About us
PATC hikes are an opportunity to understand the club and its important trail maintenance work. You do not need to be a PATC member to hike with us, but we hope you will consider joining after getting to know us. Come join us on the trails!
(PATC hikes are conducted by trained hike leaders. The hikes offer various levels of difficulty and distance).
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT PATC
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a 100% Volunteer-Supported 501c3 non-profit formed in 1927 for the purpose of building and maintaining the Appalachian Trail (AT), a 2190-mile footpath from Maine to Georgia, the longest hiking-only trail in the world.
We are the Trail Guardians for over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia & Virginia, including 240 miles of AT. Our territory begins in Central Pennsylvania at Pine Grove Furnace, continues thru Maryland & West Virginia to Harpers Ferry and extends into the mid-point of Virginia, including the Shenandoah National Park. In addition, we maintain other regional trails, for a total of over 1,000 miles of trails, thousands of acres of land and more than 80 shelters and cabins.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
ABOUT THE HIKE PROGRAM
The first stated purpose of PATC is "to support and encourage the ... proper recreational use of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and other trails". This is done partly through the sponsorship of hikes on trails in PATC's area and on other trails.
The club has a wide-ranging hiking program which includes local area hikes and excursions into other geographical areas. Hikes can range from short, close-in day hikes to extended excursions. Hikes can be for physical conditioning, social interaction, nature walks, history lessons, to reach a viewpoint, or any of a number of purposes. The club encourages a wide variety of hikes, and provides training and support to hike leaders.
Upcoming events
7
Ovoka Farm Loop: a 6.5 Mi 1358 Ft Moderate Hike
Sky Meadows, 11012 Edminds Ln,, DELAPLANE, VA, USThis moderately rated loop will take us through wide open fields and forests in Sky Meadows State Park, with several scenic lookouts along the way. We will hike on the Ovoka Farm Loop, which starts at the parking lot off Edmonds Lane, near the historic Mount Bleak House, a Federal-style stone house built in 1843. The hike is about 6.5 miles with approximately 1,358 feet of elevation. We will start on the Piedmont Overlook Trail and take that to North Ridge trail which will take us to the Appalachian Trail (AT). Those first two miles to the AT have the majority of the inclines for this hike and are generally the most challenging. After being on the AT briefly, we will turn left onto the Old Trail and take that until we return to the AT and turn right. From there we will take the AT down to the Ambassador Whitehouse Trail, which will bring us back to the North Ridge Trail and take that back to the parking lot.
Hike Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/ovoka-farm-loop
Trail Map: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-skymeadows.pdf
Hiking Pace: We typically hike about 2 mph (faster on flat sections, slower on hilly / rocky sections); however, we leave no one behind and will move at a pace that is comfortable for all.
Fees: You will need a Virginia State Park Pass or pay a $10 fee to access the park. In addition, REI Co-op members can receive free daily parking at Virginia State Parks, including Sky Meadows, by presenting their physical, paper REI receipt from a recent purchase (usually within the last 30 days) at the park entrance.
What to Bring: Dress in layers and be prepared for cold weather. Bring mini or micro spikes as needed for any snow/ice on the trails. Bring at least two liters of water, emergency contact information, personal first aid kit and medications, snacks/meal, sunscreen, insect repellant, trekking poles if you use them, proper hiking footwear.
Please leave pets at home.Time to Meet: Please meet by 8:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00 am. If you can't make the hike, please cancel your RSVP by 6 pm the night before to allow others on the waiting list to join. There is often limited/no cell service in the area, so hike leaders may not receive messages the day of the hike.
Meeting Place: Sky Meadows State Park Visitor Center: 11012 Edmonds Ln, Markham, VA 22643
Visitor Parking Lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/drZtWgmYsYDSrfr49Facilities: There are bathrooms near the visitor center
Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for comments and questions. The hike leaders are Marc H. and Lisa P.
Hike Details
-Rating: Moderate
-Distance: Approx. 6.5 miles
-Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,358 feet
-Pace: Average about 2.0 miles per hour
-Fees: N/ACancellation: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.
Weather: The weather for this location can be found here.
Notes:
-You must sign up by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance-free event.
-Please leave pets at home.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.
-Attendance is limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. PATC rules do not permit children under 18 years to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.15 attendees
Lake Needwood and Lake Frank a Moderate 5.5 0r 9 Mile Hike
Lake Frank, 15211 Avery Rd, Rockville, MD, USLake Frank and Lake Needwood, a Moderate 6 0r 9 Mile Hike
Nestled in the heart of Montgomery County, Maryland, Rock Creek Regional Park offers natural tranquility and outdoor recreation. Covering 1,800 acres, this park is a sanctuary for nature enthusiasts, hikers, and families. With its woodlands, lakes, and a bounty of activities, the park offers an escape in every season.
At the core of Rock Creek Regional Park’s appeal is its rich and varied landscape. The park’s expanse is punctuated by two bodies of water: the 75-acre Lake Needwood and the 55-acre Lake Frank. These lakes, with their calm surfaces and lush surroundings, provide both scenic vistas and a hub for aquatic activities.
The park’s dense woodlands are crisscrossed by miles of trails—winding routes that meander along lake shores, through forests, and across open meadows. The diversity of the landscape ensures that every visit feels fresh,.
The trail for our hike begins at the Lake Frank parking lot and goes first to Lake Needwood. The path leading to Lake Needwood on the hiker biker path is mostly paved and traverses through the woods between the lakes. The path around Lake Needwood is unpaved, natural surface. We are returning on the same path to Lake Frank. Those doing 6 miles will leave at that point. Those that continue around Lake Frank will find a mostly unpaved, natural surface.
At the approximate half-way point around Lake Frank, there is a small creek to cross using a group of rocks that form a bridge-like path across. After heavy rains or icy conditions, we may prefer an extra mile bypassing this crossing.
Bring a lunch or snack to enjoy along the way.
A leashed, friendly Fido is welcome on this hike.
Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00
Directions to Trailhead: The address is "Lake Bernard Frank, Avery Rd Parking Lot." The GPS Coordinates are 39.10477, -77.12071 .
Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Christa; 410.610.6254. Call or text as needed.
Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6 or 9 miles
Elevation Gain: 250 feet (5.2 mile) or 500 (9 mile)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hourFacilities: There are portable toilets near Lake Needwood, about 2 miles into the hike
Fees: No entrance fees
Cancellation: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.
Weather: The weather for this location can be found here.
Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.15 attendees
Past events
276
Group links
Organizers
Members
2,591
