What we’re about
Want to go hiking near DC and not wake up at the crack of dawn? This is the hiking group for you!
Late Morning DC Hikers (LMH) is a group of friends and volunteer organizers that enjoy hiking at some of the best spots and exploring some of the best breweries and wineries in the region.
Our group sees the journey as the destination. We prefer enjoying each other's company more than pumping out miles. We're more inclined to stay up late rather than get up at 5 am. And we definitely think that a hike followed by food and drinks at one of the DMV's many breweries or wineries makes for a fantastic day!
Disclaimer
Late Morning Hikers is an informal group initiating trips under the common adventurer model. While (many) of our events are not ultra strenuous hikes, we do expect our members to be familiar with the best practices of hiking – this is not a group for first time hikers and is NOT a group for those seeking hiking instruction.
Our volunteer organizers are not experts or professionals, nor are we trained hike leaders, nor do we scout out hikes. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own welfare and safety at all LMH events. Be sure to choose to attend hikes only within your own physical abilities and hiking knowledge; take maps, suitable clothing, provisions (at least two liters of water plus any food or medical supplies you might require) and equipment, and act responsibly and safely at all times. Acting responsibly and safely includes always making sure that you stay with a group (we advise using the buddy system) and staying on, or within sight of (if you need to answer the call of nature or avoid an obstacle on the trail), marked trails at all times. If you ever believe you may be lost, follow the advice of the US Forest Service.
LMH organizers and members shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any aspect of LMH activities. Just in case you haven’t memorized it yet, our waiver of liability is here.
Upcoming events
4
Sky Meadows! (~7 miles, 1300’ ft) + Lost Barrel
Sky Meadows State Park Visitor Center, 11012 Edmonds Ln, Markham, VA, USSky Meadows is exactly what it sounds like—meadows high in the sky! Join us on this breath-taking moderate 7-mile hike with about 1300 ft elevation gain to enjoy the end of foliage season.
Expect a steep climb for about an hour at the beginning.
We'll meet at the park’s visitor center parking lot (coordinates: 38°59'30.6"N 77°57'58.0"W) at 10 AM. The park’s entrance address is:
11012 Edmonds Ln
Delaplane, VA 20144There is a $10 entrance fee per vehicle. The parking lot has ample space, but arriving earlier can secure you a spot. There’s an old house and a shop to explore while waiting!
Here’s the link to the hike: Sky Meadows Loop on AllTrails
We'll hike at around 2.5 to 3 mph and take water breaks along the way. The overlook offers breathtaking views where there’s enough space to enjoy a small lunch before heading back down and visiting the following brewery:
LOST BARREL BREWING
36138 Little River Turnpike
Middleburg, VA 20117We hope to see you on the trail!
CARPOOLING:
We encourage car owners to be willing to drive—as the ones who do make LMH great! If you're a driver willing to offer a ride, please comment on the event page with:
(1) Number of seats available
(2) Meeting location
(3) Meeting time (recommended departure from DC is 8:40AM).**Riders, please comment on the driver's post to claim a seat or post in the comments if you need a ride so a driver can find you. Riders are encouraged to contribute to gas costs. **
BACKGROUND INFO ABOUT LMH:
Please remember this is an informal group of friends and volunteers organizing trips based on the [adventure-seeking model]. Members are expected to be familiar with safe hiking practices. This group isn’t suitable for first-time hikers or those seeking instruction. We are not professional guides or trained leaders, nor do we scout hikes in advance. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own safety at all LMH events. Choose hikes suitable to your fitness and experience, and bring maps, proper clothing, enough water (at least two liters), and any needed supplies or medical gear.Always act responsibly. If you think you might get lost, follow the US Forest Service Advice (https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-you-go) LMH organizers and members aren’t liable for injuries, loss, or damage during activities.
By attending, you agree to our waiver of liability
14 attendees
Buzzard Rock (HARD: 6.2 mi / 1,381ft) & Death Ridge Brewery
Buzzard Rock Parking Area, 3087 Mountain Rd, Front Royal, va, USThe hike: We're heading out to Shenandoah Valley to hike up Buzzard Rock overlook, which is an out & back trail with some pretty views and rock scrambles. This is a strenuous 6.2-mile hike with almost 1,400 feet of elevation gain beginning from the Buzzard Rock Parking Lot. See this AllTrails link for the trail map and more information: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/overlook-via-buzzard-rock
You must have the proper gear (hiking boots with ankle support and good grip, poles if needed). We will move at a moderate pace (2 to 2.5 mph) with lots of water breaks along the way and a lunch break at the top (half-way point). Please be sure to bring snacks, 1-2 liters of water, and lunch.
The parking lot/meeting point: https://maps.app.goo.gl/xvaAGbS4w51mDoUs6 or 38°56'15.9"N 78°17'18.6"W
Parking at this location is extremely limited so carpooling is recommended.The brewery: Afterwards, we'll stop at Death Ridge Brewery for some well-earned food and drinks (and possibly live music!). This brewery is not directly on the way back to DC, but is worth the slight diversion. For more information: https://www.deathridgebrewery.com/
CARPOOLING:
We encourage those with cars to carpool others to the trailhead - you're the ones who make LMH great!If you're a driver that is willing to drive, please post a comment on the event page with the following information:
(1) Number of seats
(2) Meeting location
(3) Meeting time (recommended departure time from DC is 8:15 AM).As a rider, please comment on the driver's post to take a seat or post in the comments that you need a ride so a driver can find you. Riders are encouraged to help their driver out with the cost of gas.
