All outings depart 17th & K Streets at 8:00 am sharp unless otherwise noted. VA=suburban pickup in Virginia; MD=suburban pickup in Maryland (see maps of pickup points). Hikes marked MD & VA will pick up at both suburban locations. Hikers should be at suburban pickup points by 8:20 am.
To join us on a hike, make a reservation with the leader at the telephone number listed at the end of the hike description. Membership is not required unless specified. It is club policy that hikers new to the club will take the moderate hike. If you sign up for a hike, don't be a no-show! (click here for no-show policy)
Please
try to sign up before 4:00 pm Friday afternoon before the hike!
Otherwise the hike may be cancelled due to low number of sign-ups.
And PLEASE don't call leaders after 9:00 PM!
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.
March 17. Roller Coaster-AT, Frogtown to Ashby Gap VA. This fabulously wild hike gets its name from its almost continuous ups and downs. Moderate hikers start at the intersection of VA Rte. 604 and 605 (Frogtown), walk up Rte. 605, and turn south onto the A-T. The hike will end at the trail's junction with Route 50 (Ashby Gap). Long hikers begin at a little-used connecting trail to the A-T behind the Ebenezer Church on Rte. 604 to a point about two miles north of Snickers Gap. From this point, long hikers proceed south on the A-T to Ashby Gap. Est. miles: 12.2 (strenuous) and 8.5 (strenuous). PATC Map 8. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Mike Ollinger (301) 933-2196 and Anna Oldak (301) 528-2399. (VA)
March 24. Substitute hike, due to poor conditions on originally scheduled hike. AT around Manassas Gap, High Knob, Bear Hollow and Thompson Wildlife Management Area, VA. Long hike (estimate 11.5 miles and about 2000 feet, intermediate-strenuous) Starts on the Ridge on 688. Passes Manassas Shelter and descend to Manassas Gap (725) Parking area Cross Route 55 and ascend to High knob, before descending past Zoo area and ending on Route 522. Moderate hike (estimate 8 miles and about 1800 feet, intermediate) Starts at Route 55 and ascends to High knob, before descending past Zoo area and ending on Route 522. PATC Map 9. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Annetta DePompa (410) 535-5171 and Antonia Curiel (301) 656-9169. (VA)
March 31. Little Devils Stairs, SNP, VA. Long hikers start at Little Hogback Overlook and proceed along the AT, the Piney Ridge, Fork Mountain, and Hull School Trails to the Keyser Run Fire Road and the bottom of the Stairs, crossing Piney River along the way. After climbing the Stairs, they return to the bus at Little Hogback Overlook (total climb about 2000 ft). Moderate hikers also begin at Little Hogback Overlook and take the AT, Keyser Run Fire Road, and Pole Bridge Link Trail to the Piney Branch Trail, which is followed down to the Hull School Trail. They then take the Hull School Trail and Keyser Run Fire Road to the beginning of the Little Devils Stairs Trail, where they start the long, hard climb up the Stairs to the Keyser Run Fire Road, on which the climb is continued to the AT. The AT is then taken to the bus and cool drinks at Little Hogback Overlook. Est. miles: 11.4 (strenuous) and 9 (strenuous). PATC Map 9. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Jim and Lorie Fitzsimmons (703) 465-9022. (VA)
April 6 (new date). (Saturday) Annual Dinner (members only), 5:30 -8:30 pm, Hamburger Hamlet, 1750 Crystal Square Arcade, Arlington, VA 22202. Dinner served at 6 pm. Location is near the Crystal City Metro station. There is abundant parking. Cost: $15 + cash bar. The club is partially subsidizing the dinner, which has choices of entrees, including vegetarian options. Only 60 spots available; reserve and pay by March 23 (email Elisa Braver at elisa.braver@wanderbirds.org or call her at (202) 248-2171. Map link: http://goo.gl/maps/DPyR2
April 7. Bull Run - Occoquan (Bluebell), Fairfax Co, VA. This hike follows the eastern bank of Bull Run upstream past a hemlock gorge and several vast tracts shaped by beaver activity. We have timed the hike for peak blooming of Virginia bluebells and trout lily and many other wild flowers that are profuse on the moist river banks. Both hikes end at Bull Run Regional Park. Long hikers take a 12-mile hike starting at Bull Run Marina on Old Yates Ford Road. Moderate hikers take an 8-mile hike starting at Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. Est. miles: 12 (intermediate) and 8 (easy). Extra-long option available with leaders' permission, to start at Fountainhead Regional Park. Map: Trail map published by Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Vera Holovchenko (214) 289-9993 and Tatiana Metody (202) 488-4846. (VA)
