Adventuring LGBTQ+ Outdoors Club

Sky Meadows State Park is beautifully situated on the eastern slopes of the Blue Ridge north of Shenandoah National Park in Delaplane, VA. It also has the advantage of being only about an hour's drive from our meeting place at East Falls Church Metro station. This moderate, 7-mile long circuit hike will take us through a mix of meadows and forest. There will be about 1300 feet of elevation gain and some nice views. The Park also features several historic buildings and ruins from the days when this was a thriving farm. We will see lots of pawpaw trees but finding any fruit will be a challenge since weather in our area earlier this year harmed fruit production.

Meet at 8:30 AM on Saturday September 26 at the East Falls Church Metro Station Kiss 'n Ride lot (turn right as you exit the station). Bring plenty of water, lunch, bug spray, sunscreen and $8 to cover the cost of transportation (if you're a carpool passenger), $5 trip fee, and a few dollars for the park entrance and parking fee ($10 divided among the occupants of each car).

Join us for a scenic 6-mile hike through Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, a hidden gem tucked away in the foothills of Northern Virginia. The preserve spans over 2,500 acres in Prince William and Fauquier Counties. We’ll combine several wooded loops featuring peaceful forests, rocky ridges, historic ruins, and plenty of beautiful scenery along the way. It’s a great chance to enjoy a fun, moderately challenging hike close to home and spend a few hours exploring one of the region’s lesser-known natural treasures. This is a perfect hike for those who may have plans later in the day as we'll be back by mid-afternoon.

Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring a daypack with snacks and water (there’s no water available at the preserve). Please note that the preserve does not permit dogs on the property.

The cost for this trip is the $5 Adventuring fee (cash or Venmo), plus $5 for your driver if you participate in the carpool.

We will depart from the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot at 9:00 a.m. Due to the shorter drive, there won't be a pit stop on the way out. For anyone meeting the group at the trailhead, we will plan to convene and start hiking at 9:45. After the hike, there will be an optional stop for lunch and beverages at the nearby The Farm Brewery at Broad Run. We should be back at East Falls Church by around 3:00.

Join Adventuring for an early fall trip to Mason Neck State Park near Lorton, Virginia. We'll spend a few hours traversing the approximately 7 miles of looping trails around Mason Neck’s natural surroundings, with plenty of opportunities to take in the views, wildlife, and enjoy the meadows and marshland. After the hike, we'll head for refreshments and snacks at Bunnyman Brewing. (optional)

Bring beverages, lunch, sturdy shoes, and about $15 for transportation, park entrance fee, and Adventuring trip fee. We'll meet and form carpools from the Huntington Metro's Southside Kiss & Ride, located off Kings Highway at 9am. RSVPs open 2 weeks before the event.

disclaimer: the text above must have come from AI; I had nothing to do with it, although I can't quibble with any of it-- RH

Indian Summer in Canyon Country

RSVP Prerequisites
(1) At the time of RSVP, participants must have already completed at least four Adventuring events (hikes and/or social gatherings) in the past year

(2) Must be fit enough for moderately strenuous hiking (our hikes could range up to 8-10 miles, with up to 2,000 feet of elevation gain)

(3) A $200 deposit will be required to secure your spot on the trip

Trip Details

We'll spend the week in Moab, UT-- with six days of hiking in Arches, Canyonlands, and the surrounding "canyon country". We'll spend a day up in the nearby La Sal Mountains. Optional activities if anyone wants a break from hiking include mountain biking, riding ATV’s, or float trips on the Colorado River.

The landscape here is multi-colored, multi-layered sandstone, sculpted by wind and water into astonishing forms-- mesas and buttes, towers and fins, arches and domes. We'll hike through scenic canyons and look out on vast vistas.

The hiking will not involve major elevation change but will require some scrambling over sandstone domes, ledges, and cracks. We’ll have a variety of short, medium and long hikes, mostly in the sun, but the temperatures at this time of year should be pleasant.

Vegetation is sparse, but our timing should be good to see the bright yellow of the cottonwoods in the canyon bottoms and the aspen up in the mountains. This area was inhabited until the 1200's by the Pre-Puebloan people (formerly known as the "Anasazi"); we'll see some of their petroglyph panels and ruins.

We’ll all stay in a big house together, sharing the cooking and kitchen duty, and riding to our hikes each day in the group cars. Couples will have their own rooms. Singles will have their own beds, probably in a shared bunk room.

Participants will share equally in the cost of the lodging, the rental cars and gas, the shared groceries and beverages, and any other group costs. Estimated at $1,200-1,600 each, all-in, for the week, plus participants will be responsible for their own travel costs to Moab, UT and back.

Limited to 7-10 participants (depends on how many couples sign up).