Bill Peters (301) 741-7916.
January 1 Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC (carpool - Metro hike) [11
am start]. We will start the New Year by meeting outside the Cleveland
Park Metro; the hike will end with a walk through the National Zoo. Afterwards
there will be optional New Year's socializing at a pub on Connecticut Ave
near the Zoo entrance. We will start our hike by walking 2 blocks north past
Rodman Street and then turning right onto Melvin Hazen Trail into Rock Creek
Park. Hikers then trek north on Valley Trail overlooking Rock Creek's east
bank and return south via the Western Ridge Trail along the creek's west bank.
Moderate hikers cross Rock Creek to head south at Milkhouse Ford (shortly
after Military Rd), and long hikers cross the creek to go south at Boundary
Bridge on the Maryland-DC border. Est. miles: 12 (intermediate) and 8 (intermediate)
with shorter options. PATC Map N. Fee: $5. Leaders: Bill Peters (301) 741-7916
and Tom Jones (301) 294-1356. Easy Option
January 8 Gunpowder Falls State Park, MD. Gunpowder Creek is a fast
moving stream with trout, deer, muskrat, beaver, and otter. Hikers often see
blue herons, other colorful birds, and frequent beaver chews. Hemlock, mountain
laurel, and unique rock formations accent both sides of the river. We will
start and end at the Gunpowder parking lot on Big Falls Road. Moderate hikers
head upstream (north side of river) on the Gunpowder North Trail, crossing
to the south side at Masemore Road, and returning to the bus via Gunpowder
South and Panther Branch Trails. Long hikers continue upstream on the Gunpowder
North Trail and cross the third bridge to the south side, continuing upstream
on the Gunpowder South Trail to the Highland Trail. Hikers then make a loop
back to the Gunpowder South trail on the Highland Trail, turn downstream on
the Gunpowder South Trail and rejoin the moderate route at Masemore Road.
Multiple variations are possible. Est. miles: 13.3 (strenuous), 9.8 (intermediate),
and 6.5 (easy). Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Elisa Braver (202) 248-2171 and Chris
Bublitz (301) 588-4153. (MD) Easy Option
January 15 South Mountain Appalachian Trail, MD. This hike passes several
sites of Civil War skirmishes that led up to the Antietam Battle. The hike
traverses Lamb's Knoll, Maryland's second highest Mountain. Moderate hikers
start at the visitors' center at Gathland State Park and hike north on the
Appalachian Trail to Turners Gap (Rte. 40). Long hikers start at Weverton
Cliffs, follow the AT north past Gathland to Turners Gap (Rte. 40). Est. miles:
14 (intermediate), 10 (intermediate), and 6 (easy). PATC Map 5-6. Fare: $20/25.
Leaders: Leslie Taylor (301) 980-6525 and Michael Roehm (301) 223-7385. (MD)
Easy Option
January 22 Torrey Brown Trail (NCR Trail), MD. This hiker-biker trail
along the old North Central Railroad was established in 1984. Last January
we hiked from the Pennsylvania border to York, PA along this trail. It made
a great snow hike! This year we will go from Cockeysville, MD, to New Freedom,
PA (the ultimate destination for hundreds of escaping slaves using the Underground
Railroad). Long hikers start their hike northwards at Monkton while moderate
hikers start at White Hall Road. Est. miles: 13 (intermediate) and 10 (intermediate)
with opportunities to hike more or less. Map: MD DNR's Torrey C Brown Trail
Guide, Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Pat Fairfax (703) 328-1501 and Bruce Milhans
(240) 997-6957. (MD) Easy Option
January 29 Three Top Mountain, Massanutten Mtn, VA. This hike traverses
the east side of north Massanutten, along the Three Top Mountain ridge, with
scenic views of the Shenandoah North Fork. Starting at Powells Fort Camp,
moderate hikers take the Massanutten Trail south to the Tuscarora Trail on
Three Top Mountain and follow it to the Bear Wallow Spur and Mudhole Gap Trails
to Bear Wallow Parking. Long hikers start at Rte. 758 and ascend to Woodstock
Tower (fabulous views). They then hike north on the Massanutten Trail to the
Tuscarora Trail and follow the moderate route. Est. miles: 11.4 (strenuous)
and 8.1 (intermediate). PATC Map G. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Josh Silverman
(703) 591-2822 and Laura Heaton (571) 212-2592. (VA)
February 5 Hannah Run, Central SNP, VA. This hike will start and end
at the Nethers Parking Lot. Moderate hikers follow Nicholson Hollow west into
the Park and turn right (north) on Hot-Short Mountain Trail and left onto
Hazel Mountain Trail. They complete the loop by taking successive lefts onto
the Catlett Mountain, Hannah Run, and Nicholson Hollow Trails to Nethers.
