Equestrian Camping

Join us in celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) by riding your bicycle along any one of several segments between Harpers Ferry and Wilmington, Delaware, from March 22 through April 2. The rides range in length between 16 mi and 41 mi, traveling on packed gravel of the C&O towpath, level off-street paved multi-use trails, and paved roadways. The following are some, but not all of the trips that are open for registration by using the AMC Outdoor connector website, [https://activities.outdoors.org](https://activities.outdoors.org). Search for events by choosing the Potomac Chapter or AMC 150 as Program Type. 3/23/26, Whites Ferry to Great Falls 21 mi 3/27/26, National Mall to Hyattsville 14 mi 3/30/26, W.B.A Trail from Bowie to Baltimore Harbor 25 mi 3/31/26, Greenway Trail from Baltimore Harbor 16 mi 4/1/26, Baltimore to Havre De Grace 41 mi 4/2/26, Perryville Maryland to Wilmington Delaware 40 mi [About the AMC 150th Relay](https://www.outdoors.org/AMC150/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=sfmc&utm_campaign=May+2025+VR+Newsletter&utm_content=5/15/2025&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.outdoors.org%2fAMC150&email_audience=Volunteers%20AMC%20-%20Auto%20Refresh): Since 1876, AMC has connected people to the outdoors through recreation, education, and conservation. In 2026, we celebrate 150 years of that legacy with the AMC 150th Relay—a 1,500-mile journey from Virginia to Maine. Each leg of the relay contributes to a continuous route across the Northeast, showcasing the diversity of AMC’s outdoor legacy. Join the celebration by participating in a relay segment, attending a local event, or sharing your AMC story. Together, we’ll honor the past and shape the future of outdoor adventure.

**Leader**: Owen **When**: Sunday, March 22, 2026, 7:00 AM **Address**: 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854 **Subject**: Nature, Waterfalls, and Wildlife **Where**: Meet at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center **Breakfast**: Following the shoot, we will meet at Tally Ho Restaurant, located at 9923 Falls Rd, Potomac, MD 20854. **Bring:** Your camera gear, a sturdy tripod, and a variety of lenses. A wide-angle lens is excellent for capturing the expansive falls, while a telephoto lens is ideal for isolating details in the water or photographing birds and other wildlife. Don't forget a circular polarizer and neutral density (ND) filters if you want to experiment with long-exposure water effects. **About:** The Maryland side of Great Falls, part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, offers some of the most dramatic views of the Potomac River as it drops 76 feet through a series of jagged rocks and rapids. The area is renowned for its rugged beauty and the engineering marvel of the C&O Canal.

(Bus hike) Hikers today will have the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful views of the Page Valley from the highest point in the Park. Long hikers start at Tanners Ridge Overlook where they take the fire road to connect to the AT, on which they bear north towards Hawksbill Summit. Moderate hikers start at Fisher’s Gap and take the AT north. All hikers ascend to the summit of Hawksbill on the Salamander Trail where they stop to admire the view before continuing on the Lower Hawksbill Trail back to the AT and to Little Stony Man parking lot. Est.: 12 miles, 2200' elevation and 9 miles, 1750' elevation. PATC Map 10. Fare $33 plus park pass or fee. VA Hikes * **[DC: Near 17th and K St. NW](https://bit.ly/17thandKnu)** downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8 am. * **[Vienna Metro: NORTH parking lot](http://bit.ly/vienna-bus)**, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Park at 9486 Virginia Center Blvd, Vienna, VA 22181 * * Caution: The "south" parking lot also has bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of Wanderbirds hikers, you may be in the south lot. There's a walkway that passes the fare gates over I-66 to the north lot. RESERVATIONS Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(7) non-profit, and the public is invited on all hiking trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Saturday, but reserving as early in the week as possible helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. FIRST-TIME HIKERS If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike. **Liability Waiver:** Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions. CANCELLATION POLICY To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before NOON on the Friday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued. Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead. COVID PRECAUTIONS Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event. MORE DETAILS -- [SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](http://www.wanderbirds.org/faq.html)

Join us for a spring picnic at the Arboretum! Please bring a food or drink item to share and a blanket to sit on. We will meet at the New York Ave parking lot and walk over to the columns. 13 min walk. (see photos) Well behaved leashed dogs are welcomed. Tucked in Northeast DC, the U.S. National Arboretum offers a serene escape into nature, filled with botanical beauty, stunning history and iconic attractions like the Bonsai & Penjing Museum and the Capitol Columns. The Arboretum is located at 3501 New York Avenue NE in Washington, DC. It's easy to reach by car, as the grounds are located approximately 10 minutes from the U.S. Capitol Building. Parking is readily available, or you can use Uber or Lyft. Visitors can also arrive via Metrorail or Metrobus and plan their route using Metro's Trip Planner. Several bus routes make a stop right at the entrance.

