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 (3)
See all- Brookside GardensBrookside Botanical Gardens, Silver Spring, MD
Let’s enjoy a walk in beautiful Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Park!
❶ What we'll do:
- From the parking lot of Brookside Gardens, we'll walk east into the gardens and spend around 45 minutes of pleasant wandering through the garden paths and fountains. Departing the gardens, we'll pick up the pace and enjoy a walk through the woodland paths of Wheaton Regional Park.
- The walk is a modified loop of about 4.6 miles. The surface is mostly paved, with some gravel and dirt paths here and there, and only slight changes in elevation. We should be finished in around two hours. This is an easy hike.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/4x4jy79p
❷ How to get there: From the I-495 beltway north of Washington DC between I-270 and I-95 (either direction), take exit 31A to follow MD-97/Georgia Ave toward Silver Spring/Wheaton. Follow signs for MD-97 N/Georgia Ave and drive north about 3.2 miles. Turn right onto Randolph Road, and take the second right onto Glenallan Avenue. Brookside Gardens will be on your right at Heurich Road. (Follow signs to the Visitor Center.) See https://goo.gl/maps/WHERgb5tyJ12
NB: Be on the lookout for speed cameras, especially along Randolph Road!
❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes. Sorry, only service animals are allowed in Brookside Gardens, so your furry friend must stay home. A light jacket and sunscreen are recommended. It's early, but insect repellent may be handy.
❹ Weather: The forecast is cloudy and a high of 69F, with a 24% chance of showers at start, falling to 14% at finish. No accumulation expected. SE winds at 7-8 mph. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/yaewwwbt
❺ Advisories:
- 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.
- Please review Brookside Garden's Etiquette page for a list of do's and don'ts: https://tinyurl.com/2cjht3h6
❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, the Conservatory, the Nature Center, and just north of the carousel in Wheaton Regional Park.
❼ Notes:
- Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902. http://tinyurl.com/gqxstyb
H/T to Abby for the event photo!
- Claude Moore ParkClaude Moore Park Visitors Center, Sterling, VA
Let's explore Claude Moore Park and Old Vestal's Gap Road!
Claude Moore Park is located on portions of two land grands made by Lord Fairfax in 1729, and preserves a section of the Vestal's Gap (now Keyes Gap) Road. The road was originally a Native American Indian hunting and trading trail, and by 1692 it had become a colonial wagon road from Alexandria to the Old Northwest. Settlement of the local area began in 1722, resulting in a thriving inn (Lanesville Ordinary), post office, and school. A portion of General Braddock's army marched along this road 269 years ago on April 28, 1755, on its way from Alexandria to its disastrous defeat on the Monongahela River during the French and Indian War. Improved wagons and the opening of the Leesburg Turnpike in 1825 eliminated all but local traffic from Vestal's Gap Road. Fortunately, at Claude Moore Park, we can still see the traces of the Vestal’s Gap Road and the preserved buildings of the Lanesville Historic Area.
❶ What we'll do:
- From the Visitor Center, we'll walk east along the Old Vestal's Gap Road to the park boundary, where we'll turn left and make a counter-clockwise loop around the north side of the park, passing by the site of the Civil War Guildford Signal Station along the way.
- After a short break at the Visitor Center, we'll head west on the Old Vestal's Gap Road, turn left, and make a counter-clockwise loop around the south side of the park, arriving at the Wildlife Pond and the Lanesville Historic Area. From there it's a short walk back to the Visitor Center to complete the hike.
- The hike is about 4.1 miles along a colonial wagon trail trace and woodland paths and should take around 2 hours, including time for breaks. Apart from a slight uphill climb to the Civil War Guildford Signal Station, it's fairly level, shady, and easy going.
- Google map: https://tinyurl.com/ybvahl36
❷ How to get there: From the I-495 Capital Beltway, take exit 47A/B for VA-7W/Leesburg Pike. Continue straight along VA-7W/Leesburg Pike for 10.6 miles and turn left on VA-637/Potomac View Rd. Follow VA-637/Potomac View Rd for 1 mile and turn left onto VA-1794/Cascades Pkwy. The park entrance is the first turn on your left. See https://goo.gl/maps/mzmS5RJXHoMkbnfr5
❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes and your furry friend if desired (leashes, please). Sunscreen and insect repellent are recommended.
❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 82F, with 8-9 mph SSE winds and a slight (1-7%) chance of showers. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/yc8de7a3
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 and drinking fountains at the Visitor Center.
❼ Notes:
- Claude Moore Visitor Center, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Rd, Sterling, VA 20164, (571) 258-3700, https://www.loudoun.gov/claudemoorepark
- Park trail map (pdf): https://tinyurl.com/y3u5td6v
- Cleveland Park, Woodley Park, Embassy Row, National CathedralCleveland Park, Washington, DC
Forecast is for 81 degrees and sunny on Sunday - ideal weather for traipsing through overpriced neighborhoods with glorious flowers and plenty of ambience. There will be scenic architecture, embassies, and a Cathedral.
We start ten minutes after the listed start time.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 towards Embassy Row. From there, we will cut over to the National Cathedral and then circle back to Cleveland Park.
- Total hiking time should be around 2 hours. The surface is mostly paved.
- Google map https://maps.app.goo.gl/y9R3hHXrJCchEh2T8
- Route is slightly longer than indicated on the map because it didn't include the return down Connecticut Ave.
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. Sunscreen and cool shades are recommended.
❹ Weather: The forecast is sunny and 81 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.