What we’re about
Established - May 2024
http://novatrailblazers.com/
Trying to find hike-minded people? Look no further.
This group is for hiking and backpacking enthusiasts in their 20s to 40s, though we do accept people of all ages. Our group is largely informal, with events mostly consisting of backpacking trips with day hikes as schedules permit. New members are always welcome regardless of skill level.
If you think you might be interested but aren't quite sure, feel free to attend one of our occasional informal meetings/happy hours to meet some organizers and find out what we have scheduled.
INHERENT RISK: Organizers carefully plan events and check public sources for weather and safety. Conditions may change or reports may contain errors. Inherent natural hazards are associated with backcountry travel. Organizers do not accept any liability for accidents/injuries in connection with the activities published herein or on linked sites.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Day Hike/Swim - Whiteoak Canyon Loop (8.3 Miles) + Bar LouieVienna Metro Station, Fairfax, VA
Whiteoak Canyon is an awesome day hike with about 30 waterfalls and several swimming holes. It's a great place for a summer hike - bring a swimsuit on this one.
We will meet at Vienna Metro at 9AM and carpool to the trailhead. Drive time is about 1 hour and 50 mins - Please post a comment below if you are willing to drive. Carpooling saves the environment and makes friends.
## Trail Facts
- Difficulty Level: Strenuous
- Length: 8.3 Miles
- Duration: 5-6 hrs
- Elevation Gain: 2,329 Feet
- Permits: Shenandoah Park Pass ($30 per car) or America The Beautiful Pass
- Parking: Vienna Metro Station
- Dogs: Allowed
- Trailhead Coordinates: 38.539495, -78.349128
- AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/white-oak-canyon-and-cedar-run-trail-loop?u=i&sh=rak641
Trail Details:
This hike is a combination of Whiteoak Canyon and Cedar Run trails to create a loop. It considered challenging, but those who do it are rewarded with exceptional cascades and waterfalls. Be prepared for several stream crossings. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash.
We are leaving the area early as this is a challenging hike that will take most of the day, especially if we stop to swim or enjoy the waterfalls. It is highly recommended that you bring plenty of water as well as snacks and electrolytes (i.e. Gatorade). This trail has tons of shade and places to take a dip, so bring a swimsuit and let's enjoy the summer vibes.
After the hike, we'll stop at Bar Louie in Gainsville for food and drinks (14081 Promenade Commons St, Gainesville, VA 20155)
PARK ENTRANCE PASS: Shenandoah National Park charges a fee to enter. An annual pass is also available for purchase. For more information, please see https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm
LIABILITY NOTICE:
Please remember that this group operates under the common adventurer model. We are a group of friends and volunteers organizing trips for fun and shared experience. Participants are expected to be familiar with best hiking practices and choose hikes that align with their physical abilities and experience. Organizers and members are not liable for any injuries, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from group activities. By attending this event, you agree to assume all risks associated with the activity.For more information on the common adventurer model, please see Ron Watters' definition.
If you believe you may be lost during the hike, follow the advice of the US Forest Service.
See you on the trail! - Backpack - Dolly Sods (16 Miles) - 2 DaysVienna Metro Station, Fairfax, VA
IMPORTANT - READ
Monongahela National Forest limits groups to 10 people, so that is a hard limit for this trip. If you are not 100% committed please do NOT RSVP## Trail Facts
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Length: 16 Miles
- Duration: 2 Days
- Elevation Gain: 2,216 Feet
- Bear Canisters: Not Required
- Permits: Not Required
- Parking: Red Creek Trailhead
- Coordinates: 38.972729, -79.397824
- AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/dolly-sods-backpack-16-mi-24357dd
The Dolly Sods Wilderness is a U.S. Wilderness Area in the Allegheny Mountains of eastern West Virginia and is part of the Monongahela National Forest (MNF) and one of the most desirable trekking areas in the US.
Dolly Sods is a rocky, high-altitude plateau with sweeping vistas and flora and fauna normally found much further north in Canada. A backpacking trip in this area will expose you to a very diverse and unique landscape with sphagnum bogs, grassy meadows lined by spruce trees, wind-carved boulders, and beautiful mountain vistas.
Note - this area can have very unpredictable weather. I've had everything from sunshine, to heavy rain, to even snow and hail as late as May. Pack accordingly.
Trail Details:
We will meet at The Vienna Metro station on Saturday morning at 8am and drive to the Red Creek Trailhead at the southern end of the Dolly Sods wilderness. The drive is about 3 hours - I will drive and am happy to have up to 3 others carpool with me.When we arrive at the trailhead, we will hike about 6.3 miles to our campsite, stopping once to check out the the iconic Lion's Head on Breathed Mountain (pictured in the post). Should be an early day, so feel free to bring cards, adult beverages, or other items to pass the time. The second day, we will explore the rest of the park, which includes the rugged Dunkenbarger trail. The second day is about 9.4 miles back to the car. There are a ton of stream crossings on this trip - so expect to get wet and pack accordingly.
Essential Items:
- Tent
- Sleeping pad
- Sleeping bag suitable for expected temperatures
- Backpack (appropriate for overnight backpacking)
- Backpacking stove with fuel
- Pot, cup, dish, and utensils
- Dehydrated meals and snacks
- Water bottles or hydration system (capacity for at least 2 liters)
- Water filter or purification tablets
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Rain gear
- Dry bags or pack cover
- Warm clothing layers (non-cotton)
- Trowel for and toiletries for Leave No Trace compliance
Optional Items:
- Personal first aid kit
- Map and compass or GPS device
- Power bank or external battery
- Trekking poles
- Camp shoes
- Electrolyte supplements
- Alcohol
- Books, games, or other enterainment
- Gaiters
- Sunscreen, lip balm, insect repellent
General meetup location: Vienna Metro Station - 8:00am
Time driving: 3 hr. each way
Google driving direction from Vienna metro:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/KUW283UFEe5kJJnLACARPOOL: Don't forget if you want a ride or are willing to offer a ride – be a friend to the environment, save money, and make friends.
