Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club

Located in George Washington National Forest west of Shenandoah National Park, the dramatic Big Schloss outcrop offers a scenic panorama of the beautiful Trout Run Valley in West Virginia and Little Schloss Mountain in Virginia. True to its Germanic namesake of "castle," Big Schloss promises a spectacular vista. We will begin with the challenge of a steady ascent along the Little Stony Creek Trail. After that, our route will be a comparatively pleasant stroll along the ridgeline of Mill Mountain, eventually bringing us to a short climb up to Big Schloss itself. A steep descent will lead us back down to our starting point.

This is a very strenuous 13-mile circuit hike with approximately 2300 feet of elevation gain, and is suitable only for experienced hikers in good aerobic shape. Bring sufficient water (at least 3 liters), lunch, bug spray, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear. All passengers will pay their carpool driver $20 for transportation, and everyone will pay the $5 trip fee to the trip leader in cash or by Venmo. A post-hike change of shirt, shoes and socks is optional but usually recommended for your own comfort. The regular Sheetz stop will provide the opportunity to purchase your favorite snack or sandwich en route to the trailhead.

Hikers will have the option to stop for drinks/dinner on the way home following the hike.

[I've had to reschedule this hike twice now because of rainy weather. I will try one last time for May 21. Be aware that most of the trilliums may already be past the flowering stage but we could still see some stragglers. In any event this is a pleasant, moderate hike with or without a profusion of trilliums. --Jerry]

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT FOR THIS HIKE: To go on this hike you must purchase in advance a $4 Daily Access Permit from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (unless you already have a currently valid Virginia hunting, fishing, or boat license). You can purchase the permit online, but wait until the day before the hike in case the hike needs to be cancelled or rescheduled due to bad weather. Make sure you carry a copy of the permit (either in paper form or downloaded to your mobile device) on the hike. If you haven't previously purchased a permit from the VA DWR you will need to create a free account. If you've previously purchased a permit you can access your account by clicking on the green "Lookup Individual" button in the upper left-hand corner. Either way, go to this web page to get started: Go Outdoors Virginia

This is a moderately strenuous circuit hike of around 8 miles with about 1,700 feet of elevation gain in Virginia's G. R. Thompson Wildlife Management Area and on the Appalachian Trail. It's on the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge Mountains about 11 miles east of Front Royal. This area has been known for nearly a century as one of the densest concentrations of trilliums in the eastern part of the country, though a scientific explanation remains elusive. When the trilliums are in bloom it's an impressive display. Pack a snack or lunch and bring water.

Doing this hike as a circuit instead of the customary one-way worked well last year so we will do it again this year. This eliminates the need for a time-consuming car shuttle. Parking at the trailhead might be limited so carpools are encouraged and will be organized at our meeting point. Each passenger should give his or her driver $11 for the transportation provided. The only other expense will be Adventuring's new $5 trip fee.

This is a strenuous hike (with less strenuous options) that features two of Maryland’s most spectacular overlooks of the Potomac River valley. One view is from the 350 foot Weverton Cliffs and the other from the 300 foot Maryland Heights overlook. The latter features a perfectly framed Harpers Ferry at the confluence of the Shenandoah River flowing in from the west and the Potomac River from the north west. As a bonus this hike will include a section of the AT that our group rarely traverses as it completes the “Across Maryland on the Appalachian Trail” series. (See past Adventuring hikes “Mason Dixon Line, High Rock, Ensign Cowell Shelter Hike,” “Washington Monument to Weverton Cliffs,” and “Ensign Cowall Shelter Hike to Washington Monument State Park .")

All good things involve some sacrifice, and this hike is no different. At 14+ round-trip miles and with 1300 feet of elevation gain, expect a solid workout. Skipping the Weverton Cliff overlook will cut 2 miles and 570 feet off of the hike. Skipping the Maryland Heights overlook will cut 3 miles and 650 feet off of this hike, but skipping either leg would be a shame.

The trip leaders advise that this hike is not suitable for dogs because of the steep and rocky access to the overlooks. Bring plenty of beverages, lunch, bug spray, and sunscreen. After the hike, we will retire to a place for dinner and drinks.

The regular Sheetz stop en route to our trailhead will provide the opportunity to get your lunch and supplies. There will be a dinner stop on the way home.

We will organize carpools and leave promptly at 8:30 a.m. from the Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station. Trip fees are $5 plus $10 for your carpool diver. These will be collected at the trailhead. Also note that this hike is limited to 12 participants, so if you cannot make it, please edit your RSVP so that another may sign up for your spot.

June 4 is National Trails Day. It’s also when mountain laurel bursts forth to show its spectacular colors. Adventuring is going to celebrate both occasions with this very strenuous circuit hike in the southern section of Shenandoah National Park, combining awe-inspiring views with the glorious blooms of mountain laurel.

Even without the blooming mountain laurel, this is a spectacular hike – offering magnificent panoramic views, particularly along the Austin Mountain Trail, at the Furnace Mountain Summit and at the stunning Blackrock summit. The 13.5-mile circuit hike with approximately 3000 feet of elevation gain over often challenging terrain is for experienced hikers only. Long sections of the trail require hiking along talus (broken rock) slopes that are fully exposed to the sun with little shade. Our reward for all this effort will include stunning vistas and mountainsides full of color.

We will stop at a Sheetz on our way to the trailhead, where you can buy made-to-order sandwiches for lunch. We also plan to stop for dinner on the way back. Costs will include the $5 Adventuring fee, $27 to reimburse your carpool driver, and anything you want to spend on dinner and lunch. Bring plenty of water (at least 3 liters), lunch, bug spray, and sunscreen.

Meet at 7:30 a.m. in the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot on the south side of the station, at North 19th Street and Sycamore Street. Because of the length of both the hike and the drive, we likely will not get back until after 9 p.m.