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
15
Rock Creek Park Southern Loop
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, DC 20015, USA, Washington, DC, USRock Creek Park Southern Loop: A Moderate 6-Mile Hike
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES"
Join us for a scenic 6-mile loop through Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC. This moderate hike follows the Western Ridge and Valley Trails through wooded hills, alongside Rock Creek, and past several of the park’s historic landmarks. We will begin at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center and travel south past Pierce Mill, ascend toward the Pierce-Klingle Mansion, cross Rock Creek, and return along the Valley Trail. Along the
way, we will visit Pulpit Rock and Boulder Bridge before returning to the Nature Center.The route includes approximately 740 feet of elevation gain, with several climbs and descents. Expect uneven terrain, exposed roots, rocks, and occasional road crossings. We will maintain a moderate pace of 2.0–2.5 miles per hour, with short breaks along the way.
The hike should take approximately 3–3.5 hours to complete.
Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 AM for introductions and sign-in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00 AM.Directions to Trailhead:
Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium
5200 Glover Road NW, Washington, DC 20015
GPS Coordinates: 38.959953, -77.051673
Parking is available near the Nature Center. There are no entrance fees.Route:
View the Southern Loop on AllTrailsContact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions, and to arrange carpools. Call/text the hike leader (Jordy) if urgent for day-of questions or issues 301-821-0138.Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 740 feet
Pace: 2.0–2.5 miles per hour
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Facilities: Portable toilets at the Nature Center and restrooms at Pierce Mill, approximately 2 miles into the hike.
Fees: No entrance fees
What to Bring: Water, a snack, hiking shoes with good traction, and weather-appropriate clothing.Cancellation:
In the event of severe weather or unsafe trail conditions, the hike may be cancelled as late as the
evening before. Participants will be notified through comments on this Meetup posting.Weather:
The weather forecast for Washington, DC, can be found here. Please check the forecast before the hike and dress appropriately.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 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.
● All participants must sign the PATC liability waiver before departure.
● Please keep this a fragrance free event.
● Dogs must remain leashed at all times.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.13 attendees
Potomac Nordic Ski Club Ski Fair
Location not specified yetWhere: PATC Headquarters (118 Park St, SE, Vienna, VA 22180) just off Rt 123.
Description: Sign-up for your ski trips – bring your check book. See pictures of trips, talk with trip leaders, hear “snow” tales of incredible distances traveled in deep white stuff. Swap gear. Eat food (your potluck salad or dessert contribution appreciated), be happy. Fill out your trip applications before the Fair and bring them with you to save time. One application for each trip.
Cost: Free4 attendees
Blockhouse: A Moderate 5.5-Mile Hike Near Potomac, MD
Blockhouse Point Conservation Park & Trails, 14750 River Rd, Potomac, MD 20854, USA, Potomac, MD, USBlockhouse: A Moderate 5.5-Mile Hike Near Potomac, MD
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."
Set within the stunning Blockhouse Point Conservation Park—consistently ranked among the best natural areas in the Montgomery County Park system—this hike offers a rich blend of biodiversity and quiet history. As you hike, you’ll trek through mature upland and floodplain forests, passing tranquil streams and unique river-rock outcrops. The area is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and serves as a rare botanical haven, home to at least nine species of threatened or endangered plants. While the park’s rugged terrain once served as a strategic wartime transportation route for supplies, it remains a peaceful retreat today.
The park’s name and historical significance are rooted in the American Civil War, specifically the year 1862. Following the Battle of Antietam, the Union Army constructed a series of blockhouses—sturdy timber fortifications—along the bluffs to defend the vital Potomac River crossings and the C&O Canal from Confederate raids. These outposts were manned by the 19th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, who kept a watchful eye on the supply lines into Washington, D.C. While the site was high-stakes and strategically vital, it is a rare historical gem because it never saw an actual skirmish; the soldiers spent their time on picket duty and reconnaissance rather than combat.
