About us
PATC hikes are an opportunity to understand the club and its important trail maintenance work. You do not need to be a PATC member to hike with us, but we hope you will consider joining after getting to know us. Come join us on the trails!
(PATC hikes are conducted by trained hike leaders. The hikes offer various levels of difficulty and distance).
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ABOUT PATC
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a 100% Volunteer-Supported 501c3 non-profit formed in 1927 for the purpose of building and maintaining the Appalachian Trail (AT), a 2190-mile footpath from Maine to Georgia, the longest hiking-only trail in the world.
We are the Trail Guardians for over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia & Virginia, including 240 miles of AT. Our territory begins in Central Pennsylvania at Pine Grove Furnace, continues thru Maryland & West Virginia to Harpers Ferry and extends into the mid-point of Virginia, including the Shenandoah National Park. In addition, we maintain other regional trails, for a total of over 1,000 miles of trails, thousands of acres of land and more than 80 shelters and cabins.
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ABOUT THE HIKE PROGRAM
The first stated purpose of PATC is "to support and encourage the ... proper recreational use of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and other trails". This is done partly through the sponsorship of hikes on trails in PATC's area and on other trails.
The club has a wide-ranging hiking program which includes local area hikes and excursions into other geographical areas. Hikes can range from short, close-in day hikes to extended excursions. Hikes can be for physical conditioning, social interaction, nature walks, history lessons, to reach a viewpoint, or any of a number of purposes. The club encourages a wide variety of hikes, and provides training and support to hike leaders.
Upcoming events
9
Wheaton Regional Park and Brookside Garden a 6.2 Moderate Hike
Wheaton Regional Park, 2004 Shorefield Rd, Wheaton, MD, USWheaton Regional Park and Brookside Garden a 6.2 Moderate Hike
Enjoy a delightful hike just outside of the beltway. This 536-acre park is loaded with wooded trails that traverse modest hills. We will explore many of them. We will also dip into the 50-acre Brookside Gardens, complete with its diverse plantings and shimmering ponds. It is often described as the jewel of Montgomery County parks. The surface for this hike is mostly natural surface, although there are significant sections of paved surface. Feel free to bring along lunch to enjoy at the trailhead when the hike is over, then stroll back to Brookside Gardens if you wish, a short walk from the trailhead. Please be advised that you may not eat in the park.
Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00
Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 39.054546, -77.043680
The Street address is 2004 Shorefield Rd · Silver Spring, MD. When you enter the park you come to a circle. Drive around it 3/4 of the way (to make a left turn) and proceed to a large parking lot. Drive to the far end of the lot.Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.
Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6.2 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 480 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead and about 4.5 miles into the hike
Fees: No entrance feeCancellation: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.
Weather: The weather for this location can be found here.
Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.15 attendees
Gold Mine and Great Falls Overlook. A Moderate 6.5 Mile Hike
C&O Canal National Historic Park at Anglers Inn Entrance, 10801 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, VA, USGold Mine and Great Falls Overlook. A Moderate 6.5 Mile Hike
This hike features the remnants of a quirky gold mine and the classic overlook of Great Falls. The mine was established by a Union soldier who was stationed along the Maryland side of the Potomac River near Great Falls during the Civil War. He noticed a glint of gold and after the war, he returned to the area, bought some farmland, and started mining for gold. Eventually, 30 small mines were opened by various prospectors. One of the largest mines was the Maryland Mine. A total of 5,000 ounces of gold were produced by the mines in the area, worth about $10,000,000 in today's money. Today, little remain of these mines, but there is a loop trail that passes by one of them. The hike starts near Old Angler’s Inn, passes by the mine remains, then goes down to the classic overlook of Great Falls before returning to the woods and hiking back on trails with splendid views of the Potomac River.
Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy at one of the overlooks,
Please note:
You must sign up by 5:00 PM the evening before the hike.Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00.Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 38.981913, -77.226457The Street address is 10801 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854. NOTE: This address is for Old Angler's Inn. The parking lot for the hike is across the street from the Inn. DO NOT park in The Old Angler's Inn parking lot. They tow.
Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim: 202-744-0289 and Christa: 410-610-6254. Call or text as needed.Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 590 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead and half-way through the hike.
Fees: No entrance feesCancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.Weather:
The weather for this location can be found here.Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Dogs are not allowed at the Great Falls Overlook
-Please keep this a fragrance-free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.16 attendees
SNP Dickey Ridge Blooms 3.5 Mi 600 Ft Moderate Hike
Location not specified yetThis Shenandoah National Park out-and-back hike starts at the Dickey Ridge Trailhead before reaching the North Entrance pay station. A pretty stream runs parallel with the trail for about a mile until we begin an ascent to our turn around point where the trail again intersects with Skyline Drive. At this time of year, we should see early spring flowers! Sections of the trail are rocky, and there are several very small “rock hop” water crossings. Elevation gain is about 600 ft. We typically hike about 2 mph; however, we leave no one behind and will move at a pace that is comfortable for all. Breaking for flower photos is encouraged!
Group Size: 20 hikers
Time to Meet: Please meet 15-20 minutes prior to hike start for introductions and liability waiver sign in.
If you can't make the hike, please edit your RSVP with 24-48 hours notice if possible to open a spot for another hiker. This request also applies to those on the waitlist.
Meeting Location/Parking: 17065 Skyline Drive, Front Royal, VA
There is ample shoulder parking on both sides of Skyline Drive adjacent to the marked Dickey Ridge Trailhead although carpooling is encouraged to conserve spots. Heading south on Skyline Drive, the trailhead is on the right BEFORE the Front Royal/North Entrance Pay Station.Facilities: No restroom is available at the trailhead.
Admission: Park fee or pass. https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for comments and questions. The hike leader is Lisa Peterson.
Cancellation: In the event that the hike needs to be cancelled, hikers will be notified through comments on this posting. Please check Meetup for updates.
What to Bring: Water at least two liters, emergency contact information, personal first aid kit and medications, snacks/meal, sunscreen/protection from weather, insect repellant, trekking poles if you use them (highly recommended for hikes with water crossings), sturdy hiking footwear.
Please leave pets at home. Thanks!
Notes:
- RSVP to register for this hike. If your plans change, update your RSVP.
- To find out more about PATC, click here.
- Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.
Attendance is limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. PATC rules do not permit children under 18 years to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.
21 attendees
Past events
280
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