What we’re about
SCPRO is a special activities section of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter that organizes hikes and other events for the general public on behalf of the Sierra Club's Washington, DC chapter and the close-in groups of the Maryland and Virginia Chapters. No Sierra Club membership is necessary to participate. We welcome all people on a variety of outdoor adventures, nature walks, conservation outings, and exploration of our natural and regional history.
Sierra Club Virginia Chapter Events Calendar
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary HikeJug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD
To participate in this event, you must:
1: Read the liability waiver (officially, the Sierra Club Participation Agreement) http://bit.ly/3Qd4F1B
2: After tapping ATTEND at the bottom of this event,
3: Type "I accept" (the liability waiver) when prompted, & your first and last name, your contact cell number, and an emergency contact number
Example: I accept, Angela Calle, (240)485-8706, (240) XXX-XXXX
Join us! We'll hike 7.5 miles at an average 2 mph pace, with minimal elevation gain, enjoying this quiet gem of a park in Southern Anne Arundel County which is part of the Patuxent River watershed. We will delight in woodland trails, gentle slopes, meadows, fields, marshes, beaver dams and ponds, and gorgeous river views. Sections may be muddy. Wooden boardwalks and stairs are part of the terrain.
Wear trail shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring a daypack with water, electrolytes, snacks/ lunch, and sun/rain/insect protection. Hiking poles are optional.
There is a $6/vehicle fee to enter the park.
COVID-19 safety measures: The Sierra Club does not require masks or COVID vaccines to attend Sierra Club outings. However, if you have COVID symptoms, do not attend the outing. There may be both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants on Sierra Club outings.
A voluntary $2.00 donation per event or a $5.00 annual donation is requested. Your donation funds SCPRO leader training and administrative costs. Please donate using PayPal https://bit.ly/46jTw5Y. (If you don’t have a PayPal account, tap Sign Up and follow the prompts to sign up.) Log in to your account. Go to Send, enter ecommerce@sierrapotomac.org as the Recipient, enter the amount you want to send, use Family and Friends as the payment type, enter your payment method (PayPal balance, bank account, or credit card), review the details, and click Send Payment. There is no fee to send money domestically to friends and family from your PayPal balance or bank account.
You can become a Sierra Club member by clicking "join" on the Virginia Sierra Club website: http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia.
Leaders: Angela Calle, 240-485-8706, acalle41@gmail. com
Marcia Wolf, 301-448-7407, marcia.wolf.bus@verizon.net - ODH Hike: Carderock >< Great Falls on C&O Canal (easy)Carderock Pavilion, Bethesda, MD
Enjoy a lovely autumn walk of up to about 8.5 mi (easy) from Carderock to the Great Falls Overlook and the Tavern, then back along this scenic stretch of the Potomac River on the C&O Canal towpath, choosing your own pace and distance. You determine the distance by your turnaround point. Bring water.
The hike finishes just in time—and just in place—for an optional, yet hearty picnic. (See next item on the calendar.) Download a hike info sheet with map from here.
A CELEBRATION:
This hike and picnic have become an annual tradition in celebration of the One Day Hike (ODH). They are free and OPEN TO ALL, and you may join us for either or both. ODH hikers and volunteers from past, present, and future years are invited, along with family and friends. Our special thanks go to all the volunteers that help make the ODH a success.Photo albums of previous versions of this hike: 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009, 2008.
WHEN & WHERE:
We'll meet rain or shine at 9:15 am at the Carderock pavilion. From I-495 (Beltway), take Exit 41, Clara Barton Parkway west (Carderock), just north of the American Legion Bridge. After 0.6mi, take first exit (ramp on right). At top of ramp, turn left (Naval Surface Warfare Center is on the right), crossing over the parkway, and follow the short, curvy road (0.3mi) as it passes under the C&O Canal to its end. Turn left and park in the lot. The exact location is here.SCPRO DONATION:
A voluntary $2.00 donation per event or a $5.00 annual donation is requested using PayPal. (If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can create one by clicking “Sign Up.”) Send to ECommerce@SierraPotomac.org using “For friends and family” as payment type.You may join the Sierra Club by clicking "JOIN" on the website of the Virginia Chapter.
