Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club

This is a moderate circuit hike of 7.6 miles with 1320 feet of elevation gain on trails rich in both history and scenery.

Adventuring's very first hike occurred 47 years ago this month, as our Founders ventured out in 1979 to Hoover Camp in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. It's an exceptionally scenic spot, where two modest streams (Mill Prong and Laurel Prong) merge to create the Rapidan River. Hoover Camp was originally built by President and Mrs. Herbert Hoover as a mountain hideaway and fishing retreat, a precursor to today's Camp David. Though many of the original structures have disappeared, the President's House (a.k.a. the Brown House) and the Prime Minister's Cabin survive to this day.
Our hike will begin at Milam Gap, just south of Big Meadows. We'll have one stream crossing at Big Rock Falls before we reach Hoover Camp, where we'll lunch on or near the porch of the Brown House and then explore the rest of the site. Our return route will first use the Laurel Prong Trail and then the Cat Knob Trail to reach the Appalachian Trail, which will take us back to our cars at Milam Gap.

We will decide at the end of the hike whether to enjoy refreshments at the charming New Market Taproom in Big Meadows Lodge or somewhere on the drive home.
Total length of this moderate circuit hike will be 7.6 miles with 1320 feet of elevation gain on the return leg. Bring plenty of beverages, lunch, sunscreen, sturdy boots, and $5 for the Adventuring trip fee. On the way to the hike, we'll stop at Sheetz in Warrenton so folks can pick up snacks or lunch. Carpool passengers should pay their drivers $20 (assuming each car has at least one rider with a Park Pass, which is usually the case).
Meet at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning May 23 in the Kiss & Ride Lot of the East Falls Church Metro Station at North Sycamore and 19th Streets, to your right as Metro riders leave the station's only exit.

RESERVATIONS FOR KAYAKS CAN ONLY BE MADE STARTING MAY 24.

In April, I led a walk at this park through the forest. Now, we are headed back but to the water to kayak the Patuxent River.

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.

disclaimer: the text above must have come from AI; I had nothing to do with it, although I can't quibble with any of it-- RH

Explore these two jewels of the Pacific Northwest

RSVP Prerequisites
(1) At the time of RSVP, participants must have already completed at least four Adventuring events (hikes and/or social gatherings) in the past year

(2) Must be fit enough for moderately strenuous hiking (our hikes could range up to 6-8 miles, with up to 2,000 feet of elevation gain)

(3) A $200 deposit will be required to secure your spot on the trip

Trip Details

Let's escape the worst of our summer heat and head to the opposite end of the country to spend a week exploring these two beautiful national parks, which are in the far corner of the Pacific Northwest.

We'll be hiking an amazing variety of terrain-- up forested canyons to tall waterfalls, across subalpine meadows of wildflowers past glacier-capped mountains, walking through cathedral-like old-growth rainforest, soaking in hot springs and hiking out to dramatic ocean beaches.

We’ll all stay in a big house together, sharing the cooking and kitchen duty, and riding to our hikes each day in the group cars. We’ll be spending three nights in Ashford, WA (for Mt. Rainier) and two nights each in Port Angeles and Forks, WA (for Olympic). Couples will have their own rooms. Singles will have their own beds, which may be in shared rooms or the living room.

Participants will share equally in the cost of the lodging, the rental cars and gas, the shared groceries and beverages, and any other group costs. Estimated at $1,300-1,600 each, all-in, for the week, plus participants will be responsible for their own travel costs to Seattle and back.

Limited to 7-9 participants (depends on how many additional couples sign up).