Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club

This is a 9-mile circuit hike in the George Washington National Forest with around 1,500 feet of elevation gain.

We will start the hike in the parking lot of the Stephens trail off Route 675 from Fort Valley Drive (route 678) past Front Royal, Virginia. The hike will start on the Stephens Trail and then connect to the Massanutten Trail close to the ridgeline overlooking the Shenandoah River.

Once we arrive on the Massanutten Trail, we will hike out towards the observation tower in about one mile, have lunch, and then return to the car using the Massanutten trail.

This definitely is not a hike where we will race through it because safety is a concern and making sure our fellow hikers enjoy the experience is important.

Pace 2-2.5 mph if this speed is not conducive to your hiking level please know that I do not hike any slower or faster than this pace so please consider another hike. I also take frequent stops and breaks going up hills.
PLEASE PRINT OUT ANY MAPS THAT YOU THINK YOU MAY NEED AS I DO NOT PROVIDE COPIES OF MAPS. ALL THE LINKS AND COORDINATES YOU WILL NEED ARE BELOW.

Note: Smart phones will not give you the complete map and will end at the Sheetz! You can plot the coordinate below.

We will stop at the Sheetz on your way (Sheetz, 15315 Washington St, Haymarket, VA 20169) the distance is about 154 miles round trip to the parking lot.

If you are meeting us at the trailhead please be there by 915 am.
The GPS coordinates to the trailhead are 38.72761, -78.51611 https://maps.app.goo.gl/QeFDSJf3oRYjvfMC7

Here's one way to enjoy the legendary fall colors in Shenandoah National Park without having to endure the equally-legendary traffic jams on Skyline Drive during peak color season. We'll start at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Washington, VA (a.k.a. "Little Washington"). We'll climb steadily but not too steeply on an old road to follow the Bluff Trail to the Big Devils Stairs overlook where we'll lunch and Dynamically Lollygag(tm) in all of fall's glory.

Total length of our moderately strenuous round-trip hike should be about 9 miles, with 2000 feet of cumulative elevation gain. A moderately strenuous hike will generally be challenging for an unconditioned person.

Bring beverages, lunch, bug spray and about $23 for transportation and trip fees. ($5 for the Adventuring trip fee, $10 for mileage reimbursement, and a shared portion of the $30/car SNP admission fee. (We can usually cover the Park’s admission fee with those hikers who hold annual park passes.)

We'll meet at the East Falls Church Metro Station Kiss & Ride lot at the usually early time of 8:30 am in hopes of getting a jump on leaf-peeping traffic. On the way, we'll make our standard pit stop at a Sheetz to stock up on lunch and/or snacks before heading to the trailhead. There may be an optional dinner stop on the way home.

(This trip has been postponed from October 12 because of an ill-timed nor'easter.)

Starting from the King Street Metro Station at 11 a.m. on Sunday October 19, we'll first stroll down historic Duke Street. We'll eventually switch over to Wilkes Street so we can walk through the historic railroad tunnel to reach the waterfront. Union Street will then guide us towards Jones Point Park. Here we can use the luxurious rest facilities beneath the Wilson Bridge before lunching at the Lighthouse next to the Southern Boundary Marker for the District of Columbia.

After lunch we'll stroll across the Wilson Bridge into Maryland. Once we arrive we can linger at National Harbor for as much or as little as we want before returning. You could take a water taxi back to the Alexandria Waterfront; fares are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors. From the Alexandria Waterfront you can walk up a few blocks to Market Square and take the free King Street Trolley to the Metro. Or you can take Metrobus directly back to the Metro station from National Harbor. The newly-redesignated P90 bus leaves from St. George Boulevard & Waterfront Street at 27 and 57 minutes past the hour.

Total length of this easy one-way hike is less than six miles, with virtually no elevation change. We'll meet at 11 a.m. on Sunday morning the 19th inside the King Street Metro near the buses by the station manager's kiosk. Bring beverages, lunch, bug spray and the $5 trip fee; Venmo is accepted.

This is a demanding hike in the beautiful southern reaches of Shenandoah National Park. We stand a good chance of seeing a magnificent fall color display.

We’ll avoid the Parking Lot sometimes known as Skyline Drive entirely and start this trek at the western foot of the Blue Ridge. First we'll ascend Trayfoot Mountain, a long incline including an almost pure stand of witch-hazel and punctuated by some outstanding scenic overlooks. At the top we’ll reach the spectacular rock outcrop known as Blackrock Pinnacle, where we’ll Lollygag Dynamically™ no little time while inhaling vast panoramas. The top of Blackrock provides a breathtaking 360 degree view of the surrounding mountains and is reached with a short scramble.

After lunch at Blackrock, and a brief stroll down the Appalachian Trail, most of our descent will be on the Paine Run Trail, which will allow us to ford more than one of its various slippery stream crossings. (Wardrobe hint: Leave a pair of dry socks and street shoes in the car.)

Total length of this strenuous circuit hike is 9.5 miles, with 2200 feet of elevation gain. Bring beverages, lunch, sturdy boots, and bug spray. There will be a brief Sheetz stop about halfway to the trailhead for last minute supplies. Also, we plan to stop for a meal on the way back; expect a late return, possibly 9 p.m. or later. (Please contact the trip leader if you plan to meet at the trailhead.)

NOTE: Attendance on this trip must be limited to 12 because of limited trail head parking. Please be experienced and aerobically fit because of the elevation gain. If you RSVP, please be sure to reverse your RSVP status if you have to back out. Costs will include a transportation fee of about $20 for your driver if you carpool, a $5 trip fee for Adventuring, and your food bill.