LIABILITY NOTICE:
Please remember that this group operates under the common adventurer model. We are a group of friends and volunteers organizing trips for fun and shared experience. Participants are expected to be familiar with best hiking practices and choose hikes that align with their physical abilities and experience. Organizers and members are not liable for any injuries, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from group activities. By attending this event, you agree to assume all risks associated with the activity.For more information on the common adventurer model, please see Ron Watters' definition.
If you believe you may be lost during the hike, follow the advice of the US Forest Service.
See you on the trail! - Day Hike - Rock Creek Park (3.5 Miles)Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium, Washington, DC
## Details
Rock Creek Park is a 1,755-acre wooded oasis in the heart of Washington, DC. Beyond the main block of land along Rock Creek, the park includes parcels scattered across northwest Washington. Archeology has brought many untold stories of this park's long and fascinating history to light. People lived on the land for thousands of years before the park was established in 1890 and, even then, dozens of people still lived within its boundaries. Archeologists found Native American camp sites dating between 2,500 BCE and 1,400 CE, colonial tenancies, nineteenth-century dwellings, and Civil War military artifacts. Rock Creek Park's archeological resources thus preserve significant points in Washington's regional history.
We will meet at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium at 11:00 AM and walk to the trailhead. Free parking is available at any of the numbered picnic areas, the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, and off of 16th Street near the Rock Creek Tennis Center. You are welcome to organize carpools in the comments section below. Please post a comment if you are willing to drive.
## Trail Facts
- Difficulty Level: Moderate
- Length: 3.5 Miles
- Duration: 1-2 hrs
- Elevation Gain: 337 Feet
- Permits: None
- Parking: Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
- Dogs: Must be leashed and under control at all times.
- Trailhead Coordinates: 38.95869094449462, -77.04918954511426
- AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington-dc/boulder-bridge-loop
Trail Details:
We'll be doing the Boulder Bridge Hike. The trail is marked with pink blazes on posts for the entire loop. It starts at the White Horse Trail trailhead. It is generally considered an easy route. It is a popular area for hiking and walking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. This area is closed to vehicular traffic from 7 AM on Saturdays to 7 PM on Sundays and holidays but on weekdays the route is shared with vehicles. The path is wide and well-cleared, but steep and uneven in the beginning and ending sections. The entrance can be a bit tricky to find - it is by the horse stable. This loop is a combination of established trails in Rock Creek Park.LIABILITY NOTICE:
Please remember that this group operates under the common adventurer model. We are a group of friends and volunteers organizing trips for fun and shared experience. Participants are expected to be familiar with best hiking practices and choose hikes that align with their physical abilities and experience. Organizers and members are not liable for any injuries, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from group activities. By attending this event, you agree to assume all risks associated with the activity.For more information on the common adventurer model, please see Ron Watters' definition.
If you believe you may be lost during the hike, follow the advice of the US Forest Service.
See you on the trail!
- Day Hike - Sweet Run State Park (6.5 Miles) + Quattro GoombasVienna Metro South Kiss & Ride Parking, Vienna, VA
Formerly known as the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, Sweet Run is Virginia's newest state park. Dedicated by the Governor in 2023, this 884-acre property located near Hillsboro, VA features 11 miles of hiking trails, views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and signs of the property's past use for subsistence farming.
We will meet at the Vienna South Metro Station at 8:00 AM and carpool to the trailhead. Drive time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Please post a comment below if you are willing to drive. Carpooling saves the environment and makes friends.
## Trail Facts
- Difficulty Level: Easy
- Length: 6.5 Miles
- Duration: 2-3 hrs
- Elevation Gain: 669 Feet
- Permits: You must purchase either a $10 daily parking pass or a Virginia State Parks Annual Pass. In either case the pass covers everyone in the same vehicle.
- Parking: Vienna South Metro Station
- Dogs: Must be leashed and under control at all times.
- Trailhead Coordinates: 39.29321437867547, -77.72592075461714
- AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-april-7-2025-991de29?u=i&sh=kucj8c
Trail Details:
At the trailhead we can take a look at the orchard on the property as well as the view of the mountains to the east. We will then begin our journey through Sweet Run State Park, which will take us through forests and fields and along Piney Run, Wortman Pond, and Gordon Pond. When we return to the trailhead you can check out the garden or embrace your inner child in the nature play area. :)
On the way back, I plan to stop at Quattro Goombas Winery and Craft Brewery in Aldie, VA. The address is 22860 James Monroe Hwy, Aldie, VA 20105.
LIABILITY NOTICE:
Please remember that this group operates under the common adventurer model. We are a group of friends and volunteers organizing trips for fun and shared experience. Participants are expected to be familiar with best hiking practices and choose hikes that align with their physical abilities and experience. Organizers and members are not liable for any injuries, loss, or damage to persons or property arising from group activities. By attending this event, you agree to assume all risks associated with the activity.For more information on the common adventurer model, please see Ron Watters' definition.
If you believe you may be lost during the hike, follow the advice of the US Forest Service.
See you on the trail!