The hike begins in the deep woodlands above the C&O Canal, in the shaded forest. We will stop at magnificent vistas along the way. There is one very steep downhill and one significant stream crossing so be prepared with proper footwear.
Time to Meet: Please meet at 8:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00. The parking lot fills up early, so please be on time.
Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 39.066148, -77.304770 .The Street address to the park is 14750 MD-190, Potomac, MD.
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: 5.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 528 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hourFacilities: There are no toilets on this 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.
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 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 attendeesVeach Gap 7 miles, 1300' Elev Gain
Veach Gap Trailhead, Veach Gap Rd, Fort Valley, VA 22652, USA, Fort Valley, VA, USJoin a Hike to Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence!
The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is a once-in-a-generation milestone, and one exciting way to mark it is to join a historic hike that connects you to the Revolutionary War.
Veach Gap is tied to a Revolutionary War-era road built by General George Washington’s forces. The Veach Gap Trail follows part of Morgan’s Road, an old roadbed constructed during the Revolutionary War. Washington ordered Colonel Daniel Morgan to build it as a potential retreat route in case the Continental Army was defeated at the Yorktown campaign. While the war ended in a decisive American victory and the retreat was never needed, the road remained in use for years as a local trade and travel route
- Purpose: Designed as a strategic escape route from Yorktown, linking the Continental Army’s position to the interior of Virginia.
- Construction: Built over the eastern ridge of the Massanutten Range, following a ridge line that offered a relatively direct path away from the Chesapeake Bay.
Veach Gap is a moderate out-and-back hike known for its scenic beauty and diverse terrain and is less than 8 miles with an elevation gain of 1200'.
This trail winds through the scenic George Washington National Forest, situated close to Fort Valley and Elizabeth Furnace, on the Massanutten Mountain. The terrain becomes increasingly rocky, providing a moderate challenge; you will encounter two stream crossings and observe a unique geological formation.
The planned hiking pace is 1.5 - 2.0 miles per hour.TIDBITS
· The rock formation is shaped like an upside-down ‘U’. This is called an anticline, and it’s a very unusual geological feature in our area.HIKING GUIDES: https://www.hikingupward.com/GWNF/VeachGapSouthForkOverlook/
DIRECTIONS/TRAILHEAD/PARKING**: SR 744/Veach Gap Road is off of SR 678, Fort Valley Road, and the Trailhead is 0.8 miles at the end of SR 774, Veach Gap Road.
AGENDA: We will follow the trail along Mill Run, and 1 mile in, we will encounter water crossings. When we arrive at the trail junction, the Tuscarora Trail veers off to the right; instead, we will head left, following signs for “Sherman Gap Tr." and we will be on the Massanutten Mountain Trail-orange and blue blaze. The descriptions from hiking guides state, "next 1 ½ miles are relatively uneventful, but eventually, the route briefly cuts sharply to the south and traverses a rock field that occasionally offers window views back toward** Fort Valley and Little Crease Mountain. A little over three miles from the trailhead, the trail will crest the Massanutten ridgeline. A short walk northward leads to the first of three overlooks. The second is slightly better, but the third and final vista is the winner: this is the so-called “The Point” Overlook**, named for the hairpin bend in the Shenandoah River visible more than 1,000 feet below. A large outcropping of rocks offers hikers a chance to take in the scenery. We will hike past the overlooks and turn around.
We will take a lunch break at "The Point Overlook".PARK FEES: None
WHAT TO BRING: The Ten Essentials. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and warm/cool layers. Bring plenty of water, snacks/meal, and trekking poles if you use them. Dress in layers. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/ten-essentials.html
I highly recommend bringing an additional pair of socks and gloves. There are water crossings.Wear "blaze orange," also known as hunter orange, a fluorescent orange color. This is essential for visibility and safety during hunting season, as it helps prevent accidents by making you distinguishable from game animals.
Please leave pets at home. Thanks!
Notes:
- 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.
Hike attendance is limited at the leader's discretion, and PATC rules strictly require children under 18 to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
12 attendees
Past events
400
