Name: Hike: Dickey Ridge Trail/4-H Educational Center, VA
Start: 2025-07-19T12:00:00.000Z
Location: 17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest

**Park Map / MD Bus**

*$36. Long hike: 10½ mi., 1500 ft. elevation gain. Moderate hike: 7 mi., 1000 ft. elevation gain.*

Kings Gap is an environmental education center situated at the northern terminus of the Blue Ridge. Its mature forests are wild enough for us to have seen black bear. Thousands of native pinxter azaleas will be in bloom during this hike. We make use of several trails to visit the park’s upland areas as well as the biologically diverse Kings Gap Hollow watershed. The hike will end at the Pine Grove Furnace area, where the AT Museum is located. If time permits, we will also stop upon our return at Peters Orchard, an extensive fruit stand that is well-known throughout the state.

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RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!
Because this is a paid event, we cannot offer a waitlist should the hike fill up. If spots subsequently open up, they will become immediately available to anyone and everyone.

FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.

BUS STOPS: MARYLAND ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Vienna bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):

* **[DC: Near 17th and K St. NW](https://bit.ly/17thandKnu)** downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
* **[Connecticut Ave. and Porter St,, NW, northeast corner](http://bit.ly/ConnecticutPorter)**. Bus briefly stops at the curb in front of the Broadmoor Apartments to pick up hikers about 8:10 a.m.
* **[Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St., NW, southeast corner](http://bit.ly/ConnecticutMcKinley)**. Bus stops at the bus shelter in front of the Safeway to pick up hikers about 8:20 a.m.
* **[Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, North Bethesda](http://bit.ly/Grosv_Metro)**. Bus stops at the bus shelter nearest to Metro Station walkway entrance between the station and the parking garage about 8:30 a.m.

LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.

CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before 12PM the Thursday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
MORE DETAILS -- **[SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](https://www.capitalhikingclub.org/hikes-faqs)**
for answers to questions such as these and many more:

* What should I bring on a hike?
* Can things be left on the bus during the hike?
* When will the bus return to the metro Washington DC area?
* Can I drive my car and meet the bus at the hike destination?
* Are dogs allowed on hikes?

Capital Hiking Club

Marika

Katie

Joanna

Collette

Hike: Kings Gap, PA

17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest

Hike in the moonlight along the C&O Canal towpath to Great Falls, Maryland, 4 miles

**Time**: Hike starts promptly at 8:15 p.m. and goes to approximately 10:15 p.m. (2 hours). It’s best to arrive about 10-15 minutes before the start of the hike (around 8:00 – 8:10 p.m).

**Meeting Place**: Parking lot across from Old Angler's Inn, 10801 MacArthur Blvd., Potomac, MD.

**Reservations**: Unlike CHC's Saturday bus hikes, signing up for Moonlight Hikes is not required. However, if you do sign up, you can be notified of a possible change in plan. Usually, light rain alone will not cancel the hike--for safety reasons, severe weather or a thunderstorm will.

**Directions:**
a. From the Beltway (I-495), take exit # 41, which is immediately north of the American Legion Bridge. When taking exit # 41, take it west towards Carderock / Great Falls, Maryland.
b. This puts you on the Clara Barton Parkway, heading west. Stay on the Clara Barton Parkway for 1.7 miles until you come to a flashing stoplight.
c. Make a left turn at the flashing stoplight onto MacArthur Blvd. Go for 1 mile until you see the Old Anglers Inn on your right side. Park in the parking lots across the street from the Old Anglers Inn.
What to bring:
a. A flashlight
b. A small bottle of water
c. Insect repellent
d. Comfortable walking shoes (tennis shoes are fine)
Cost / Donation: There is no charge for this hike, in accordance with CHC’s permit from the National Park Service.

**Difficulty / Terrain**: This hike is mostly over flat terrain along the C&O Canal towpath and the Berma Road. This hike is considered to be an easy hike.

**Ages**: This hike is open to all ages, so long as they can comfortably walk 4 miles. Parents need to be mindful of small children during the hike for their safety.

**Dogs**: Dogs are welcome, so long as they are kept on a leash at all times, are friendly around people and other dogs, and are not taken out on the walkway to Olmstead Island.