BACKGROUND INFO ABOUT LMH: Please remember that this group is an informal group of friends and volunteers initiating trips under the common adventurer model (http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.html). We do expect our members to be familiar with the best practices of hiking. This is not a group for first time hikers and is NOT a group for those seeking hiking instruction.
We are also not professionals, nor are we trained hike leaders, nor do we scout out hikes. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own welfare and safety at all LMH events. Be careful to choose hikes only within your own physical abilities and hiking knowledge; take maps, suitable clothing, provisions (at least two liters of water plus any food or medical supplies you might require) and equipment, and act responsibly and safely at all times.
Act responsibly and safely: if you ever believe you may be lost, follow the advice of the US Forest Service (https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost)
LMH organizers and members shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any aspect of LMH activities. By attending this event, you represent that you have read, understand, and agree to the contents of our waiver of liability in the following link (https://www.meetup.com/Late-Morning-DC-Hikers-25-45/pages/12710332/Waiver_of_Liability/)
8 attendees
Pyrite Mine Loop with Quantico Falls (7.5 Miles, 633 ft, Moderate)
Prince William Forest Visitor Center, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle, VA, USHi All,
Our setting for this hike will be the nearby gem, the Prince William National Forest. Your NPS pass will get you free entry; otherwise the entrance fee per car is $20. Please use the GPS coordinates provided below to arrive at our meeting point.
Our route will be the Pyrite Mine Loop. Check out the route on All Trails (https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/virginia/pyrite-mine-loop-trail) for reference. Around the midway point, we will add an extra half mile to go up to Quantico Falls and have a snack/lunch at a nice spot with picnic tables.
As always, bring plenty of water and shoes appropriate for wet ground.
HOW TO GET HERE:
We will assemble at the the Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center parking lot (38.559941, -77.347229) at 10 am and plan to start the hike promptly thereafter.CARPOOLING:
We encourage those with cars to be willing to drive - you're the ones who make LMH great! Carpooling is recommended since the entrance fee to the park is per-vehicle. If you're a driver that is willing to drive, please post a comment on the event page with the following information:
(1) Number of seats
(2) Meeting location
(3) Meeting time**Riders, please comment on the driver's post to claim a seat or post in the comments if you need a ride so a driver can find you. Riders are encouraged to contribute to gas costs. **
BREWERY INFO: Our planned après-hike will be at the Aslin Brewery's Alexandria location, 847 S Pickett St, Alexandria, VA, 22304, which has an excellent beer selection and varied food menu (see https://www.aslinbeer.com/alexandria).
BACKGROUNG INFO ABOUT LMH:
Please remember this is an informal group of friends and volunteers organizing trips based on the [adventure-seeking model]. Members are expected to be familiar with safe hiking practices. This group isn’t suitable for first-time hikers or those seeking instruction. We are not professional guides or trained leaders, nor do we scout hikes in advance. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own safety at all LMH events. Choose hikes suitable to your fitness and experience, and bring maps, proper clothing, enough water (at least two liters), and any needed supplies or medical gear.Always act responsibly. If you think you might get lost, follow the US Forest Service Advice (https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-you-go) LMH organizers and members aren’t liable for injuries, loss, or damage during activities.
By attending, you agree to our waiver of liability
2 attendees
Indian Grave Ridge (8.3mi, 1624 gain)/Vibrassa Beer
East Falls Church Metro Station, 2001 N Sycamore St, Arlington, VA 22205, Arlington, VA, USIndian Grave Ridge is a hidden gem of a loop hike in the Massanutten range. It features some beautiful views of the Luray Valley/Fort Valley/Shenendoah River from the ridge walking, and there is a brief walk along a (less traveled) road along the Shenendoah River.
Afterward we’ll grab a beer from a group favorite, Vibrassa Beer in Front Royal.
Hope to see you there!
Official Hike Map: https://myhikes.org/trails/indian-grave-ridge-hike
Brewery: https://vibrissabeer.com
Please bring all the things you will need for a hike! An adequate amount of water (at least 2 liters), snacks/lunch, sunscreen, bug spray, and rain gear (if forecasted). If it’s really hot, consider bringing some electrolytes like Gatorade or Nuun tablets.
Carpool Info
In a change up, we’ll be meeting at the EAST FALLS CHURCH METRO, on the Lee Highway side of the station by the bus stops. We will carpool to the hike location from there.
Background information about the group:
Please remember that this group is an informal group of friends and volunteers initiating trips under the common adventurer model (http://www.ronwatters.com/CADefine.htm). We do expect our members to be familiar with the best practices of hiking – this is not a group for first time hikers and is NOT a group for those seeking hiking instruction.
We're also not experts or professionals, nor are we trained hike leaders, nor do we scout out hikes. We plan hikes for fun. You are responsible for your own welfare and safety at all LMH events. Be sure to choose to attend hikes only within your own physical abilities and hiking knowledge; take maps, suitable clothing, provisions (at least two liters of water plus any food or medical supplies you might require) and equipment, and act responsibly and safely at all times.Acting responsibly and safely includes always making sure that you stay with a group (we advise using the buddy system) and staying on, or within sight of (if you need to answer the call of nature or avoid an obstacle on the trail), marked trails at all times. If you ever believe you may be lost, follow the advice of the US Forest Service (https://www.fs.fed.us/visit/know-before-you-go/if-you-get-lost)
LMH organizers and members shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any aspect of LMH activities. By attending this event, you represent that you have read, understand, and agree to the contents of our waiver of liability in the following link (Waiver of Liability - Google Docs).
14 attendees
Past events
440
