About us
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DC UL Backpacking hosts an average of 80 backpacking events each year, specializing in high-mileage, lightweight backpacking trips throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Our membership structure helps backpackers gain or enhance their outdoor skills. In general, our trips are quite challenging but you’ll find a wealth of experienced backpackers who are eager to share advice. Visit our website (www.dculbackpacking.com) to learn more about our group and our membership and trip ranks, and to read our FAQs.
Our goal: To cultivate a community of independent outdoorsmen and women who want nothing more than to have a fulfilling backcountry experience–to wake early, to walk far, and to travel light.
Join us. We look forward to meeting you!
When applying to join our group, make sure to fill out our questionnaire fully. We also require that your profile photo is of yourself.
*** Read our liability waiver (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/) and COVID-19 guidelines here: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/. ***
Upcoming events
11
MO: AT PA-Caledonia state park to Boiling Spring (~32miles)
Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station Kiss & Ride, Strathmore, Grosvenor, North Bethesda, MD, USThe whole trip will be about 32 miles (10/16/6) but if we all vote to hike farther, we can do 40 mile version instead (10/16/14).
Here is the itinerary:
We will meet at 3 pm on Thursday at Grosvenor-Strathmore metro parking area (https://maps.app.goo.gl/RfWpd3f8LSg1dM9w7). Then we will drive to Whisky Spring Parking area (32 mile-version)
or York Rd (PA Rte 74)(40 miles version) depending on how far we want to hike the last day. Then we will shuttle back to our starting point at Caledonia State park (https://maps.app.goo.gl/wkq6VTMwKHsDgS1s5). Then we will hike 10 miles to Birch Run Shelter.
Friday : We will hike to James Fry at Tagg Run Shelter 16 miles
Saturday: Hike out to either Whisky Spring Parking area - 6 miles
or York Rd (PA Rte 74) 1127- 14 milesI need to be back by 2 pm on Saturday so if we vote to do 14 miles, we will have to start hiking out early (~6 am).
This trip is for member only since I am still learning how to organize a trip. You can learn about membership ranks here. Read about DCUL's trip ranks here.
Waiver: By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to these guidelines and to DC UL's waiver liability terms (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/)
Carpool: As per our carpool policy, riders should pay drivers $0.10/mile. Total driving distance is around 220 miles, so all non-drivers should expect to pay $22 or so to their driver.
1 attendee
MO: North Fork Mtn/Spruce Knob (~40 miles)
Vienna Metro North Lot, Oakton, VA 22181, Vienna Metro North Lot, Oakton, VA, USI've never done the North Fork Mountain Trail and wanted to do it, but it's a long drive for a 24-mile hike. So, I am combining it with one of my favorite WV hikes: Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek. We will need a car shuttle for the North Fork Mtn Trail, so depending on the number of participants, we will need 2-4 drivers.
The plan is to leave Vienna Friday morning at 7:30 am, drive to the northern trailhead (38.98168, -79.23100), leave 1-2 cars there, drive to the southern trailhead (38.71083, -79.40214), start North Fork Mountain Trail hike. We will do about 12.4 miles to the campsite and possible spring (if it's really dry, we can set up a water cache or carry enough for the whole hike). Saturday morning, we will get up early and hike the remainder of North Fork Mtn Trail, drive to southern trailhead and from there to Spruce Knob Parking. Saturday afternoon we will hike down from Spruce Knob to Seneca Creek and camp anywhere along the creek, ideally by the Seneca Falls. Sunday morning, we'll hike up to see the plane crash site from the 70s and then hike back up to Spruce Knob and drive home.
Caltopo: North Fork Mountain - CalTopo
North Fork Mtn Trail: https://myhikes.org/trails/north-fork-mountain-hike
Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek: Backpacking the Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek LoopWaiver: By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to these guidelines and to DC UL's waiver liability terms (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/)
COVID-19 policy: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/Dues: Members and above, don't forget to pay your annual dues. You can check if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.)
Carpool: As per our carpool policy, riders should pay drivers $0.10/mile.
7 attendees
MO: Dolly Sods (23 miles)
Vienna Metro North Lot, Oakton, VA 22181, Vienna Metro North Lot, Oakton, VA, USExcited to head to Dolly Sods Wilderness in June. As Juneteenth falls on a Friday this year, it's a three-day weekend for some.
Planned split is 1/14(+optional 5)/8. Here is the planned route: https://caltopo.com/m/E6C3C1L
NOTE: I'm doing trail work in Dolly Sods Wilderness (my first AHS Volunteer Vacation) Sunday June 14 through Thursday June 18. As I'm going to be off-grid leading up to the trip, co-organizer Aileen will be the point person for carpools, questions, etc. the week before the trip.
Waiver: By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to these guidelines and to DC UL's waiver liability terms (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/)
COVID-19 policy: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/Dues: Members and above, don't forget to pay your annual dues. You can check if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.)
Carpool: As per our carpool policy, riders should pay drivers $0.10/mile. Expect around $29.
- James (Biodome)
9 attendees
Past events
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