April 14. Old Rag Mountain, SNP, VA. Today hikers scramble over giant boulders and crawl through narrow tunnels, before reaching the ragged mountaintop. All hikers start at Nethers. Long hikers follow the Ridge Trail to the top of the mountain and return to Nethers on the Saddle Trail and the Weakley Hollow Fire Rd. Moderate hikers do an up-and-back to the summit, on the Saddle Trail. (The long hike is shorter than the moderate hike.) Est. miles: 9.2 (strenuous) and 10.8 (strenuous). PATC Map 10. Fare $20/25 plus park fee. Leaders: Kathleen Martin (202) 547-0302 and JB Bourne (240) 432-8840. (VA)
April 21. Tuckahoe State Park, Eastern Shore, MD. This hike starts and ends near Adkins Arboretum, which is dedicated to preserving plants native to the Delmarva Peninsula. Both moderate and long hikers skirt Tuckahoe Lake and Tuckahoe Creek. The area teems with owls, heron, turtles, etc. -- sometimes even river otter! Interested hikers can see native plants at the Adkins Arboretum. Est. miles: 10 (easy) and 8 (easy). Tuckahoe State Park Map, MD-DNR. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Emil Friberg (202) 812-8990 and Marsha Johnston (619) 855-0669. (MD). Easy Option.
April 28. Trillium Hike, Thompson WMA, VA. This visit to our country's largest concentration of giant white trillium (in full bloom) is a Wanderbirds tradition. The short driving distance and relatively moderate hiking gives hikers a chance to leisurely take photos and forage for morels. Moderate hikers start at Parking Area #5 on Route 638 and take the Verlin Smith Trail. They immediately encounter one of several huge stands of trilliums. Hikers then take the Appalachian Trail north, passing more trillium, and descend to Sky Meadows parking area via the Ambassador-Whitehouse Trail with its commanding views of the Virginia Piedmont. Long hikers start at Rt. 55 and ascend the AT, passing the Manassas Gap shelter. After a few miles on the AT, they encounter the famous trillium stands and follow the moderate hike to Sky Meadows parking. Est. miles: 11.5 (strenuous) and 8.5 (intermediate). PATC Map 8. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Michael Roehm (301) 223-7385 and Debbie Wallace (301) 318-1526. (VA)
May 5. Rose River Loop, Dark Hollow Falls, and Lewis Spring Falls Trails, SNP, VA. Long hikers begin at the upper Hawksbill parking lot and follow Skyland Big Meadow Horse Trail. They go left at the junction with Rose River Loop Trail, and follow it and Dark Hollow Falls Trail. At Dark Hollow Falls parking lot, they follow the drive south to Lewis Spring Road. They take Lewis Spring Falls Trail down to view the falls and then up to the AT north to Fishers Gap Overlook and the bus. Moderate hikers start at Fishers Gap and cross the drive to Rose River Loop and Dark Hollow Falls Trails, and follow the path of the long hikers to Lewis Spring Road. Here they follow the AT north or follow the long hikers to Lewis Falls and then the AT north. Est. miles: 11.5 (strenuous) and 8 (strenuous). PATC Map 10. Fare: $20/25 plus park fee. Leaders: Annetta DePompa (410) 535-5171 and Antonia Curiel (301) 656-9169. (VA)
May 12. AT, Snowy Mountain, PA to Pen Mar, MD. Long Hikers start at route 233 and ascend Snowy Mountain, pass Buzzard Peak, and continue on the AT south to Pen Mar. Moderate hikers begin at Old Forge Road, and also take the AT south to Pen Mar. Estimated miles: 13 (strenuous) and 8.4 (intermediate). PATC Map 4. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Austin Doyle (202) 248-2171 and Beatriz Prieto-Oramas (646) 436-5701. (MD)
May 19. Doyle's River and Jones Run Loops, SNP, VA. Today's hikes are clockwise loops. All hikers start at Brown's Gap and go north on the AT. After a short distance, long hikers turn left to complete Big Run Loop. Moderate hikers continue on the AT to Big Run Overlook, where long hikers rejoin them. All hikers turn right to descend Doyle River Trail and then ascend Jones Run Trail. At the AT, they turn right to return to Brown's Gap, thus completing the loops. Est. miles: 10.7 (strenuous) and 8 (intermediate). PATC map 11. Fare: $20/25 plus park fee or pass. Leaders: Jim Fitzsimmons (703) 465-9022 and George Saxton (703) 243-8284. (VA)
