Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club

Happy New Year, Adventurers!

Continuing a tradition that started in 1991, Adventuring's first hike of the New Year will be at the Great Falls of the Potomac, arguably the most spectacular natural wonder in the National Capital Area. 2026 being an even year, we will focus on the Maryland side of Great Falls.

We will gather at Great Falls Tavern and head upstream along the C&O Canal towpath, with the Canal on one side and the Potomac River on the other. After a couple of miles we will reach Swains Lock, a scenic and historic spot which should have enough picnic tables for our lunch. After lunch we'll retrace our steps back to the Tavern. Some of us may want to continue downstream a short ways past the Tavern to the trail leading to the Falls Overlook, while others may skip the Overlook and head out right away. Total length of this easy, level round-trip hike will be about 5 miles.

If the weather cooperates, a stop at the beer garden at nearby Old Anglers Inn on MacArthur Boulevard may be in order. Warming up at the Irish Inn at Glen Echo may also be a tempting after-hike option.

Those wishing to participate in our carpool either as drivers or passengers will gather by the Panera on Wisconsin Avenue by the Tenleytown Metro Station at 11 a.m. Passengers will give their drivers $5. Those wishing to drive directly to Great Falls should plan to be at the Tavern by 11:45 to rendezvous with the carpoolers. Everyone should expect to pay the $20/vehicle admission fee at the entrance to Great Falls unless you or someone else in your vehicle has a Park Pass. (Historically, most vehicles in our carpool have included someone with a Pass.)

Bring beverages, lunch, mud-worthy hiking boots, and the $5 Adventuring trip fee, and dress in layers.

Please click here to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release. Everyone must RSVP on their own behalf.

This is a 9-mile circuit hike in the George Washington National Forest with around 1,500 feet of elevation gain.

We will start the hike in the parking lot of the Stephens trail off Route 675 from Fort Valley Drive (route 678) past Front Royal, Virginia. The hike will start on the Stephens Trail and then connect to the Massanutten Trail close to the ridgeline overlooking the Shenandoah River.

Once we arrive on the Massanutten Trail, we will hike out towards the observation tower in about one mile, have lunch, and then return to the car using the Massanutten trail.

This definitely is not a hike where we will race through it because safety is a concern and making sure our fellow hikers enjoy the experience is important.

Pace 2-2.5 mph if this speed is not conducive to your hiking level please know that I do not hike any slower or faster than this pace so please consider another hike. I also take frequent stops and breaks going up hills.
PLEASE PRINT OUT ANY MAPS THAT YOU THINK YOU MAY NEED AS I DO NOT PROVIDE COPIES OF MAPS. ALL THE LINKS AND COORDINATES YOU WILL NEED ARE BELOW.

Note: Smart phones will not give you the complete map and will end at the Sheetz! You can plot the coordinate below.

We will stop at the Sheetz on your way (Sheetz, 15315 Washington St, Haymarket, VA 20169) the distance is about 154 miles round trip to the parking lot.

If you are meeting us at the trailhead please be there by 915 am.
The GPS coordinates to the trailhead are 38.72761, -78.51611 https://maps.app.goo.gl/QeFDSJf3oRYjvfMC7

We will have lunch at the top at the Observation Tower also if you would like additional information on the hike here is a link that should help you.
http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/KennedyPeak/

Now the warning: PLEASE DON’T SIGN UP FOR THIS HIKE UNLESS YOU’VE BEEN HIKING A LOT RECENTLY. This is not a beginner's hike, nor is it suitable for dogs. Bring plenty of beverages, lunch, sunscreen, bug spray and sturdy boots.

We will meet at 8:00 a.m. to form our carpool in the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot. We will promptly leave at 815.

In addition to your hiking gear and plenty of water, please bring $5 for the Adventuring Trip Fee and a $12 carpool fee for your driver.

Effective immediately, Adventuring will waive the $5 trip fee for any federal employee or contractor who has been furloughed during the current Shutdown. Trip participants will still have to pay their share of transportation costs.

Please click here to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release

A 10 mile circuit hike on Massanutten Mountain near Strasburg in the George Washington & Jefferson National Forests . Sweeping views from overlooks. The high point is Signal Knob, used as a signal relay station during the Civil War. Elevation gain 2300 feet.

We will stop at the Sheetz on your way (Sheetz, 15315 Washington St, Haymarket, VA 20169) the distance is about 144 miles round trip to the parking lot.

Here is a link from the parking area to the trail head. If you are meeting us at the trail head please be there by 9:15 am. GPS coordinates at the trail head: [38.934984, -78.319957]( "Get Directions") https://maps.app.goo.gl/aMdTbEwGymWAnUNV8

We will have lunch at the top of Signal Knob also if you would like additional information on the hike here is a link that should help you. http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/SignalKnob/

Now the warning: PLEASE DON’T SIGN UP FOR THIS HIKE UNLESS YOU’VE BEEN HIKING A LOT RECENTLY. This is not a beginner's hike, nor is it suitable for dogs. Bring plenty of beverages, lunch, sunscreen, bug spray and sturdy boots.

We will meet at 8:00 a.m. to form our carpool in the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot. We will promptly leave at 815.

In addition to your hiking gear and plenty of water, please bring $5 for the Adventuring Trip Fee and a $12 carpool fee for your driver.

Effective immediately, Adventuring will waive the $5 trip fee for any federal employee or contractor who has been furloughed during the current Shutdown. Trip participants will still have to pay their share of transportation costs.

Please click here to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release

This 7-mile circuit hike is a great local hike that travels through a few eras of time along the Potomac River. Our planned loop is rated as easy/moderate with approximately 500 feet of elevation gain over variable terrain and some tricky footing in one area. There there will likely be mud somewhere along the way.

Our hike visits both the C&O Canal and Blockhouse Point in Darnestown, Maryland. The Blockhouse played a role in Civil War history as a supply complex, nestled in upland forest overlooking the Potomac River. We'll be travelling over trails over 150 years old. We might to see a few local winter birds as we pass the Dierssen Wildlife Management Area and along the C&O Canal. And of course, we’ll have Potomac River views for days from atop the high bluff.

Meet at the Rockville Metro Station at 10 a.m. to form carpools. We’ll gather at the Kiss & Ride lot on the west side of the station (the side on of MD-355).

Bring mud-worthy sturdy footwear, water, snacks, lunch, sunscreen, and bug spray. Trip fee: $6. ($1 transportation, $5 Adventuring trip fee) There will NOT be a pit stop on the way to the trailhead. RSVPs open 2 weeks before the event.

--> Please click here to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.