What we’re about
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 (4+)
See all- Little Bennett, a 7.6 mile moderate hike24935 Clarksburg Rd, Clarksburg, MD
Little Bennett, a 7.6 mile moderate hike
Little Bennett Regional Park is the largest natural gem of Montgomery County. It lies just a few miles from Interstate 270, about 20 miles from DC. Spread over 3,700 acres, the park offers beautiful scenery, historic sites and over 25 miles of scenic natural surface trails. Explore 7.6 miles of the park on this hike.
In addition to an abundance of native plants and animals, we will pass by the one-room Kingsley School House and the ruins of a farmhouse and a tobacco barn. We will also pass by huge Allegheny ant builder mounds, an interesting spot to observe ants and their busy lives. Birders might see eastern bluebirds.
We will enjoy a break along Little Bennett Creek, so bring along a snack or lunch. Fido is welcome but must be on a leash for the entire hike.
Time to Meet: Please meet at 8:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00
Directions to Trailhead: We meet at the Kingsley parking lot in Little Bennett Park. The best address to use in your GPS is 24758 Clarksburg Road, Clarksburg, MD. However, look for the sign that says Kingsley Parking Lot. The Pin location is correct.
Use the GPS Coordinates if you can: 39.266022, -77.280568Contact 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: 7.6 miles
Elevation Gain: 700 feet
Trail Type Loop
Trail Surface: mostly dirt, may be muddy in places, stream crossings on bridges
Pace: 2.0 to 2.3 miles per hourFacilities: Toilets can be found about one mile 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.
Maximum number of hikers: 12
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.
- Middle Patuxent Environmental Area: An Easy-Side-of-Mod 5.75 Mile HikeMiddle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA), Clarksville, MD
Middle Patuxent Environmental Area: An Easy-Side-of-Mod 5.75 Mile Hike
The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) is a “forever protected” natural environmental area. At 1,021 acres, it is the largest area in Howard County’s system of parks, open space and natural resource areas. Howard County’s Department of Recreation and Parks manages the area in a cooperative partnership with the Middle Patuxent Environmental Foundation. The area is managed using ecosystem management concepts to restore and protect the diversity of communities found in this region.
The MPEA is home to a diversity of wildlife, including about 150 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals, and numerous amphibians, reptiles, fishes, butterflies, plants and other wildlife. This parkland is comprised largely of mature, second-growth upland forest and floodplain forest. The Middle Patuxent River runs north to south through the property, with 17 tributary streams found within its boundaries.
We will hike trails through woodland and open pasture that border the Middle Patuxent River. The hike is considered an easy side of moderate.
Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00Directions to Trailhead:
Middle Patuxent Environmental Area
5795 Trotter Rd. Clarksville, MD
GPS Coordinates: 39.212379, -76.917819
We meet at the parking lot.Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.Details:
Rating: Easy side of moderate
Distance: 5.75 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 450 ft (6 miles), or 730 ft (9.2 miles)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead
Fees: No entrance feesCancellation:
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.
