What we’re about
What is Adventuring?
*For a full description, visit us at AdventuringLGBTQ.com*
Adventuring is an outdoors club for the LGBTQ+ community in the Washington DC Metro area. We're all about enjoying the outdoors and being physically active in a social setting.
Don't fret about your current fitness level or prior outdoors experience - we welcome everyone. We also coordinate carpools to help you get there economically.
Our trip fee is $5, plus any mileage reimbursement to drivers (if you participate in a carpool). There is no membership fee.
Contact us with any questions at AdventuringLGBTQ@gmail.com. Even better - come to our Spring Social, Fall Social, Summer Picnic, or Winter Party to get to know us better.
Adventuring Contacts
- President: Philip Tracy (philip.tracy.dc.adventure@gmail.com)
- Vice President: Jeff Hughes (jeffreyhughes@me.com)
- Secretary: Karsten Halusa (karsten_halusa@hotmail.com)
- Membership: Anders Olausson (anders.olausson@outlook.com)
- Treasurer: Peter Redding (redding.peter@gmail.com)
- Technology: Bryan Fennell (bryan_fennell@outlook.com)
- At Large: Bill Horten (billhorten@gmail.com)
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Boundary Bridge HikeVan Ness Metro (East Side), Washington, DC, DC
Finish off your Fourth of July Weekend this Sunday afternoon with an invigorating trek through the northernmost reaches of DC's Rock Creek Park.
Starting at noon from the Van Ness Metro Station, we will first walk into Rock Creek Park via the newly revamped Soapstone Valley Trail to the Pierce Mill area, where modern restroom facilities are available.
From Pierce Mill we’ll take the Western Ridge Trail north to Boundary Bridge at the DC/MD Line. Expect plenty of ups and downs as we stroll along. We will then head south on the other side of the creek via the Valley Trail (not so rigorous as the Western Ridge Trail) back to Pierce Mill. From here it will be a quick trip out of the Park to the Cleveland Park Metro Station on Connecticut Avenue. We should finish around 4:30 p.m.
Trip length is about 9 1/2 miles, with moderate elevation gains (mostly northbound).
Note there will be open parking around either Metro Station because it's a Sunday, with no fees or time restrictions.
Optional beer/bar food option at Nanny O’Briens on Connecticut Avenue https://nannyobriens.com/ after the hike.
Trip fee - $5 - cash only - exact change appreciated; option to Venmo (only - no other pay apps available). The trip leader will fund fee for financially challenged Adventurers.
NEW! 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.
- Tibbet Knob and Big Schloss HikeEast Falls Church Metro Kiss and Ride, Falls Church, VA
Beat the summer heat and join us on a hike on the Great North Mountain along the Virginia-West Virginia line. We’ll hike two peaks, including the famous rock outcropping known as Big Schloss.
Our hike begins from Wolf Gap Recreation Area. We’ll hike south for 1.5 miles to Tibbet Knob, where the climb to the top features a couple of short rock scrambles, but the views are well worth the challenge. We’ll then retrace our steps back to Wolf Gap and then follow the Mill Mountain trail north. This trail ascends steeply for the first 3/4 of a mile then levels off along the ridge and hikers are rewarded with several scenic views along the trail.
The spur trail to Big Schloss features some minor rock scrambles to reach the scenic outcropping and its spectacular 270-degree panoramic view. After enjoying some time at the top, we’ll head back to Wolf Gap.
Total hiking distance will be approximately 7.4 miles. Combined with a cumulative elevation gain of a little over 2,000 feet, this is a moderately strenuous hike. Participants should have some hiking experience and be in good physical condition, as moderately strenuous hikes will generally be challenging for an unconditioned person.
Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring a daypack with snacks, lunch, raingear (mountain weather can be fickle!) and about three quarts of water. This cost for this trip is the $5 Adventuring fee, plus $15 for your driver if you participate in the carpool. There will be an optional dinner stop at Woodstock Brewhouse on the trip home.
Due to limited parking at the trailhead, carpooling is encouraged. We will depart from the East Falls Church Metro Kiss and Ride lot at 8:00 a.m. (remember that Metro now opens at 6:00 a.m. on weekends). We’re starting a little earlier to try to avoid the worst of the afternoon heat and any potential late afternoon thunderstorms. There will be a pit stop at the Gainesville Sheetz (Exit 43B off I-66) on the trip out. For those meeting us at the trailhead, be careful following your GPS. Use Wolf Gap Recreation Area as your destination. We will convene at the trailhead at 10:00 a.m.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release. Please Click Here to review our release form.
RSVPs for this event will open 2 weeks before the trip.
- Signal KnobEast Falls Church Metro Station, Arlington, VA
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.
The Signal Knob Loop is a steep and strenuous 10.2-mile hike with 2400 feet of elevation gain at the northern end of Massanutten Mountain near Strasburg, VA. We'll enjoy outstanding views of Fort Valley, Shenandoah Valley and Great North Mountain as we proceed to the site of an important Union and Confederate signal outpost during the Civil War.
This is not a beginner's hike, nor is it suitable for dogs.
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.
http://www.hikingupward.com/gwnf/SignalKnob/
Meet by 8:15 a.m. to form our carpools in the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot. Please answer the RSVP questions so the event host can organize the carpool. We will depart promptly at 8:30 a.m.
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, 15315 Washington St, Haymarket, VA 20169 on your way the distance is about 145 miles round trip to the parking lot.
Here is a link from the parking area to the trailhead.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kCFcj3YZ798KRU7J9
If you are meeting us at the trailhead, please be there by 9:45 am.
The GPS coordinates to the trailhead are Signal Knob parking area on 678/Fort Valley Rd. 38.93498, -78.31996
Leader: Devon A Stoney (202) 702-4500 (Emergency Use Only)
Adventuring fee: $5.00 cash or venom
Driver fee: 145 miles round trip x .30 = $43.50 per driver dived by total car passengers including the driver. Bring cash.
Shared Park Entry Fee: $0OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED: A post-hike change of shirt, shoes, and socks
- Kennedy PeakEast Falls Church Metro Station, Arlington, VA
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 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.
http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/KennedyPeak/
Meet by 8:15 a.m. to form our carpools in the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot. Please answer the RSVP questions so the event host can organize the carpool. We will depart promptly at 8:30 a.m.
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 at 5315 Washington St, Haymarket, VA 20169 on your way the distance is about 204 miles round trip to the parking lot.
Here is a link from the parking area to the trailhead.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CTpZMNPfSVvJqMDL7If you are meeting us at the trailhead, please be there by 10:00 am.
The GPS coordinates to the trailhead are 38.72761, -78.51611
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.Leader: Devon A Stoney (202) 702-4500 (Emergency Use Only)
Adventuring fee: $5.00 cash or venom
Driver fee: 204 miles round trip x .30 = $61.20 per driver divided by total car passengers including the driver. Bring cash.
Shared Park Entry Fee: $0OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED: A post-hike change of shirt, shoes, and socks
