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.
Upcoming events
12
Raise the Roof at Bears Den – Celebrate and Support the A.T. Community!
Location not specified yetJoin us Dec. 6 at Bears Den Trail Center Lodge to preserve a beloved Appalachian Trail landmark.
The Loudoun Appalachian Trail Association invites you to Raise the Roof at Bears Den, an afternoon of food, drinks, live music, and trail camaraderie—all to support renovations of the historic Bears Den Trail Center Lodge.
Built in 1933 of local stone and perched high above the Shenandoah Valley, the Bears Den lodge has long been a home-away-from-home for Appalachian Trail hikers. Just steps from the famed “Roller Coaster” section of the A.T., the lodge welcomes thousands of hikers and visitors each year.
All proceeds from the event go toward preserving the building and enhancing services for hikers and guests. This event will be held indoors in the lodge.
Event Details:
📅 Saturday, December 6 • 2–5 PM
📍 Bears Den Trail Center Lodge, Bluemont, VA
🎶 Live music by Karma Creak • 🍲 Food & drinks • 🎟️ Auction & raffle • Trail talks & displays
💚 Suggested donation: $20 and up | Sponsors: $100+
🎟️ RSVP / Tickets: EventBrite »
🌐 More info: bearsdencenter.org | 📞 Glen Breining – 540.554.8708
If you can’t attend, please consider donating to help preserve this iconic stop along the Appalachian Trail. Together, we’ll keep Bears Den a welcoming haven for generations of hikers.15 attendees
Great Falls National Park, MARYLAND: Historic Gold Mine 6-Mile Hike
Great Falls MD Parking Lot, 11710 Macarthur Blvd, Potomac, MD, USGreat Falls National Park, MARYLAND: Historic Gold Mine 6-Mile Hike
Great Falls National Park in Maryland offers breathtaking river vistas as well as a history tied to the remnants of a gold mining enterprise. This loop hike provides a blend of natural beauty and local lore, guiding hikers through forested trails, historic sites, and the iconic overlook of Great Falls.
The story of gold mining at Great Falls begins during the Civil War. A Union soldier stationed along the Maryland side of the Potomac River near Great Falls noticed a glint of gold in the rocks. After the war ended, he returned to the area, purchased farmland, and began prospecting for gold. His discovery sparked interest among others, leading to the opening of approximately 30 small mines by various prospectors. The Maryland Mine became one of the most prominent operations, though ultimately, little gold was found, and the mines were abandoned. Today, only remnants of these ambitious ventures remain, adding a layer of historical intrigue to the park's landscape.
This loop trail begins at the Great Falls National Park Visitors Center, Maryland. The trail first climbs to several high vantage points, providing panoramic views of the Potomac River as it winds through rugged terrain. It then takes hikers past the remains of one of the historic gold mines, offering a glimpse into the area's unique past. After exploring the mine site, the hike continues thru forested areas eventually leading to the classic overlook of Great Falls before looping back to the Visitors Center.
Please note: You must sign up by 9:00 PM the night 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 39.000740, -77.248008
The entrance to the park is at the intersection of Falls Road and MacArthur Blvd in Potomac, MD. Upon entering the park, take the road to its end and you will arrive at the parking lot. We meet at the Visitors Center.
Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Christa; 410-610-6254. Call or text as needed.
Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 590 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead
Fees: There is a $20 entrance fee. A National Parks pass is also accepted,
Cancellation:
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
Appalachian Trail Stories with authors Mills Kelly and Dave Pruett
Scrawl Books, 11862 Market Street, Reston, VA, USRSVP Here: https://scrawlbooks.com/events/4096320251207
#### Appalachian Trail Stories with authors Mills Kelly and Dave Pruett
Scrawl Books, Reston, VA
Sunday Dec 7th, 2025
4:00 PM
A Hiker's History of the Appalachian Trail tells the story from the top down, focusing on who proposed the trail, who built it, who maintain it, and on a few of the most famous hikers. A Hiker’s History of Appalachian Trail tells the trail’s history from the boots up. Working with trail shelter logbooks, hiker accounts, newspaper and magazine stories about the experiences of casual hikers, Mills Kelly reveals what it was like to hike the trail from the late 1920s until the 2020s.
He'll be joined in conversation by Dave Pruett, author of Hiking the AT in the Virginias.
Mills Kelly is a Professor of History at George Mason University and Senior Scholar at the award-winning Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media.
Dave Pruett is a long-term resident of the Shenandoah Valley who, following his semi-retirement in 2012, section-hiked the entire AT through the Virginias over nine summers, completing it in 2023 at age seventy-five. Pruett previously worked in the aerospace industry at NASA Langley Research Center and taught mathematics and computational science at Virginia Commonwealth University, the College of William and Mary, and James Madison University. His first book, Reason and Wonder received a Choice Award from the American Library Association.8 attendees
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