Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club

This hike quickly became one of this trip leader’s favorite hikes for its many charms and beauties. The flat rock outcropping provides a pew above the Staunton River Valley and the nearby mountains almost wrap around you. Bear Church Rock is one of the few overlooks with few human structures in view (save for the the communication towers on Folk Mountain)

This visit, we will approach Bear Church Rock from Skyline Drive (MP 55) at Bootens Gap. We will start atop the Appalachian Trail before dropping elevation to Bear Church Rock. This trail will take us through a lesser-travelled section that is home to many wildflowers and backcountry hiking. Be warned, the overgrowth has been semi-unmanaged since the Pandemic Times and Stinging Nettles will likely be this part of the hike. Additionally, this trail rarely provides for flat hiking and the return trip is generally an uphill climb to Skyline Drive. That said, don't let this discourage you. Hopefully the hiker's reward is well worth the effort.

This strenuous out-and-back hike is 10 miles in length with approximately 2300 feet of elevation gain. After the hike, we may stop at the recently-open-for-the-season Big Meadows Lodge/New Market Tap Room. Did I hear screams for blackberry ice cream?

Bring water, snacks, lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, sturdy footwear and long hiking pants (recommended). We'll make our usual Sheetz pit stop to pick up lunch or any last-minute snacks. Trip fees should be about $28 ($15 for gas reimbursement, $8 for park entrance++, $5 Adventuring fee)

++We can often pay the park admission fee by using a park pass, as someone in each car will usually have a National Park Service Annual Park Pass.

[Note: RSVPs for this hike will open 2 weeks before the event and close at 6PM the day before the event.]

Join us as we bike the famous(ish) Arlington Triangle. The Triangle route uses the W&OD Trail, Custis Trail, and Mt. Vernon Trail, all paved trails, to create a lovely 18-mile tour through Arlington which is almost completely off-street. We will start and end at the Columbia Island Marina, at the southern end of the parking lot near the Island Time Bar and Grill.

Ride Length: About 18 miles on all asphalt trails/roads with mostly moderate inclines & declines.
Meetup location: Meet us with your bike at the Columbia Island Marina building, located at the southern end of the parking lot.
If you are coming by car: There is plenty of parking at the marina.
Pace: Casual and relaxed - no faster than about 10-12 miles per hour. We will take at least two breaks along the way. It will likely take us about 3 hours to complete the trip.
Bike condition: Please ensure that your bike is in good riding condition - tires hold air, brakes work, chain not rusty, etc. You may want to have a bike shop (or a skilled friend) take a look at your bike and make sure it is trail-worthy before joining.
Other bike options: A one-day Capitol Bikeshare rental is a great option if you're unsure about your own bike's condition. An E-bike is fine, but you may end up deciding that we’re moving too slow.
Rules of the road: There are a few stop lights on our route, and we will stop for them (even if everyone else and their gay uncle is blowing right through them!). We'll need to ride single file if the trails are busy (which, on weekends, they usually are).
Helmets: Strongly encouraged.
Group Size:Limited to 8 participants to keep the group manageable.
Cost: $5.00.
Bring: Helmet, plenty of beverages, snacks, & sunscreen.

This relaxed 12-mile bike ride will start outside the West Hyattsville Metro station, located along the Green line and Northwest Branch Trail. From there, we will change to the Sligo Creek Trail, which will take us along a beautiful stream valley towards downtown Silver Spring.

We’ll need to climb out of the stream valley to reach our pit stop in downtown Silver Spring. We won’t plan on breaking any speed records on this long climb. This ride is mostly on paved multi-use trails, with a short distance on neighborhood streets.

We’ll pit stop halfway at the Black Lion Café in downtown Silver Spring to refuel before retracing our route to the West Hyattsville Metro Station. The round-trip should total 12 miles with a social pace of 8-10 mph. An added benefit of our planned route is that it is adjacent to the Red/Green Metro lines. Join us for the whole trip, or choose your own mileage adventure.

Pump up your tires, make sure your brakes and gear shifters work, and join us. Helmets, lights, or bright clothing are always a good idea, but not required for this ride. The only expense will be the $5 trip fee.

Parking is available at the West Hyattsville Metro Station. We'll meet just outside the station at 11 AM and should return around 2 PM.

Want to join, but don't own a bike? There is a Capital Bikeshare station located at the West Hyattsville Metro. Please see the Capital Bikeshare App or website for availability and terms of service.