About us
** NEW! SHOP CHC GEAR!!! **
Come ride our bus to day-hike adventures at the region's many beautiful outdoor destinations! Experience the trails 52 weeks a year with Capital Hiking Club, a non-profit group that's been operating since 1937, welcoming the public to join us on all hikes. We specialize in hiking options that challenge a range of skill levels and fulfill the varied interests of our hikers. Saturday weekly hikes: Long hikes averaging 9-12 miles and shorter hikes averaging 6-9 miles, plus social time with post-hike refreshments. The Club's chartered bus starts picking up hikers near 17th and K Streets (Farragut Square) in downtown DC and makes more pick-up stops in either VA or MD (depending on the destination) for most Saturday hikes. Occasional trailhead or carpool hikes are offered. We also lead moonlight hikes on the C&O Canal Towpath as well as full-moon hikes downtown.
*** Find the complete quarter's hiking schedule by going to www.capitalhikingclub.org ***
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CAPITAL HIKING CLUB MISSION STATEMENT
To provide the Washington, DC metropolitan area with safe, quality hiking and outdoor activities, and to promote fellowship, the sport of hiking, and love and respect for natural environments.
Our values are:
Safety – to ensure that all Club activities are conducted in the safest possible manner
Inclusion – to welcome persons interested in the sport of hiking without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic circumstance
Accessibility – to provide hiking opportunities in the Washington, DC area, within reach by public transportation to the extent possible
Preservation – to promote love and respect for, and preservation of, natural environments
Community – to foster fellowship among those who take part in the Club's activities
Volunteerism – to develop a core group who support the Club by such means as leading hikes, serving on committees and the Executive Board, and assisting with other necessary tasks
Longevity – to employ sound management and financial principles to ensure the continued existence of the Capital Hiking Club as a going concern
Upcoming events
6
- $36.00
Hike: SNP: Hawksbill/Stony Man, VA
17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USPATC Map 10 / VA Bus
$36 plus park fee or pass. Long: 11½ mi., 2,750 ft. ascent. Moderate hike: 9 mi., 1,500 ft. ascent.
This hike will include the overlook at Hawksbill, the highest mountain in the entire park, and moderate hikers will also experience the equally breathtaking view at Stony Man. All hikers will ascend from the Upper Hawksbill parking area to Hawksbill via the Upper Hawksbill and Salamander Trails, after which they will descend to the Appalachian Trail. Moderate hikers will continue along the AT to the parking area just past Little Stony Man Overlook. Long hikers will take a loop along the White Oak Canyon fire road, Meadows Horse Trail, Old Rag fire road, Corbin Mountain Trail, Indian Run Trail, and Nicholson Hollow Trail to rejoin the AT and from there proceed to the parking area.
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RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.BUS STOPS: VIRGINIA ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Vienna bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- VIENNA METRO: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Note: There is a "south" parking lot where there are also bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of hikers who say they're Capital Hiking Club, you're likely at the south lot. There's a walkway over I-66 to the north lot.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
10 attendees - $36.00
Hike: Conestoga Trail, PA
17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USPark Map / MD Bus
$36. Long hike: 9½ mi., 2800 ft. ascent. Moderate hike: 7 mi., 2300 ft. ascent.
This hike will take us along the challenging but beautiful River Hills section of the Conestoga Trail along the eastern bank of the Susquehanna River. Moderate hikers start at the Tucquan Glen Trail junction at River Road (PA 3017). Following the Glen downstream for 2 miles, they turn left on the Conestoga Trail and ascend The Pinnacles with its panoramic view of the Susquehanna River. Descending the Conestoga to Kelly’s Run, they follow Kelly’s Run Trail to the Holtwood Arboretum. Long hikers start at the Pequea Campground and follow the Conestoga Trail down Pequea Creek to the Susquehanna, where they turn south (downstream) past the famous Wind Cave (the largest tectonic cave in Pennsylvania) to Tucquan Glen. They then follow the moderate route on the Conestoga to The Pinnacles and up Kelly’s Run.
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RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!
Because this is a paid event, we cannot offer a waitlist should the hike fill up. If spots subsequently open up, they will become immediately available to anyone and everyone.FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.BUS STOPS: MARYLAND ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Grosvenor bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Connecticut Ave. and Porter St,, NW, northeast corner. Bus briefly stops at the curb in front of the Broadmoor Apartments to pick up hikers about 8:10 a.m.
- Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St., NW, southeast corner. Bus stops at the bus shelter in front of the Safeway to pick up hikers about 8:20 a.m.
- Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, North Bethesda. Bus stops at the bus shelter nearest to Metro Station walkway entrance between the station and the parking garage about 8:30 a.m.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
for answers to questions such as these and many more:- What should I bring on a hike?
- Can things be left on the bus during the hike?
- When will the bus return to the metro Washington DC area?
- Can I drive my car and meet the bus at the hike destination?
- Are dogs allowed on hikes?
2 attendees - $36.00
Hike: Greenway Trail, Seneca Creek State Park, MD
17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USPark Map / MD Bus
$36. Long hike: 12 mi., 1300 ft. ascent. Moderate hike: 9 mi., 1100 ft. ascent.
It’ll be hard to believe you’re in Montgomery County – the suburbs of Washington, no less – on this autumn winner in Seneca Creek State Park. Our hike, much of it in forest, starts at Black Rock Mill and heads east on the Seneca Ridge, Greenway and Long Draught Trails. Near Clopper Lake, moderate hikers take the Great Seneca and Old Pond Trails to the Visitors Center. Long hikers add a circuit around Clopper Lake on the Lake Shore Trail, then follow the moderate hikers to the Visitors Center.
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RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!
Because this is a paid event, we cannot offer a waitlist should the hike fill up. If spots subsequently open up, they will become immediately available to anyone and everyone.FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.BUS STOPS: MARYLAND ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Grosvenor bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- Connecticut Ave. and Porter St,, NW, northeast corner. Bus briefly stops at the curb in front of the Broadmoor Apartments to pick up hikers about 8:10 a.m.
- Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St., NW, southeast corner. Bus stops at the bus shelter in front of the Safeway to pick up hikers about 8:20 a.m.
- Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, North Bethesda. Bus stops at the bus shelter nearest to Metro Station walkway entrance between the station and the parking garage about 8:30 a.m.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
for answers to questions such as these and many more:- What should I bring on a hike?
- Can things be left on the bus during the hike?
- When will the bus return to the metro Washington DC area?
- Can I drive my car and meet the bus at the hike destination?
- Are dogs allowed on hikes?
2 attendees
Past events
845
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