About us
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DC UL Backpacking hosts an average of 80 backpacking events each year, specializing in high-mileage, lightweight backpacking trips throughout the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Our membership structure helps backpackers gain or enhance their outdoor skills. In general, our trips are quite challenging but you’ll find a wealth of experienced backpackers who are eager to share advice. Visit our website (www.dculbackpacking.com) to learn more about our group and our membership and trip ranks, and to read our FAQs.
Our goal: To cultivate a community of independent outdoorsmen and women who want nothing more than to have a fulfilling backcountry experience–to wake early, to walk far, and to travel light.
Join us. We look forward to meeting you!
When applying to join our group, make sure to fill out our questionnaire fully. We also require that your profile photo is of yourself.
*** Read our liability waiver (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/) and COVID-19 guidelines here: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/. ***
Upcoming events
8
MO W1: Catoctin Highlight Reel
Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station Kiss & Ride, Strathmore, Grosvenor, North Bethesda, MD, USThis route takes us by many scenic landmarks in northern Maryland: Annapolis Rocks, Black Rock, Raven Rock, Cunningham Falls, Cat Rock, Chimney Rock, and Wolf Rock. The splits will be 13.75/19.75
We will meet at the Grovesnor-Strathmore kiss and ride at 7:30am, and carpool to the trailhead about an hour away, I will arrange to set up the shuttle either beforehand or on our way. We will start from the Annapolis Rocks trailhead and hike north on the AT to raven Rock shelter, stopping to see Annapolis, Black, and Raven Rocks on our way. We will settle in a Raven Rocks shelter for the night. The shelter is quite large, and there are campsites available. The next morning, we will retrace our steps back to the last road and roadwalk 2.5 miles to make the jump from the AT to the Catoctin Mountain Trail. Once there, we will hike several miles to route 77, where our cars will be, and pass them to hike the loop to Cunningham Falls, Cat Rock, Chimney Rock, Wolf Rock, and Thurmont Vista, before returning to our shuttle vehicle back near the falls. For any members who are looking to become veteran members, day two is long enough for you to graduate! Anyone looking for a shorter second day may stop at the cars when we pass on route 77, making it a less than 10 mile day.
This is a W1 trip, so be prepared for winter conditions. We will monitor the weather as it gets closer.By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to these guidelines and to DC UL's waiver liability terms (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/).
COVID-19 policy: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/
Carpool: our policy is 10 cents per mile.
Dues: Members and above, don't forget to pay your annual dues. You can check if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.)
caltopo: https://caltopo.com/m/3BAR07K
10 attendees
MO W1: Assateague (28 miles)
Location not specified yetLet's go backpacking on a barrier island! I have wanted to do this trip since I missed it last year.
--- below mostly copied from last time---
Assateague Island is a 37-mile long barrier island. It is known for its undeveloped beaches, wild horses, waterfowl, and the Assateague Lighthouse.This stretch of beach walking is some of the most pristine anywhere, at times veering into an almost meditative quality as you walk along the sand. And, oddly, even though it is essentially flat and a straight line, walking in sand is not exactly easy. You'll find yourself aiming for firm footing, and your feet (and everything else) will be sandy. Best to avoid heavy footwear here.
Caveat; I've never done this trail before
Trip rank is MO W1. I will keep "W1" for now. Temperatures may be below freezing at times, perhaps down to the teens. You can read more about trip ranks here.
Plan (Updated 1/21)
Here's what got so far (special thanks to Andrew for tips):We are planning to do a key swap shuttle. Looks like we have enough drivers at this point. I will rent a car if necessary.
For now we'll assume all of the DC based car pool crew will meet at the Greenbelt Metro Station at ~7:45-8am. This may likely change as we figure out car pool configurations closer to the hike.
All drivers will then meet at Maryland District Ranger Station/Campground Office. We need the entire group assembled here before noon to pull the permit.
- Located in the Maryland District of Assateague Island on west side of Bayberry Drive, after the entrance station. The GPS address is 6633 Bayberry Drive, Berlin, Maryland 21811.- https://maps.app.goo.gl/k5JNnJBgsP2Q1jUFA
We'll get our permits,
- Note that the park service won't issue the permit in case of bad weather. Will call if it seems necessary.Half group will stay and start in MD (SOBOs). The other half of hikers will go to the VA side (NOBOs, preferably the faster hikers).
