What we’re about
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 outdoors men 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!
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*** Read our liability waiver (https://dculbackpacking.com/about/liability-waiver/) and COVID-19 guidelines here: https://dculbackpacking.com/about/covid-19-guidelines/. ***
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- MO: Trout Run Valley (~27 miles)Bucktail parking, Wardensville, WV
I want to kick off the Memorial Day Weekend with a hike around Trout Run Valley. I have other plans during the weekend, so this trip is from Thursday afternoon into Friday. Join me if you can get away and want to beat Memorial Day crowds. Splits are 7/20.
CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/m/AUFH3U0
Disclaimers
- 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://www.meetup.com/DC-UL-Backpacking/pages/Liability_Waiver/)
- 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. Applicants do not need to pay dues for their first trip. To pay your dues via PayPal, use this link: https://www.paypal.me/JenniferAdach/10 ($10 annual dues plus a $5 suggested donation to City Kids Wilderness Project.)
- Carpool: As per our carpool policy, riders should pay drivers $0.10/mile.
- VMO: Allegheny Trail Section (~80ish miles)Vienna Metro, North parking lot., Vienna, VA
I can't hike another PA trail in the brutal heat and humidity of late May; last year on the SST is still a not-so-fond memory. Instead, join my on a trail DCUL has never hiked before, the Allegheny Trail!
Running the length of WV, we'll only be able to hike a section of it, but the stretch between Cass and Davis is supposed to be excellent! Read more about the trail here: https://www.hikethealleghenytrail.org/
Expect a couple big climbs, plenty of singletrack through creek hollows, some amount of gravel forest road walking and your standard amount of unknown trail conditions on a not-so-popular trail.
The Plan: No plan yet! Roughly, depart Thursday evening, set up the shuttle and likely a very short hike to a campsite. Friday, Saturday, Sunday, 23-25mi/day. Monday, wrap up the mileage, reverse the shuttle, grab a celebratory meal and head home.
I need to study the trail guidebook still and see if I can find the right trailheads for us. I don't think we have quite enough time for all of Section 2 (Cass to Davis) so we may pick a trailhead just short of one of those towns to start or finish at. I've yet to pick a direction but my inclination is North to South.
Resources:
https://www.hikethealleghenytrail.org/
https://caltopo.com/m/5VG00V2
https://www.wunderground.com/forecast/us/wv/davisThe 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.
Not open - VMO: Mid State Trail: Third MarchGrosvenor-Strathmore Kiss & Ride, North Bethesda, MD
So, this is just me putting the dates up. Essentially, this will be a Memorial Day leg-stretcher in Pennsylvania, somewhere on the middle stretches of the Mid-State Trail.
For those who don't know, the Mid-State Trail cuts across the center of Pennsylvania, running roughly 504 kilometers from Maryland to New York. It is an adventuresome trail that resists being hiked. Think of a trail like the Tuscarora Trail, but wilder, rockier, wetter, stranger, bramblier, etc. (Beware the trail hookers!) Very few boots or running shoes cross these miles each year.
If you sign up for this trip, you will probably get lost and feel miserable; you will likely curse my name, at several points, but afterwards you will tell everyone what a great time you had just to fool them into trying it themselves. In short, good clean class 2 fun.
To learn more about the Mid-State Trail (and acquire maps) go here. You might even check out the end-to-ender's list, where I'm #9. A number of other foolhardy DC ULers have etched their name on this list (and a few forgot to turn in their paperwork ... shame!).
So what am I proposing? Basically, just to section hike it in the coming cooler months. I reserve the right to get distracted by skiing and all manner of other things, but we'll get 'er done. Last time it did take more than one season ...
Not open - VMO: The Mid-Stone Loop, ~53 Miles in Rothrock State ForestRocky Ridge Natural Area, Huntingdon, PA
If you are also late-ish making Memorial Day weekend plans and yearn for rocky PA trails (but don't have the PTO for the longer MST trip), consider joining me on this DC UL Original^tm trip, the Mid Stone Loop.
--- most below adapted/copied from last time---
We take in [parts] of the Mid State Trail, Standing Stone Trail, the Ironstone Loop, and a stroll through the Rocky Ridge Natural Area, the Stone Valley Recreation Area, and Greenwood Furnace State Park. It’s not short at about 53 miles but we’re going to take three nights in the woods to enjoy it.
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Caveats: (1) I've never done these trails before (2) Unfortunately, the splits and campsites will not be as ideal as the original trip, as the state forest campsites seem to be booked (it's a holiday weekend and my planning is last minute). That means a longer day 2 (22 vs 25) and dry, primitive campsites.Splits will be 0.25/20/25/8.5. Make sure you are a Veteran Member in trail condition for a couple summer 20-25 mile days with rocky terrain.
Plan
Currently planning to pick up a rental car from DCA around ~2pm (earliest I probably can). This is a loop so there won't be pressure to leave at the same time. If this trip gets enough interest and there's a need for a car pool, I/we can arrange an official one at Grosvenor metro station (or Rosslyn if that happens to be work).Fri: leave DC in the afternoon and meet at the parking lot at the end of Frew Road. We'll then have a short ~0.25 mi hike up the Standing Stone Trail where it looks like there is a dry campsite (see attached pics for parking and campsite).
Sat: 20 miles for the day. We hike through the Rocky Ridge Natural Area and traipse via country roads through the Stone Valley Recreation Area and Lake Perez, connecting with the Ironstone Loop Trail to head up to the Mid State Trail via the Indian Steps Trail. We’ll get water before hitting the ridge. Camp dry at the intersection of the Mid State and Campbell Trail.
Sun: 25 miles for the day. NOBO along the Mid State Trail, connecting with the Standing Stone Trail to go SOBO. Hopefully we can take a dip in Greenwood Furnace State Park before marching on. Fill up on water, then continue on to dry campsite along the STS.
Mon: 8.75 miles. Finish out our hike SOBO along the Standing Stone Trail.
Resources
DCUL'ers have maps!
- CalTopo: https://caltopo.com/m/8SJH13C
- Purple Lizard Rothrock map: https://www.purplelizard.com/products/rothrock-trail-mapDirections: https://maps.app.goo.gl/TSmdNDTFTZjzgCbJ9
Fantastic trip report by Whiskey Fairy: https://dculbackpacking.com/2020/06/26/trip-report-frew-hiking-the-mid-stone-loop/
Weather: https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=41.02&lon=-77.65
Standing Stone Trail Maps https://www.standingstonetrail.org/pdf-maps
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
- All non-drivers should expect to pay $0.10 per mile to their driver, in accordance with the DC UL carpool policy.