CHC Organizer

Moonlight Hike: C&O Canal Towpath, Great Falls, MD

Old Anglers Inn

**Park Map / Trailhead hike – NO BUS**

* $5. Long hike: 13 mi., 2000 ft. ascent/descent. Moderate hike: 9 mi., 1500 ft. ascent/descent.*

From the Visitor Center, all hikers will take a loop that provides vistas at Chimney Rock, Wolf Rock, Thurmont Visit, and the Blue Ridge Summit. Moderate hikers will complete the loop by descending towards Rte. 77, taking in the brief detour to Cunningham Falls, and returning to the Visitor Center. Long hikers will continue along Park Central Road and the Catoctin Trail (with an option of a detour to view Cunningham Falls), eventually descending to Rte. 77 and, after crossing the road, taking the Falls Nature Trail to return to the Visitor Center.

***

RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!

FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.

LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.

CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before 12PM the Thursday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.

MORE DETAILS -- **[SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](https://www.capitalhikingclub.org/hikes-faqs)**

Andrew L.

Trailhead Hike: Catoctin Mountain Park – Thurmont, MD

DIRECTIONS IN MEETUP DESCRIPTION

** PATC Map 2-3 / MD Bus**

*$36 plus extra fee for swimming pool. Long hike: 13 mi., 1500 ft. elevation gain. Moderate hike: 9 mi., 1000 ft. elevation gain.*

From the beautiful trails south of Pine Grove Furnace, long hikers start their hike off Shippensburg Road at Fegley Road. They follow the AT down to the Rocky Knob Trail, viewing the tall rhododendrons and hemlocks near the Long Pine reservoir on the way and continue to the Dark Hollow Loop Trail to more huge rhododendrons and hemlocks on the Ramble Trail and Conococheague Creek in Caledonia. Moderate hikers go north from Caledonia with a climb on the AT and do a scenic loop on the Dark Hollow/Hosack Trail back through the same rhododendrons and hemlocks and along the same creek to the bus in Caledonia. Hikers wishing to use the Park's pool (fee required) should bring swimming wear.

\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-
RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!
Because this is a paid event, we cannot offer a waitlist should the hike fill up. If spots subsequently open up, they will become immediately available to anyone and everyone.

FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.

BUS STOPS: MARYLAND ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Vienna bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):

* **[DC: Near 17th and K St. NW](https://bit.ly/17thandKnu)** downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
* **[Connecticut Ave. and Porter St,, NW, northeast corner](http://bit.ly/ConnecticutPorter)**. Bus briefly stops at the curb in front of the Broadmoor Apartments to pick up hikers about 8:10 a.m.
* **[Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St., NW, southeast corner](http://bit.ly/ConnecticutMcKinley)**. Bus stops at the bus shelter in front of the Safeway to pick up hikers about 8:20 a.m.
* **[Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, North Bethesda](http://bit.ly/Grosv_Metro)**. Bus stops at the bus shelter nearest to Metro Station walkway entrance between the station and the parking garage about 8:30 a.m.

LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.

CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before 12PM the Thursday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
MORE DETAILS -- **[SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](https://www.capitalhikingclub.org/hikes-faqs)**
for answers to questions such as these and many more:

* What should I bring on a hike?
* Can things be left on the bus during the hike?
* When will the bus return to the metro Washington DC area?
* Can I drive my car and meet the bus at the hike destination?
* Are dogs allowed on hikes?

Hike: Appalachian Trail, Caledonia State Park, PA

**PATC Map 9 / VA Bus**

* _$36 plus park fee or pass and optional swimming pool fee. Long hike: 11½ mi., 2500 ft. elevation gain. Moderate hike: 8 mi., 2000 ft. elevation gain._ *

Long hikers enter Shenandoah Park from outside the Park, while moderate hikers start from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. Both hikes will go south on the Dickey Ridge Trail to the Land’s Run area. From there they will cross Skyline Drive and use the Hickerson Hollow Trail to descend to the 4-H Educational Center, where a swimming pool is available to cool off after the exertions of hiking in the middle of July. All hikes have the option to add the out-and-back to the Land’s Run waterfall, which adds about 1.3 miles and 300 feet of elevation gain.

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RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!

FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.

BUS STOPS: VIRGINIA ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Vienna bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):

* **[DC: Near 17th and K St. NW](https://bit.ly/17thandKnu)** downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
* **[VIENNA METRO: NORTH parking lot](http://bit.ly/vienna-bus)**, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Note: There is a "south" parking lot where there are also bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of hikers who say they're Capital Hiking Club, you're likely at the south lot. There's a walkway over I-66 to the north lot.

LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.

CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before 12PM the Thursday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.

MORE DETAILS -- **[SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](https://www.capitalhikingclub.org/hikes-faqs)**

Hike: Dickey Ridge Trail/4-H Educational Center, VA

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