We can do the swapped leg up front. After pulling the permit, NOBOs will drive SOBOs’ cars to the VA southern terminus to stage them. When the groups meet at the campsite, we’ll swap keys. That way each person finishes at their terminus with their own car + keys.
Parking:
- For those starting in Maryland, park at North Beach (not far from ranger station);
- For those starting in Virginia, go to Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center. Staff will provide parking information. Vehicles must display parking tag obtained with permit. https://maps.app.goo.gl/scc77myoRAD5nBzM8- Side note: Tom's Cover visitor center in VA is permanently closed (Nov 2025). Will be demolished
We'll do splits of about 14 / 14. There is no freshwater on the island so plan to start will all the water you'll need for the trip. Depending on wind, we'll either camp at Stateline (on the beach side) or Pope Bay (on the bay side). Expect the camp ground to be sand.
Resources
Caltopo TBD (this is 99% walking in a straight line but I'll probably still make one)Locations:
Greenbelt Metro
Ranger Station for Permit and MD Parking
Herbert H. Bateman Educational and Administrative Center (for those starting in VA)Past trips:
- https://dculbackpacking.com/2022/03/29/trip-report-hiking-on-the-beach-in-winter-assateague/
- https://www.meetup.com/dc-ul-backpacking/events/304254668/?eventOrigin=group_events_listFrom NPS:
- https://www.nps.gov/asis/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htmThe Fine Print
- By RSVPing to this trip or any other DC UL trip, you agree to DC UL's liability waiver terms. (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver)
- If you are a member, don't forget to pay your annual $10 dues. You can check to see if you need to pay dues by seeing if the current year is listed next to your name in your DC UL profile. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip with the group. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/JenniferAdach/15
- All non-drivers should expect to pay $0.10 per mile to their driver, in accordance with the DC UL carpool policy.
15 attendees- $119.00
Social: Blackwater Falls Winter Weekend
Blackwater Falls State Park, 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd, Davis, WV, USIf it is February, then it is time for our annual trip to West Virginia! This is our traditional trip with a few updates—but it is still a guaranteed good time with opportunities to socialize with other members of the group and enjoy the fabulous cabins at Blackwater Falls State Park.
- Friday: Arrive at Blackwater State Park (http://www.blackwaterfalls.com/cabins.htm) in W. Va. Check in, meet your cabinmates. Dinner on your own.
- Saturday: Outdoor adventure fun! If there’s good snow, cross-country skiing at Whitegrass (http://www.whitegrass.com/) will definitely be on the agenda. Other opportunities include downhill skiing at Timberline and Canaan Valley; hiking in Blackwater Falls or Dolly Sods; or perfecting your board game strategies. If you're interested in a particular activity, use the comments to connect with other attendees. Saturday night will feature our traditional potluck party.
- Sunday: Check-out is at 10 a.m.
Fees
- For $119 per person, you’ll get two nights in the deluxe cabins at Blackwater Falls.
- If you are an Assistant Organizer who has organized at least one trip in 2025 by the time of your RSVP, you are eligible for a discounted rate of $99.
If you opt for skiing, additional costs could include ski rentals, day-use fee, food, and rider fees.
We have three cabins so there will be 24 spots. Each cabin has space for space for eight people: two rooms with queen beds and two rooms with twin beds.
All rooms will be shared. If you'd like to guarantee a room for yourself (no roommate), you can reserve one for $209 for the weekend, subject to availability.
How do you sign up?
Send Jen your payment via PayPal (http://paypal.me/JenniferAdach)--please use the pay friends/family option to avoid fees being taken out. Once we have your payment, your spot is confirmed. If I do not have payment from you within two weeks of your RSVP, you will be moved to the waitlist. There will be no refunds, but you can transfer your spot to another person. There usually is interest, and I can help you connect with people.By RSVPing for this trip, you acknowledge that you’ve read our COVID-19 guidelines (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/) and that you agree to DC UL's liability waiver terms. (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver)
24 attendees
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