About us
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
20
Rock Creek South: A 6 Mile Loop
Rock Creek Park and Planetarium, 5200 Glover Road Northwest, Washington, DC, USRock Creek South: A 6 Mile Loop
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."
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.
Portable toilets will be available at the Nature Center, and the toilets at Pierce Mill will likely be open (about 2 miles into the hike).
Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:15 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:30
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 hourFacilities: Portable toilets will be available at the Nature Center, and the toilets at Pierce Mill will likely be open (about 2 miles into the hike).
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 RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. SHOULD YOUR PLANS CHANGE, KINDLY UPDATE YOUR RSVP BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO FILL YOUR SPOT. IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST, IT IS IMPORTANT TO SIGN OUT AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL NOT ATTEND BECAUSE MEETUP MOVES PEOPLE AUTOMATICALLY TO THE GOING LIST ONCE A SPOT OPENS.
SIGNING OUT AFTER 6:00 PM THE EVENING BEFORE THE HIKE WILL BE CONSIDERED A "NO SHOW," AND REPEATED INSTANCES MAY RESULT IN BEING BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE HIKES LED BY THIS ORGANIZER.
-PLEASE DO NOT SHOW UP UNLESS YOU ARE ON THE "GOING" LIST.
-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
Riverbend Park, Great Falls and Difficult Run a Moderate 10.5 Miles
Riverbend Park Boat Ramp, Potomac Heritage Trail, Great Falls, MD, USRiverbend Park, Great Falls and Difficult Run a Mod. 10.5 Mile Hike
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER NOTE
This is a two-park hike spanning 10.5 miles, beginning at Riverbend Park and winding through the uplands toward Great Falls. The trail follows the gorge and continues onto the floodplain, offering a variety of landscapes, stunning vistas, and about 800 feet of elevation change along the way. The hike winds its way back to Riverbend along the cliff and through the woodland of Riverbend Park.
Just 15 miles from downtown Washington, the Great Falls area stands out as premier natural escape from the city. Riverbend Park features over 400 acres of forest, meadows, and ponds. Here, Potomac River abruptly plunges nearly 80 feet through a series of rapids, carving a narrow, mile-long gorge with sheer walls. Protected by National Park Service lands on both riverbanks, the hike rewards you with breathtaking views of nature's power.—
NOTE: It is important to arrive by 9:15 or earlier as the parking lot fills quickly.
Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:15 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:30
Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders is Christa (410-610-6254) and Tim (202-744-0289). Call or text as needed.
Directions to Trailhead:
It is best to use the GPS coordinates. They will take you directly to the parking lot.
The GPS Coordinates are 39.017916, -77.246091The street address to the park is 8700 Potomac Hills Street, Great Falls, VA 22066.
We meet at the visitor’s center.
Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 10.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 800 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Bathrooms both at trailhead and Great Falls
Fees: no feesCancellation:
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.Notes:
-PLEASE RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. SHOULD YOUR PLANS CHANGE KINDLY UPDATE YOUR RSVP BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO FILL YOUR SPOT. IF YOU ARE ON THE WAIT LIST IT IS IMPORTANT TO SIGN OUT AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL NOT ATTEND BECAUSE MEETUP MOVES PEOPLE AUTOMATICALLY TO THE GOING LIST ONCE A SPOT OPENS. SIGNING OUT AFTER 6 PM WILL BE CONSIDERED A "NO SHOW" AND REPEATED INSTANCES MAY RESULT IN BEING BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE HIKES LED BY THIS ORGANIZER.
-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
Past events
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