Long hikers follow the moderate loop, but stay on the Hazel Mountain Trail
past Catlett Mountain Trail, taking the Hazel River, White Rocks, Hazel Mountain,
and Catlett Spur Trails before rejoining the moderate loop at Hannah Run.
Est. miles: 12-13 (strenuous) and 8-9 (intermediate). PATC Map 10. Fare: $20/25.
Leaders: Jim and Lorie Fitzsimmons (703) 465-9022. (VA) Easy Option
February 12 Raven Rock Appalachian Trail, MD. Whereas the January 15
hike traverses the south end of South Mountain, this hike goes along the mountain's
north end in Maryland. Rockier than its southern cousin, this hike features
several impressive outcrops with scenic views, including Raven Rock and High
Rock, and ends at Penmar Park on the Pennsylvania-Maryland border. Moderate
hikers start going north on the AT at Wolfsville Road. Long hikers start their
AT hike at Black Rock Road. Est. miles: 14.5 (strenuous) and 9.5 (intermediate).
PATC Map 5-6. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Michael Ollinger (301) 933-2196 and Anna
Oldak (301) 528-2399. (MD) Easy Option
February 19 Dickey Ridge, Northern SNP, VA. Both long and moderate
hikes enter Shenandoah Park from outside the Park. Although they start at
different locations, the hikes converge near the south end of the Dickey Ridge.
Both hikes exit the park by way of the Appalachian Trail to Chester Gap. Moderate
hikers start at the Front Royal 4-H Center, follow Rtes. 604 and 600, and
ascend Hickerson Hollow Trail into the Park. At Lands Run Gap hikers turn
left onto the Dickey Ridge Trail, and after one mile turn left on the AT,
following this route to Chester Gap. Long hikers start at the north SNP entrance,
hike the Dickey Ridge Trail south for its entire 10.3 mile distance and exit
the Park via AT. Est. miles: 13.5 (strenuous) and 8.0 (moderate). PATC Map
9. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Annetta dePompa (410) 535-5171 and Antonia Curiel
(301) 656-9169 (VA)
February 26 Cat Knob, Cunningham Falls State Park, MD. This clockwise
circuit on Catoctin Mountain includes a marvelous view from Cat Knob. Many
consider winter to be the best time to do this hike because of the unobstructed
ridge views. Moderate hikers follow Hunting Creek downstream for one mile,
turn right on Cat Knob Trail, and steeply ascend the rocky trail to Cat Knob.
A short spur leads to a moderate scramble up Cat Knob with commanding southward
views. The next two miles is a ridge walk with northward views of Chimney
and Wolf Rocks. Hikers turn left onto the Catoctin Trail, which leads to the
Visitor Center. Long hikers follow the moderate route adding an out-and-back
hike to Bob's Hill (with another rock scramble). Est. miles: 11 (strenuous),
7.2 and 8.4 (moderate). PATC Map 5-6. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Susana Mendez
(607) 279-4363 and Kiko Alvarez (607) 279-3455. (MD) Easy Option
March 3 (Saturday) Annual Meeting (members only), 1 pm, PATC Headquarters,
118 Park St., SE, Vienna, VA 22180. Snacks and drinks available.
March 4 Gifford Pinchot State Park, York County, PA. This is a relatively
flat, mostly wooded, hike around a large lake in Gifford Pinchot State Park.
