DC/MD/VA/WV Adventures

This Zoom Overseas Q & A is a monthly event.

Seneca Creek - Backpacking
(Event will go rain-Shine or snow)

A hiker’s paradise, Spruce Knob has amazing views and is home to one of the 5 best backpacking routes in the mid-Atlantic.

Seneca Creek route is a 10 mile easy loop, almost flat ground whit no elevation hike located in West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest. On this trail you’ll get to experience a little bit of everything.
There’s beautiful streams and waterfalls, high mountain meadows.
We will move in as soon we arrive (mid day) getting to camp area around 3-4 pm, go for a swim to refresh and come back to eat something.

With so many options, the Spruce Knob-Seneca Rocks Recreation Area can be as challenging or easy as you want, trails that zigzag all through the valley and along the mountaintop, and they have various lengths and degrees of difficulty.

The trails that zigzag through the park below, some of which lead to this summit, venture through meadows, along mountainsides, into dense spruce forests, and along rocky ridges. Here, rhododendron and blueberry flourish, creating a colorful canvas through spring, and in the fall, the forest erupts in fiery hues in every direction.

We will star our day at Seneca Creek lower parking lot and walk our way down to one of the most beautiful waterfall on the area where we will spend the rest of our first day on the wild arriving to this area between 4pm.
Next day early in the morning we will star our way back arriving to our cars around mid day, from there we will drive for 30-45 minutes more or less to The Sinks of Gandy cave where we will walk thought whit the help of our headlamps.

The Sinks of Gandy - Day Hike cave is truly a diamond in the rough,
Sinks Gandy Creek travels some 3,000 feet through the sinks as it passes under a spur of Yokum Knob, a summit in the Allegheny Mountains. Its upstream entrance is about 30 feet wide and 15 feet high. The tunnel is principally a single long passage from 4 to 35 feet high with a few minor side-passages. The main passage averages 40 to 60 feet wide though in some places opens to nearly 100 feet wide. In many places the creek fills the entire floor of the passage and in others is confined to a narrow trench. Its downstream entrance is offset by about 100 feet to the east of the creek's channel, which exits through boulders.
Water shoes are a must have.

After exiting the cave we will head back home, this will take most of the day so be aware that arriving home late evening is a high provability, plan accordingly.

Meeting area: We all will meet at Vienna Metro Station Friday at 7:30pm and soon be on the move so try to be there on time, or a camping area
Friday camp: Princess Snowbird Campground
Walk in, no reservation require - Private paid area - Bring cash
GPS exactly location coordinates: 38.835594, -79.378526
NOTE: No cellphone signal on the area.

Gear list:
1.) Tent
2.) Sleeping bag
3.) Sleeping pad
4.) 2 pieces rain suit or poncho
5.) 2-3 Extra pair of socks.
6.) Backpacking stove + pot/cup/dish/spoon
7.) Dehydrate food for your self.
8.) Camel bag/bottle or similar for drinking water.
9.) Snacks/sandwich/power bars or equivalent, etc.
10.) Water - Saturday and Sunday we will refuel from a stream
11.) Head lamp + extra batteries
12.) Water shoes + small towel
13.) Bug spry
14.) Full extra set of cloths to change when we come out of the cave, we will be a bit dirty and somehow wet.
15.) 1-2 trash bags to put your muddle clothes on (This specially apply to car riders)

Our Meetup group is off on another thrilling hiking adventure to exotic faraway lands! This time, we are trekking in Jordan, where breathtaking views of sandstone cliffs, narrow gorges, and vast plains unfold against the backdrop of the Great Rift Valley.

The Dana to Petra trek, also known as the Dana Wadi Trail, is one of Jordan's most renowned hiking experiences. It takes us through a diverse range of landscapes, offering a mix of natural beauty, historical significance, and cultural encounters.

The trek begins from Dana village, a charming and ancient small town, known for its stone houses and traditional architecture. It is located in Jordan's largest nature reserve - Dana, which also gives the name of the trek. The Dana Trail spans a variety of ecosystems, from lush woodlands to arid desert.

In addition to the amazing hiking experience, our Meetup trip provides a unique cultural exposure. We will have the opportunity to interact with local Bedouin communities and even stay in a Bedouin camp, experiencing their hospitality, traditional food, and way of life.

The trek culminates in the ancient city of Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Entering Petra from the "backdoor" via the Monastery (Ad Deir) is a unique experience, offering a less crowded approach to this iconic archaeological site.

The actual trek from Dana to Petra covers approximately 50 miles and it will take us 6 days. The trek is considered moderately challenging, with some sections requiring good physical fitness due to rugged terrain and long distances.

The whole trip, however, is 12 days as we are spending some time sightseeing and visiting some of the amazing tourist spots of Jordan. In addition to Petra we will see Amman, Madaba, Mt Nebo, Dead Sea and Aqaba at the Red Sea.

Limited size to 24 attendees total. This trip will fill up extremely quickly.