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).
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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.
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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
First Day Hike in Rock Creek: 6 Mile Southern Loop
Rock Creek Park and Planetarium, 5200 Glover Road Northwest, Washington, DC, USFirst Day Hike in Rock Creek: 6 Mile Southern Loop
Start 2026 on the right foot with a scenic and refreshing 6-mile loop hike through Rock Creek Park. This First Day Hike has to offer. We will start at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, and travel south past Pierce Mill, ascend up to the Pierce-Klingle Mansion, cross Rock Creek, and hike up the Valley trail, visiting Pulpit Rock and Boulder Bridge before returning to the Nature Center. The hike is generally considered a moderate route. It takes an average of 3 hours hike to complete. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Toilets will NOT be available at the Nature Center. however, the toilets at Pierce Mill will likely be open (about 2 miles into the 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 5200 Glover Road, NW, at the Rock Creek Nature Center
The GPS coordinates are 38.959953, -77.051673
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: Moderate
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 740 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: While the nature center will be closed, toilets likely be open about 2 miles into the hike at Pierce Mill.
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: 15
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
Leisurely Hike at Sky Meadows State Park, 5.2 mi, 1000’ elevation gain within
Location not specified yetCome out for a hike and meet one of our newest PATC hike leaders, Michael! Michael and Sue will be co-leading this hike.
We will hike at Sky Meadows State Park, 4.6 miles with an elevation gain of 1000’. The pace for this hike is great for beginners and families, 1.5-1.9 mph, and slower if needed.
The hike is referred to as a lollipop. We will meet at the Visitor Center parking lot and hike to the Boston Mill Road Trail. We will take the North Ridge Trail to the Appalachian Trail and then the Ambassador White House Trail. We will return on the North Ridge Trail and Boston Mill Road Trail.
DIRECTIONS AND PARKING: Physical Address: 11012 Edmonds Ln., Delaplane, VA 20144
The park is less than two miles south of Paris, Va., via U.S. Route 50 to Route 17 South; or seven miles north of I-66, Exit 23 on Route 17 North. The park’s main entrance is on Rt. 710/Edmonds Lane.
Park in the lot at the visitor center.
Sue's vehicle is a white Toyota Corolla.
RESTROOM: Onsite at the visitor center.
THINGS TO BRING:
You will need a Virginia State Park Pass or pay a $10 fee to access the park.
Dress in layers and be prepared for cold weather. Bring water, snacks, a first aid kit, hiking poles, and additional traction, such as yaks, micro spikes, if you use them.
Hiking Guides:
https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/patc-mentoring-hike-sky-meadows-d06f64a
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/document/data/trail-guide-skymeadows.pdf
Notes:
- Participants are required to sign a PATC HIKE SIGNUP SHEET AND LIABILITY form.
- RSVP to register for this hike. If your plans change, update your RSVP.
- To find out more about PATC, click here.
- Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.
Please check the night before for any updates. A hike will be cancelled due to weather conditions and Virginia Department of Transportation travel alerts.
Attendance will be limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. Preference will be given to PATC members. PATC rules do not permit children under the age of 18 to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present. Please leave your canine companions at home. Thanks!10 attendees
New Year resolution? Great Falls 4.6-mile hike at a moderate pace
9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, Vi, USNew Year resolution to get outdoors and exercise? Now's your chance.
Great Falls National Park in the close-in Virginia suburbs is an outdoor treasure in our own backyard. An ideal place to exercise! The hike will be a leisurely one, at an average pace of about 2 mph. Our route includes a couple of hills and rocks to flex those unused leg muscles; also water views and waterfalls to feast your eyes.
We will warm up walking south from the Visitors Center on the wide, flat Old Carriage Road and the winding Swamp Trail. Then the adventures start on the Ridge and Difficult Run Trails, including a couple of steep hills and a detour to a waterfall. The return route is along the Ridge Trail and a moderately difficult section of the River Trail, which has a couple of short but steep hills; steps; mini-rock scrambles; and clifftop overlooks.
We will move slowly on the River Trail and pause at several overlooks of the Potomac River flowing through Mather Gorge downstream from Great Falls. We will finish at the overlooks of Great Falls.
Bring plenty of water, and snacks for a rest stop mid-way during the hike. (Note: the park's snack bar might be open; no cash accepted; it is located "under" the Visitor Center near the restrooms.)
Start time: Meet at 10:45 and start walking at 11:00. 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 NO cell service in the park, so hike leader will not get last-minute messages.
Required: Hiking boots/shoes (no athletic shoes with smooth bottoms), water. Recommended: hiking poles, rain gear, snacks.
Average pace: a leisurely 2.0 mph (faster on the early flat section, slower on the later rocky section)
AllTrails: We will mostly follow the AllTrails "River, Ridge, CCT, and Swamp Trails" in reverse: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/great-falls-loop-river-ridge-cct-and-swamp-trails
Meeting point: Meet at 10:45 am for sign-ins and introductions at Great Falls Park, Virginia. Meet at the bottom of the ramp to the front entrance of the Visitor Center (the doors facing the parking lot). Street address is 9200 Old Dominion Dr, McLean, VA 22102. Allow extra drive time for construction delays on Georgetown Pike and George Washington Parkway.
Meeting place coordinates: https://maps.app.goo.gl/kAY7ou858TqCAJeK7?g_st=ipc
Park entrance fee: NO CASH ACCEPTED. $20 per car or $35 annually. Free with a National Park pass. Carpools can be arranged by using the Meetup Comments section. (Hike leader can take 1-2 passengers from Eastern Market or Rosslyn metro station if willing to go early.)
Facilities: Restrooms in the outside courtyard of the Visitor Center. Also porta-johns in the park.
Hike details:
Rating: Moderate; one moderately difficult section
Distance: Approx. 4.6 miles
Elevation Gain: Approx. 500 ft.
Pace: Average about 2.0 miles per hour
Conditions: Small but steep hills. Mini-rock scrambles. Can be muddy after rain.
Maximum number of hikers: 10
Contact Information: Please use the Meetup Comments for routine comments and questions. Hike leader is Amber 703-231-5978.
RSVP: Sign-up ends at 6:00 pm the night before the hike. Please do not show up unregistered. If possible, cancel by the same deadline.
To find out more about PATC, see
https://www.patc.net
Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, see https://www.patc.net/membership10 attendees
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