What we’re about
We're an adults-only group that walks and hikes in VA, DC, and MD. There are no event or membership fees.
Upcoming events (2)
See all- Free Entry Day at Prince William Forest ParkPrince William Forest Park, Triangle, VA
Let's enjoy a free entrance day at Prince William Forest Park!
❶ What we'll do:
- From the NE end of the Visitor Center parking lot (GPS 38.55988, -77.3479), we'll walk NNW through the Pine Grove Picnic Area, follow Laurel Loop Trail across South Fork Quantico Creek, and take South and North Valley Trails up Quantico Creek to the Quantico Cascades and return.
- The hike is out and back, about 5.4 miles with around 160 feet of elevation gain, and should take a little over 2 hours. The surface is dirt trails, often rooty, with occasional rocky patches. It may be muddy in places if there was rain on Tuesday evening. There are several footbridges and stretches of boardwalk. This is an easy to moderate difficulty hike.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/46r5e2zj
❷ How to get there: From I-95 S, take exit 150B to merge onto VA-619 W/Joplin Rd toward Prince William Forest Park. After 0.4 miles, turn right onto Park Entrance Rd. After 0.6 miles, take a left at the sign marked "Visitor Center Parking/Pine Grove Picnic Area." Turn right to park in the Visitor Center parking lot or, if that lot is full, continue straight to park in the Pine Grove Picnic Area parking lot. See https://goo.gl/maps/EMSzwL3CmE6776VD6
❸ What to bring: Plenty of water, comfy shoes with some tread on them, and your furry friend if desired. (Leashes, please.) Sunscreen and bug repellent are recommended.
❹ Cost: Free!! Normally there is a $20 per vehicle entrance fee, payable by credit/debit card, mobile payment app, or online through recreation.gov. 'America the Beautiful' Annual and Lifetime Passes may also be used. For more information, see https://www.nps.gov/prwi/planyourvisit/fees.htm
❺ Weather: The forecast is mostly sunny and a high of 93F (84-88F during our hike). Winds SW at 10 mph and a very slight chance of showers, with thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/2t9wesu8
❻ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
❼ Administrative stuff: There are two restrooms near our meetup point, one just west of the visitor center, and the other in the Pine Grove Picnic Area along our route.
❽ Notes:
- Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, VA 22172, https://www.nps.gov/prwi/index.htm
- Free Entrance Days in the National Parks: https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/fee-free-parks.htm
- Sunny Tromp: Cleveland Park, National Cathedral, Klingle TrailCleveland Park, Washington, DC
Saturday should finally be a non-rainy weekend day in this neck of the woods. It will a perfect day to tromp out of Cleveland Park up to the National Cathedral and back. The hike will combine glorious architecture, the most expensive neighborhood in DC, the least-known best trail in the city, and a shortcut through a park past the International School on to Macomb Street.
We have tweaked this route over the past few months and it is now an even more photogenic route. The featured photo is from a hike earlier this Spring.
There is an old-style Italian deli named Vace's a block from the hike start/finish point that has great pizzas by the slice.
❶ What we'll do:
- Let's meet at Noon at Cleveland Park Metro (on the TARGET side of Conn. Ave.) and proceed to the National Cathedral. From there, we will tromp down the Klingle Valley Trail and over to Macomb Street.
- Total hiking time should be slightly over 2 hours. The surface is mostly paved. After reaching the Cathedral, it's fairly level followed by a downhill jaunt to Rock Creek and uphill back to the Metro.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/y5jo2c4n
❷ How to get there:
- Metro: Cleveland Park Metro Station is on the Red Line.
- Driving: The street address is 3599 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC, and there is parallel parking available on surrounding streets:
○ From the north, along the I-495 Beltway, take the MD-185S / Connecticut Ave exit and drive south 5.1 miles on Connecticut Ave. The meetup location will be on your left.
○ From south of the Potomac, cross Arlington Memorial Bridge, turning right onto the ramp for Rock Creek Parkway/Kennedy Center. Merge onto Ohio St and turn left onto Rock Creek and Potomac Parkway NW, staying to your left onto Rock Creek Parkway/Shoreham Dr and continuing onto 24th St NW. Turn left onto Connecticut St NW and the meetup location at Cleveland Park Metro Station will be on your right, just past the zoo.
❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired. Dogs must be leashed at all times.
❹ Weather: The forecast is sunny and 90 degrees. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/3hh3cap8
❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms near Cleveland Park Metro at Target. The National Cathedral has accessible bathrooms as well.
