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

We will have lunch at the top at the Observation Tower also if you would like additional information on the hike here is a link that should help you.
http://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/KennedyPeak/

Now the warning: PLEASE DON’T SIGN UP FOR THIS HIKE UNLESS YOU’VE BEEN HIKING A LOT RECENTLY. This is not a beginner's hike, nor is it suitable for dogs. Bring plenty of beverages, lunch, sunscreen, bug spray and sturdy boots.

We will meet at 8:00 a.m. to form our carpool in the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot. We will promptly leave at 815.

In addition to your hiking gear and plenty of water, please bring $5 for the Adventuring Trip Fee and a $12 carpool fee for your driver.

Effective immediately, Adventuring will waive the $5 trip fee for any federal employee or contractor who has been furloughed during the current Shutdown. Trip participants will still have to pay their share of transportation costs.

Please click here to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release

For this expedition, we'll start at the Rosslyn Metro Station at 12 noon on Sunday December 7 at the North Moore Street exit (street level), by the buses.

We’ll first walk to Theodore Roosevelt Island and do the perimeter trail. We’ll use the sidewalk on the TR Bridge to access Rock Creek Park at the Kennedy Center and head northbound. We’ll pass the National Zoo on our way to the Pierce Mill area within Rock Creek Park, where bathrooms & water are available. We will then take the Reservation 630 trail westbound up to & across Connecticut Avenue to Reno Road. Local streets will then guide us back to Wisconsin Avenue and ultimately to the Tenleytown Metro Station, which we should reach around 4 p.m.

Beers and other refreshments may be procured at the Surfside Mexican Restaurant (https://surfsidedc.com/tenleytown-menu/) on Wisconsin Avenue after the walk.

This moderate walk will be about 9 1/2 miles, over a mixture of paved and dirt surfaces, with a slight uphill (1 or 2 %) incline. Bring beverages and snacks. Dress in layers. The only cost will be the $5 Adventuring trip fee, which will be waived for furloughed federal employees and contractors.

> Please click here to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.

Join us for a strenuous 8.5-mile circuit hike on Virginia's Massanutten Mountain immediately south of the New Market Gap, complete with a short aerobic workout and stupendous views.

The workout involves 1,600 feet of elevation change, almost all within the first mile or so. (That's Steep!) After our climb, the hard work will be behind us. The highlight of the hike will be the detour to the emerald pond, a popular swimming hole, but swimming during this visit is unlikely on the agenda.

Transportation and trip fees will be about $22 (17 for gas, $5 Adventuring fee). You'll need to bring plenty of water, a bag lunch, sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen and bug spray. We'll meet at the East Falls Church Kiss & Ride at 8:30am to form carpools. We'll make our usual pitstop to pick up any last minute snacks on the way to the trailhead.

Trip notes:
A. Please click here to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.

B. Strenuous hikes will challenge most hikers and are generally be longer in length and steeper. This hike includes rocky terrain on the trail.

D. RSVPs open 2 weeks ahead of the event and close at 7pm the day before the event to allow for logistical planning.

Our 3rd Annual DC Tree Hike is back to illuminate your dark December night! This year, we're embracing the Norwegian concept of 'friluftsliv', ("open-air life") - the love of the outdoors, despite the weather.

Join us for a easy 4.5-mile hike around Washington, DC. We'll visit tree displays at Union Station, the U.S. Capitol, the Canadian Embassy, the Ellipse and City Center DC to take in all the sights and sounds of the winter season along Pennsylvania Avenue.

We will start our hike outside of the Downtown Holiday Market adjacent to the National Portrait Gallery and Gallery Place Metro. Arrive early and enjoy the Downtown Holiday Market before the hike.

We'll gather at the Portrait Gallery stairs on 7th and F Streets NW (across from Capital One Arena) We'll depart promptly at 6:30pm and keep a steady walking pace to keep our toes and hearts warm. In the spirit of the holiday season, the trip fee for this hike is only $1.**(cash/electronic payments). RSVPs will open two weeks before the event.

Please click here to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.