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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.
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Upcoming events (4+)
See all- LM: Otter Creek (~16 miles)Vienna North Metro Parking Lot, Vienna, VA
Summer trips call for swimming holes. For this overnight adventure, we're heading to Otter Creek Wilderness in West Virginia.
The general plan is this: depart Vienna and head to the Mylius Trailhead, most likely stopping at a Sheetz along the way. From there, we'll head up the Mylius Trail to the intersection with Shavers Mountain Trail, and then follow Shavers Mountain to Green Mountain Trail. Eventually, we'll arrive at Otter Creek Trail and aim for a campsite near one of the excellent swimming holes in the area. Merriment--and swimming--will ensue.
Sunday, we'll follow Otter Creek Trail to the Mylius Trail and then follow it back to our cars. Post-hike refreshments will be had.
Mileage by day will largely depend on which campsite we choose, but anticipate between 8 to 10 miles for Saturday and the remainder on Sunday.
I'll hold four spots for applicants so will prioritize them first on the wait list. Applicants will need to send a gear list to be approved for the trip--if you have any questions about what goes into a gear list, reach out to me (Jen).
The fine print --
- As per our carpool policy, riders should plan to pay drivers $0.10/mile. (360 miles RT = $36)
- DCULers have maps! Purple Lizard has a good map for Elkins-Otter Creek.
- Members and above, make sure 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 DCUL 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).
- By RSVPing to this trip or any other DCUL trip, you agree to DCUL's waiver liability.
So who's in!
- IO: Wonderland Trail (Mount Rainier National Park, WA) (93 miles)Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, SeaTac, WA
Updated 4/12 We now have a campsites reserved and an itinerary after going through the early access permit process (details below). The group is also full at the moment, but if you're flexible feel free to reach out to be identified as a backup.
For my first trip to the PNW, I'm going all out with the Wonderland Trail. This famous trail loops around Mount Rainer, covering 93 miles and +-20,000'. ~5 days around labor day weekend is the plan, so expect long daily mileage and significant elevation changes.
This trip could go up to 4 people, although some campsites may be cramped. If you're interested, go ahead and hop on the wait list! This will be invite only because of the difficulty (VMO) and commitment needed. Message me if you have any questions.
I will also be looking into contingency plans due to the uncertain federal situation.
Itinerary:
Wednesday Aug 27- Fly into SEA ~10-11 am
- Get rental car
- Drive to Mt. Rainer National Park, stopping along way for supplies
- Pick up permits from White River WIC. Drop off Food Cache White River Camp
- See where we can stay in/near the park when get there. Options: (1) get walk-in permit to start trail early, e.g., at Pyramid Creek, (2) stay at front country campground, or (3) free dispersed camping in the NF 2.4 miles from the Longmire on skate creek rd ( 46°43'38.2"N 121°49'53.8"W ).
Thur Aug 28 - Mon Sep 1
- Hike!
Campsite: Golden Lakes, Cataract Valley, Sunrise, Maple Creek
- Splits (approximate):
- 24 / 17 / 15 / 25 / 10
- ↑8800'↓6500' / ↑4700'↓5300' / ↑6100'↓4200' / ↑5600'↓9200 / ↑2600|↓2600
See screenshots attached to event for details.
Note: there's an opportunity to change campsites when we pick up the permits on 27th. In particular, we are hoping to swap Maple Creek with Summerland or Indian Bar (best campsites, even out splits).Mon Sep 1
- Hike ends
- Drive rental car back to SEA
- Fly out late, ~10pm - 12am
Costs: transportation to WA (assuming folks will fly to SEA like me), hotel/campsite for arrival day, rental car, permits.
The 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
Permit Situation (Archived/outdated, from Feb)
We can't know the exact splits at this point. In the best case scenario, I/we will win the early access lottery and have a decent chance of reserving campsites with balanced splits. If we don't win the lottery, that means having to try when reservations go on sale to everyone on April 25th. However, I would expect most campsites to be scooped up quickly.That leads to trying for walk-on permit, which they set aside 1/3 of the permits for. In this scenario, you show up the morning of and take whatever campsites you can get to complete the loop. I am prepared to do this by default. It will require flexibility with the splits and ability to hike longer days to make an itinerary work. For example, instead of balanced ~14-17 mile days, there might be one 6 miles and one 20-25 mile day in there. If we don't succeed getting an online reservation, I am going to commit to walk-on and ask that participants are okay with that uncertainty.
