Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO)

C & O Canal Towpath N & S of Pennyfield Lock (ODH Training Hike)

Sat, Mar 7 · 9:00 AM EST

Pennyfield Lock, 12100 Pennyfield Lock Rd., Potomac, MD, US

Strenuous 19-mile, out-and-back, go-at-your-own pace, hike on one of the prettiest stretches of the towpath, with a 15-mile, out-and-back, option. Both hikes begin at Pennyfield Lock (mile 19.6). The 19-mile hikers go north, turn around at Mile Post 26, pass Pennyfield Lock, hike south to mile 16.6 (.4 miles past the Mile Post 17), turn around, and return to Pennyfield Lock. The 15-mile hikers go north, turn around at Mile Post 25, pass Pennyfield Lock, turn around at mile 17.5, and return to Pennyfield Lock.
Bring water, lunch or snacks, and sun protection. Dress for the weather. All participants must sign a liability waiver at the start. SCPRO requests a voluntary donation of $2 per person to help support our all-volunteer program.
Although open to all, this hike is part of a series of Saturday training hikes leading up to the One Day Hike (ODH)—a 100 or 50 km hike along the C&O Canal—on May 2, 2026. See SCPRO’s Meetup page for other training hikes as they are posted. If you would like to support the ODH, see volunteering opportunities and/or contact Mike Darzi (mike.darzi@gmail.com). For official updates regarding training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io.
Other training hikes will be posted on SCPRO’s Meetup page. If you would like to support the ODH, see volunteering opportunities and/or contact Mike Darzi (mike.darzi@gmail.com). For official updates regarding training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to onedayhike+subscribe@groups.io.
You need not be a Sierra Club member to participate, but if you'd like to join, go to: http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia .

Leaders: Russ Norfleet & Dave Torraca

Rachel Carson Greenway and Northwest Branch Trail

Sun, Mar 8 · 8:45 AM EDT

Burnt Mills West Special Park, 10716 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, MD, US

Join the Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (SCPRO) on Sunday, March 8 for a scenic 7-mile loop trail following the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River. The hike will proceed north from Burnt Mills West Special Park (Burnt Mills Reservoir) on the Rachel Carson Greenway Trail looping back on the Northwest Branch Trail.

Hiking conditions will be on uneven muddy terrain with elevation gains of 250 feet, offering nice views of the Northwest Branch of the Anacostia River.

We will rendezvous at the parking lot of the Burnt Mills West Special Park at 8:45 am (north side of Columbia Pike - route 29). The hike will go on [light] rain or shine. Meetup page will be updated with weather forecast the night before. Bring water, snacks, comfortable hiking shoes, and dress for the weather. Park entrance is free.

*** FIRST DAY OF DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME--PLAN ACCORDINGLY ***

Note: All participants must sign a liability waiver at the start.
Sierra Club requests a voluntary $2/person donation to support our many volunteer-led activities. You can become a Sierra Club member by clicking "join" on the Virginia Sierra Club's site: http://www.sierraclub.org/virginia

Leaders: Sean McCartney & Bob Mathis

Resources:

All Trails - Rachel Carson Greenway and Northwest Branch Trail

Rachel Carson Greenway

Northwest Branch Trail

NW Branch & Sligo Creek Trails, MD (strenuous) (ODH Training 10)

Sat, Mar 14 · 8:30 AM EDT

Wheaton Regional Pk Ice Arena, 11717 Orebaugh Avenue, Wheaton, MD, US

We’ll do a circuit hike of 15.5 or 21.7 miles (you choose) along two of the prettiest Maryland suburban-DC stream valleys—Northwest Branch and Sligo Creek. The short version of the hike is difficult and the long version is difficult-er. We will proceed as a group for the first seven miles of both hikes, after which, you may hike at your own pace.

This unusual, suburban wilderness hike will take you over natural-surface and paved trails, as well as a few stretches of sidewalk. The hike even includes some rock scrambling and sandy beaches, all with gentle elevation changes. Mud and/or ice on the trails have been known to occur.

Photo albums of previous versions of this hike.

MAPS & ROUTE NOTES:
See this folder for hike handouts that include directions, route notes & maps, GPX files, and area information. You should download or print these, especially if you are unfamiliar with the routes. There are also Google Maps for the short and the long hikes, to follow along on your phone's Google Maps app as you're walking.

WHEN & WHERE:
We’ll meet 8:30 AM at Wheaton Regional Park, in the parking lot in the lobby of the Ice Arena. Note that the park entrance for this location is at Orebaugh Avenue, off Arcola Avenue. Contact Mike (Mike.Darzi@Gmail.com) for a pick-up at a nearby Metro station.

WHAT TO BRING:
Bring food and drink (short hike, 2 qts; long hike, 3 qts); short hikers may also buy food along the way. You’ll proceed at your own pace and you may stop (or not) anytime to eat. This hike occurs rain or shine, cold or warm, so dress appropriately. However, in case of hazardous weather, please check here for last-minute changes before leaving for the hike.

LEADERS:
Mike Darzi (Mike.Darzi@Gmail.com) &
Sean McCartney (SeanEMcCartney@Gmail.com)

SIERRA CLUB
You may join the Sierra Club by clicking the "JOIN" button at the top of the Virginia Chapter’s website. Membership is not required for participation.

ONE DAY HIKE
Although open to all, this training hike is part of a series of Saturday training hikes leading up to the One Day Hike (ODH)—100 or 50 km along the C&O Canal—on May 2, 2026. See SCPRO’s Meetup page for other training hikes as they are posted. If you would like to support the ODH, see volunteering opportunities and/or contact Mike Darzi (Mike.Darzi@Gmail.com). For official updates regarding training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to OneDayHike+Subscribe@Groups.io