- ODH Picnic: Carderock Pavilion (Very easy!)Carderock Recreation Area Pavilion, Potomac, MD
Join us for the traditional picnic at the Carderock pavilion to celebrate this year's One Day Hike (ODH). We'll provide yummy sandwiches (including veggie) and chips, as well as paper and plastic ware; you bring your own water/drink and, if you wish to share, appetizers, side dishes, or desserts, with needed serving utensils. No alcoholic beverages, please. To save a little bit of the world, please bring your own washable plates, cups, and eating utensils. A $5 cash voluntary donation per person to cover the cost of the food is welcomed, but not required (see below).
You may first work up an appetite by doing an optional hike of up to 8.5 miles. (See previous item on the calendar.)
A CELEBRATION:
This hike and picnic have become an annual tradition in celebration of the One Day Hike (ODH). They are free and OPEN TO ALL, and you may join us for either or both. ODH hikers and volunteers from past, present, and future years are invited, along with family and friends. Our special thanks go to all the volunteers that help make the ODH a success.Photo Albums of previous ODH hikes/picnics: 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008.
WHEN & WHERE
We'll meet rain or shine at 12:30 pm at the Carderock pavilion after the hike. From I-495 (Beltway), take Exit 41, Clara Barton Parkway west (Carderock), just north of the American Legion Bridge. After 0.6mi, take first exit (ramp on right). At top of ramp, turn left (Naval Surface Warfare Center is on the right), crossing over the parkway, and follow the short, curvy road (0.3mi) as it passes under the C&O Canal to its end. Turn left and park in the lot. The exact location is here.DONATION:
A $5.00 per person voluntary donation to cover the cost of the food is welcomed using PayPal. (If you don’t have a PayPal account, you can create one by clicking “Sign Up.”) Send to ECommerce@SierraPotomac.org using “For friends and family” as payment type.You may join the Sierra Club by clicking "JOIN" on the website of the Virginia Chapter.
- Hike Along Rock CreekRock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium, Washington, DC
To participate in this event, you must:
1: Read the liability waiver (officially, the Sierra Club Participation Agreement) http://bit.ly/3Qd4F1B
2: Tap ATTEND at the bottom of this event,
3: YOU MUST type "I accept" (the liability waiver) when prompted, & your first and last name, your contact cell number, and an emergency contact number
Example: I accept, Barbara Southworth (703)722-5401 (240) XXX-XXXXJoin us! Enjoy a fall day in the wild heart of the city on a moderate 5.6 mile hike in Rock Creek Park, at a 2.5 mph moving pace, with 685 ft. of elevation gain. Delight in woodland trails, gentle slopes, and creek crossing amidst fall color. Sections rocky, may be muddy.
Wear trail shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring a daypack with water, electrolytes, snacks/ lunch, and sun/rain/insect protection.
Optional: Hiking polesMeet at the Nature Center (closed Mon. - Wed. - bio break may be available at the nearby Stable.)
NOTE: Rock Creek Parkway changes to two way traffic at 9:30 AMCOVID-19 safety measures: The Sierra Club does not require masks or COVID vaccines to attend Sierra Club outings. However, if you have COVID symptoms, do not attend the outing. There may be both vaccinated and unvaccinated participants on Sierra Club outings.
A voluntary $2.00 donation per event or a $5.00 annual donation is requested. Your donation funds SCPRO leader training and administrative costs. Please donate using PayPal https://bit.ly/46jTw5Y. (If you don’t have a PayPal account, tap Sign Up and follow the prompts to sign up.) Log in to your account. Go to Send, enter ecommerce@sierrapotomac.org as the Recipient, enter the amount you want to send, use Family and Friends as the payment type, enter your payment method (PayPal balance, bank account, or credit card), review the details, and click Send Payment. There is no fee to send money domestically to friends and family from your PayPal balance or bank account.
You can become a Sierra Club member by clicking "join" on the Virginia Sierra Club website: http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia.
Leaders: Barbara Southworth, 703.772.5401
Bob Mathis, 301-589-7539, rjmathis62@gmail.com
