Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club

Maryland Heights is one of Adventuring’s most popular hikes. It starts in the picturesque and historic town of Harpers Ferry, WV and provides spectacular views along the way and directly above Harpers Ferry. This scenic and historic hike is also physically challenging, but for those able to make the climb, the rewards will be stupendous.

After a lovely walk through the Lower Town of Harpers Ferry and then along the Potomac on the C&O Canal, we’ll begin the steep upward trek to the summit, where the remnants of the Civil War Stone Fort await. We’ll then descend to the magnificent Harpers Ferry Overlook.

For those interested, we'll stop afterwards at the nearby Harpers Ferry Brewery, which has its own lovely view of the Shenandoah River, or grab a bite to eat on our drive back. Total length of this strenuous outing should be about 7.5 miles, with 1700 feet of often-steep elevation gain.

We'll meet to form our carpool at 8:45 a.m. in the Kiss & Ride lot of the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station. We plan to leave at 9 a.m. sharp. Bring plenty of beverages, lunch (there will be a Sheetz stop for those who don’t want to prepare lunch at home), sturdy hiking boots, and the $5 Adventuring fee, plus $10 to reimburse your carpool driver if you're a passenger. If no one in your car has a National Parks or Military Pass, the Park entrance fee is $20 per vehicle, a cost that would be shared among the vehicle's occupants. (We'll try to arrange the carpool so that each car has at least one person with a Pass.)

If you want to drive directly to the Park, please be there by 10:30. The address is: 171 Shoreline Drive, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425. When you sign up, Meetup will ask you questions about whether you can be a carpool driver or whether you will drive directly to the park. Please answer these questions so we can properly arrange this outing.

Come along to explore approx. 5 miles of trails that zig, zag, and zoom through Patuxent River Park as we head to southern Prince George's County.

Important Note: Everyone who registers will initially be placed on the waitlist. I will reach out to participants, in the order of sign up, with further information on how to pay the trip deposit. Once the deposit is received, your status will be updated to Going.

Join us for a weekend adventure as we explore America’s newest National Park and raft the iconic New River Gorge! We’ll depart mid-morning on Friday, June 19 and make our way to the outfitter’s campus near Fayetteville, West Virginia. Along the way, we’ll stop at Virginia's newest tourist attraction - Buc-ee’s - and enjoy the scenery as we cross from the Virginia highlands into West Virginia.

On Saturday, we’ll spend the day rafting the Lower New River, a classic Class III–V rafting stretch known for its big waves, warm water, and stunning scenery through the New River Gorge. This guided trip typically lasts 5–6 hours and includes periods of intense paddling, calm pools for swimming and a riverside lunch break. Participants should be comfortable in moving water, able to paddle vigorously as part of a team and capable of sitting on the raft’s outer tubes for extended periods. Good mobility, balance and the ability to climb back into the raft if needed are important. This trip is recommended for individuals in good physical condition who can handle moderate to strenuous activity throughout the day. The evening will be free to explore the amenities, relax or enjoy the on-site dining options.

On Sunday, we’ll check out and head to the Canyon Rim Visitor Center and partake in a short scenic walk into the Gorge—an excellent opportunity for photos of the famous arch bridge and panoramic views—before returning home. Note that the walk to the lower observation deck involves descending 178 steps. We expect to arrive back in the metro area early Sunday evening.

Transportation
Carpooling details will be worked out among participants and a meeting/departure location will be set; drivers will receive a reimbursement. In the event we don't have enough drivers, we will utilize rental vehicles.

Lodging & Sleeping Arrangements
Once we arrive at the outfitter's base camp on Friday, we’ll check into their historic Truman Lodge, which features a full kitchen, porch and hot tub and is conveniently located within walking distance of their water park, restaurants, bar and rafting check-in. Sleeping arrangements will be coordinated among participants; options include queen-sized beds, a futon, roll-aways, and foam mattresses in the sleeping loft.

Meals
Lunch on Saturday is included with the rafting trip but all other meals will be on your own; group coordination will be encouraged. We’ll make a lunch stop on both the trip down and the return trip. The outfitter has two restaurants on site and the cabin has a kitchen; we’ll bring a cooler and make a brief stop for groceries on the way down.

Trip Costs
The total estimated trip cost is $325-375. This includes transportation, lodging, rafting (includes lunch) and the Adventuring trip fee.

Important Registration Information
Participation is limited to individuals who have participated in least three prior Adventuring events. Everyone who registers will initially be placed on the waitlist. Participants will be contacted in the order they signed up in order to submit a $200 deposit which is needed to secure your rafting spot. You will have one week to respond before your spot is offered to the next person on the list. The balance payment will be due by no later than June 1. If you must cancel, your deposit and any other fees paid will be refunded in full only if your spot is filled. Maximum group size: 10 participants.