May 26. Halfmoon Mountain, Great North Mountain, WV. This hike has outstanding views of Trout Run Valley and Wilson Cove. Both hikes start from Trout Run Valley Road and involve circuits on Halfmoon Mountain. Long hikers take the Bucktail Trail to the Capon Trail, go along Waite's Run Road, and ascend the German Wilson and Halfmoon Trails to reach the Halfmoon Lookout to enjoy the views and watch hawks. They then descend the Halfmoon and Bucktail Cutoff Trails to reach Trout Run Valley Road and the bus. Moderate hikers follow Bucktail Trail, ascend German Wilson Trail, and continue on the path of the long hikers. This includes spectacular Halfmoon Lookout. Est. 12.5 (strenuous) and 9 (intermediate). PATC Map F. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Robert Holley (703) 239-0131 and Chris Bublitz (301) 588-4153. (VA)
June 2. Prince William Forest, Quantico, VA. All hikers start near the Visitor Center. Moderate hikers make a loop following Laurel Trail, North Valley, Lake One Rd, Mary Bird Branch, Old Black Top Rd, Taylor Farm Rd, South Valley and Laurel Trail. Long hikers follow a loop consisting of the following trails: Laurel Trail, North Valley, Burma Road, Taylor Farm Road, High Meadows, South Valley, and Laurel Trail. Est. miles: 12.5 (intermediate) and 8.5 (easy). Map: Prince William Forest Park web site. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Jesse Buckwalter (443) 852-4094 and Pat Fairfax (703) 328-1501. (VA)
June 9. Tuscarora Trail, Jemima-Hawk Section, WV. Long hikers walk up CR 23/1 and turn right to follow the Tuscarora Trail south. They pass the grave of Jemima for whom this section of the trail is named and traverse Hawk Recreational Area. They then ascend Great North Mountain and follow a ridge top to the end of the hike on route 55. Moderate hikers access the Tuscarora Trail by walking up Capon Springs Road and follow the path of the long hikers. Est. miles: 11.5 (intermediate) and 8 (intermediate). PATC Maps F and L. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Peng Yu (202) 596-4412 and Norbert Sinnott (703) 379-9791. (VA)
June 16. Stephens, Massanutten, and Kennedy Peak Trails, GWNF, VA. Circuit hike. All hikers begin and end at Camp Roosevelt and climb Stephens Trail to Massanutten Trail. There, long hikers turn left to do an out-and-back toward Habron Gap and then join the route of the moderate hikers. Moderate hikers turn right, with an option to ascend Kennedy Peak Trail, before returning to Massanutten Trail, which they follow to Camp Roosevelt. Est. miles: from 10 up to 14.5 (intermediate/strenuous) and 9 (intermediate). PATC Map G. Fare: $20/25. Leaders: Josh Silverman (703) 591-2822 and Laura Heaton (571) 212-2592. (VA)
June 23. AT, Bluff, and Mount Marshall Trails, SNP, VA. Long hikers begin at Jenkins Gap, and take the AT south, going over North and South Marshall mountains, to Gravel Springs Gap. They then go left on Bluff Trail and continue on Mount Marshall Trail to Jenkins Gap to complete the circuit. Moderate hikers start on the AT at milepost 16 of the Skyline Drive and follow the long hikers to complete a modified circuit. Est. miles: 13.4 (strenuous) and 9.5 (intermediate). PATC Map 9. Fare: $20/25 plus park fee or pass. Leaders: Mike Ollinger (301) 933-2196 and Anna Oldak (301) 528-2399. (VA)
June 30. AT and Rocky Knob to Caledonia State Park, PA. Hiking the beautiful trails south of Pine Grove Furnace, long hikers start at Shippensburg Road and take Fegley Road to the AT. They hike south on the AT and Rocky Knob Trail to the reservoir, where they join the moderate hikers. Moderate hikers head west on Orebank Road off Pine Grove Road (Rt. 233), climb the side of Long Pine Run Reservoir dam, and then follow the reservoir shoreline, where they join the long hikers. All hikers go left on Birch Run and Milesburn Roads and continue to Locust Gap Trail. All hikers follow Dark Hollow and Hosack Trails for a scenic loop and then continue south on the AT. They take Three Valley and Ramble Trails to the bus, located at Caledonia Iron Furnace parking lot. Est. miles: 12 (intermediate) and 9 (intermediate). PATC Maps 2 and 3. Fare $20/25. Leaders: Kiko Alvarez (607) 279-3455 and Susana Mendez (607) 279-4363. (MD)
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