Starting at the Quaker Race Parking Area, moderate hikers do a counterclockwise
hike around the lake using the Lakeside Trail. Hikers can add 1-3 miles by
adding on the Quaker Race or Pinchot Loops through remote, hillier sections
of the park. Long hikers start at the Squire Gratz Road entrance to the Park
and take the Mason Dixon Trail clockwise around the lake, joining the Lakeside
Trail for the last three miles. Maps: Mason-Dixon Map 5 and Pinchot State
Park Map. Est. miles: 12 (moderate), 8-11 (moderate), and 4-6 (easy). Fare:
$20/25. Leaders: Bill Peters (301) 741-7916 and Anne Ralls (443) 624-2532.
(MD) Easy Option
March 11 Move clocks forward one hour! C & O Canal, Paw Paw
Tunnel, Paw Paw, WV. This hike includes a visit to the Old Town Aqueduct,
a fascinating walk through the 3100 foot historic Paw Paw Tunnel, and a jaunt
up the Tunnel Hill Trail overlooking the Canal and the town of Paw Paw, WV.
All hikers start near the Old Town Aqueduct (Rte. 51) and hike east on the
towpath towards Paw Paw. Just past Paw Paw hikers make a strange loop, first
hiking up the Tunnel Hill Trail (over the tunnel) for a magnificent look at
the town and the bends of the Potomac and then returning through the tunnel
(bring a flashlight). This much of the hike is 8 miles; more distance can
be added by hiking out-and-back westward on the canal towpath. PATC Map L.
Est. miles: 8-16 (intermediate). PATC Map L. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Emil Friberg
(202) 812-8990 and Marsha Johnston (619) 855-0669. (MD) Easy Option
March 18 Brown's Hollow, Massanutten Mountain, VA. This hike on south
Massanutten is a great late-winter hike with continuous views. Moderate hikers
do a "lariat" hike: starting at the Massanutten Visitor Center,
they hike south on the Massanutten Trail (with ridgeline views) for 2 miles.
They then hike the Bird Knob Loop by taking a right fork onto the white-blazed
Bird Knob trail, which loops back to the Massanutten Trail. Hikers then hike
north on the Massanutten Trail, completing the 4-mile loop and following the
scenic ridge back to the Visitor Center. Long hikers do a clockwise loop:
starting at Rte. 211, they do a demanding climb up Brown's Hollow. Near Bird
Knob, hikers take the Massanutten Trail north and join the last half of the
moderate loop. PATC Map H. Est. miles: 11 (strenuous) and 8 (moderate). Fare:
$20/25. Leaders: Annetta dePompa (410) 535-5171 and Robert Holley (703) 239-0131.
(VA) Easy Option
March 25 Sams Ridge, Central SNP, VA. This hike starts on Rte. 681
and ends at the Nethers Parking Lot. Moderate hikers walk along Rtes. 681
and 600 and take a left into the Park on Sams Ridge Trail. After this ascent,
they take a left onto Hazel Mountain Trail, right onto Hot-Short Mountain
Trail, and left onto Nicholson Hollow Trail to Nethers. Long hikers follow
the moderate route, but turn right at the Hazel Mountain Trail, turning left
on Catlett Spur Trail, left on Hannah Run Trail, and left on Nicholson Hollow
Trail. Est. miles: 11-13 (strenuous) and 8-10 (intermediate). PATC Map 10.
Fare $20/25. Leaders: Jack and Wendy Dawson (703) 575-7684. (VA)
March 31 (Saturday) Annual Dinner (members only), 5:30 pm, Alfio's,
4515 Willard Ave., Chevy Chase, MD. 20815. The Wanderbirds annual dinner will
be at Alfio's Italian restaurant near the Friendship Heights Metro station,
which also offers free valet parking. Cost: $15 (club is partially subsidizing
the dinner) with choice of entrees; cash bar. If you're coming, email Elisa
Braver at elisa.braver@wanderbirds.org or call her at (202) 248-2171.
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