What we’re about
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.
*** RSVPing on Meetup will not secure your spot for this event. You must follow the Registration Link to sign-up. Thank you!
Join us for a day of learning, fun, and community. The PATC Women’s Fall Trail Summit is a way to connect women and femme identifying folks to the outdoors while educating and promoting safe and responsible outdoor recreation. Presentations will include: Leave No Trace, Winter Hiking, Navigating/Orienteering, First Aid, and so much more.
The PATC Women’s Trail Summit is being held on Saturday October 7, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Ironmaster Mansion, located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, PA.
There will be a small fee to attend the summit. The fee includes breakfast/afternoon snacks and drinks along with a goody bag for each participant. The fee does not include lunch. Each participant will need to bring their own lunch. There is a small discount for PATC Members. No refunds will be given after September 29.
- PATC Members $10.00
- Non PATC Members $20.00
*** RSVPing on Meetup will not secure your spot for this event. You must follow the Registration Link to sign-up. Thank you!
Schedule of Events
8:30-9:00 Registration/Breakfast Snacks
9:00-9:30 Welcome
9:30-10:15 PA Trails- Holly Tritt, Keystone Trails Association
10:15-10:45 * AT Museums/ Hikes-Julie Queen
11:00-11:50 AT Museum Self-Guided Tour
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-1:30 Leave No Trace Anna Shoemaker
1:30-2:00 Safety-Cynthia Russell
2:00-3:00 Group Hike
3:00-3:50 Hiking 101 (Winter)-Michele Cook & Kristine Villatoro
4:00-4:50 Navigating/Orienteering- Danielle DeHart
5:00-5:15 Closing
Upcoming events (2)
See all- PATC Annual Women's Trail SummitIronmaster's Mansion, Gardners, PA
*** RSVPing on Meetup will not secure your spot for this event. You must follow the Registration Link to sign-up. Thank you!
Join us for a day of learning, fun, and community. The PATC Women’s Fall Trail Summit is a way to connect women and femme identifying folks to the outdoors while educating and promoting safe and responsible outdoor recreation. Presentations will include: Leave No Trace, Winter Hiking, Navigating/Orienteering, First Aid, and so much more.
The PATC Women’s Trail Summit is being held on Saturday October 7, 2023, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at Ironmaster Mansion, located in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Gardners, PA.
There will be a small fee to attend the summit. The fee includes breakfast/afternoon snacks and drinks along with a goody bag for each participant. The fee does not include lunch. Each participant will need to bring their own lunch. There is a small discount for PATC Members. No refunds will be given after September 29.
- PATC Members $10.00
- Non PATC Members $20.00
*** RSVPing on Meetup will not secure your spot for this event. You must follow the Registration Link to sign-up. Thank you!
Schedule of Events
8:30-9:00 Registration/Breakfast Snacks
9:00-9:30 Welcome
9:30-10:15 PA Trails- Holly Tritt, Keystone Trails Association
10:15-10:45 * AT Museums/ Hikes-Julie Queen
11:00-11:50 AT Museum Self-Guided Tour
12:00-1:00 Lunch
1:00-1:30 Leave No Trace Anna Shoemaker
1:30-2:00 Safety-Cynthia Russell
2:00-3:00 Group Hike
3:00-3:50 Hiking 101 (Winter)-Michele Cook & Kristine Villatoro
4:00-4:50 Navigating/Orienteering- Danielle DeHart
5:00-5:15 Closing - PATC Fall Open HouseBears Den, Bluemont, VA
Join us at Bears Den Lodge in Bluemont, VA for a day of family fun! The event will feature several demonstrations and activities, including autumn themed crafts, a pumpkin patch, live music, backpacking discussion, and cross-cutting saw demo. We will also be holding an Outdoor Gear Sale from 11AM-2PM. We look forward to seeing you there!
Visit our website for more info and updates.
This event is open to members and non-members and is free, and lunch will be on us.
