Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club

One of Adventuring's quirkier traditions is a trek on some stretch of the sprawling Gettysburg Battlefield in mid-January, during what statistically should be the coldest time of year. The secret to keeping warm is to maintain an invigorating pace, with fewer and shorter interpretive stops to discuss the events of July 1863. Plus, we always wind up our day by warming up in a cheerful local tavern with suitable refreshments, alcoholic or otherwise. The advantage we derive by traipsing around the battlefield at such a seemingly inauspicious time is that we can see and appreciate things normally blocked to view when the leaves are out.

This year, our itinerary will focus on parts of the battlefield involved with Pickett's Charge, perhaps the most spectacular debacle in American military history. We will hike through segments of both Union and Confederate lines and wind up marching in the very footsteps of the brave but doomed Rebels charging across open fields into the maws of the Army of the Potomac. Our story climaxes with perhaps the most heavily witnessed and recorded same-sex kiss in the entire Civil War. Afterwards we shall repair for recuperation and refreshments at an appropriate town watering hole.

Total length of our easy-to-moderate loop hike should not exceed 6 miles, with deceptively little elevation gain over rolling and muddy and/or icy terrain. Bring beverages, lunch and sturdy winter-worthy footwear, and dress in layers. Carpool passengers should pay their drivers $15, and everyone will pay the $5 Adventuring trip fee, cash or Venmo. There will be a pit stop en route at a Sheetz for those wishing to draw rations there.

We will gather to form our carpool at 9 a.m. on the Sunday of the MLK Birthday weekend in the Kiss & Ride lot of the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station and should return by 6 p.m.

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.

Join us on Dr. King’s birthday for a hike in the National Park in our own backyard!

We will gather at 9 a.m. at the Cleveland Park Metro Station, on the east side of Connecticut Avenue near the strip mall parking lot.

Our 7.5-mile circuit hike, with plenty of moderate elevation changes en route, will take in several of the trip leader’s favorite Park attractions, including the Peirce-Klingle Mansion, the Jusserand Memorial, the Horse Center, and Fort DeRussey. We should be back to our starting place around 1:30 or 2:00 p.m.

Bring beverages and snacks, and dress in layers. Be sure to wear hiking shoes with a good tread capable of handling muddy or icy trails. There will be at least one bathroom break near the beginning of the route; additional bathroom access in the Park may be limited. Your only cost will be the $5 Adventuring trip fee, by cash (exact change is greatly appreciated) or Venmo.

NOTE: 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. Note that everyone must RSVP on their own behalf.

This hidden jewel of a hike offers lots and lots of winter leg stretching and cardio workout opportunities as it circles around the mountains on the eastern side of Shenandoah National Park's central section.

To begin our hike, we'll descend steeply from the Pinnacles Overlook, leaving most of the views behind us as we drop to the park's boundary before climbing upward following a mountain stream. There's winter greenery to jazz up the dull winter mood.

Our very strenuous 10.8-mile circuit hike does not offer much in the way of views, but offers plenty of peaceful woods for us to explore. We'll see plentiful mountain laurel, old growth hemlock and wild oak. Along the way, we'll also see remnants of the mountains' former residents and travel on a very rocky forestry road. Elevation gain of this hike is approximately 2800 feet, with a significant portion at the end of the hike. Only well-conditioned and well-prepared hikers should attempt very strenuous hikes. The hike will generally be long and steep, and may include stream crossings and other challenging terrain.

Bring plenty of water, snacks, lunch, sturdy footwear, optional headlamp, and about $24 for transportation and trip fees. ($5 for the Adventuring trip fee**, $12 for mileage reimbursement, and a shared portion of the $30/car SNP admission fee. (We can usually cover the Park’s admission fee with those hikers who hold annual park passes.)

We'll carpool at 8:00 a.m. from the Kiss & Ride Lot of the East Falls Church Metro Station. We will make our usual pit stop at a Sheetz to stock up on lunch and/or snacks before heading to the trailhead. There may be an optional dinner stop on the way home. 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.

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