Questions/lost? Call 240-447-4796 Meeting location - https://maps.app.goo.gl/NMF8mkAu3tuWe7V66 https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/maryland/seneca-creek-greenway-to-clopper-lake-loop 5.7mi Length 318ft Elevation gain Loop This popular trail in Seneca Creek State Park travels around Clopper Lake. Mountain bikers, runners, and dogwalkers share this trail, which is a great way to get out in nature. The park has lots of wildlife to spot, including deer, turtles, cardinals, and snakes. Parking is available along the road near the trailhead. There is additional parking around the lake, as well as restrooms.

**Details** Get ready to hit the trails at Turkey Run - this is a shorter version of our Turkey Run hike at just 3.6 miles. This hike is a bit challenging, with a couple of **stream crossings**, and a couple of **significant elevation gains** (a total of 377 feet of elevation gain). Ideal for **intermediate hikers**. The trail includes shallow stream crossings, adding some fun technical elements along the way. We’ll take regular breaks to regroup, hydrate, and enjoy the scenery. **Hiking shoes are a must -** the trail is slippery, and the extra grip of hiking shoes is essential for safety. Also, don’t forget your **hiking poles**; they’ll be helpful at the stream crossings. After the hike, join us for a social gathering at **Chiang Mai Thai Cookhouse (6828 Old Dominion Dr., McLean)** to unwind, grab a bite, and enjoy time with fellow hikers. **Meeting Time & Location** Meet at 9:30 AM at Turkey Run’s Parking Lot C-1. **Distance:** 3.6 miles **Elevation Gain:** 377 feet **Difficulty Level:** Intermediate Hike (challenging stream crossings) This hike features moderate inclines and **challenging stream crossings** over slippery rocks. Hiking poles are recommended for added balance and stability. **Estimated Duration:** 2.5 hours This hike is expected to take approximately **2.5 hours**, which accounts for breaks, stream crossings, and group pace. **Pace:** Moderate Pace A steady, comfortable pace that’s manageable for most hikers with a reasonable fitness level. Breaks are regular but not overly frequent, allowing for a balanced experience of exercise and enjoyment. **Parking** Park in Turkey Run’s **Lot C-1,** where there's plenty of room for all. Grab a spot, lace up, and get ready to hit the trail! **Trail Map (AllTrails):** [Take a Hike! @ Turkey Run (north)](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/map-july-28-2025-ee492a6?u=i&sh=ylk43q) **Bathrooms** There are no bathrooms available on this hike. Please plan accordingly. **Age Requirement:** Children under 18 are not permitted. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. **Dog Attendance** For everyone’s comfort and enjoyment, we kindly ask that you leave your dogs at home for this hike. Thank you for understanding! **Lunch After the Hike** Join us for a casual lunch at **Chiang Mai Thai Cookhouse (6828 Old Dominion Dr., McLean)**. Free parking is available in the garage off Beverly Rd.

Join Sarah and Willow for a walk at the Arboretum! We will meet at the Visitor Center Parking at 9:00am and plan to go for an hour and half walk. We will start by heading past the visitor center to the field where all the fruit trees are. There should be some flowers blooming so we will check those out! Then we will head to the magnolias and do a big loop to end up back at the Capital Columns. Time: 9:00am - 10:30ish. Plan on getting there a little early so we can be ready to go on time. Location: Visitor Center Parking lot by R street entrance What to expect: This walk will be on leash. Don't forget to bring water for you and your dog. The walking surface will be a mix of paved road and grass/dirt. More info and directions here: https://usna.usda.gov/visit/hours-and-directions/

Join us for an exploratory hiking trip to Montgomery County, Maryland's newest park to celebrate World Water Day. *Water is life!* Royce Hanson Conservation Park at Broad Run was created to protect the Broad Run watershed, its unique geology, rare plants and wildlife, and diverse habitats. This 475-acre park hosts approx. 5 miles of natural surface trails and offers park visitors the unique opportunity to explore this valuable natural landscape through various recreational opportunities with interactions with the rich cultural heritage present across the park. Bring water, lunch, snacks, sturdy footwear, and about $8 for transportation and the Adventuring trip fee. Meet at 10:00 a.m., at the "west side" of the Rockville Metro station Kiss & Ride to form carpools. This is the side with the pedestrian bridge over Hungerford Drive, MD-355. After our hike, we may make an optional stop at Cugini's Restraurant in Poolesville, Maryland. *-RSVPs for this hike will open 2 weeks before the event.-* ***\*\*-> Please [click here](https://adventuringlgbtq.com/Adventuring_Release_Form.pdf) to review our release form. When you RSVP to an event, you affirm that you have read and agree to the terms of the release.***

It will supposedly get into the mid-70's by Sunday afternoon, so Joe and I are heading out to the newly reopened Rocky Gorge Reservoir. We'll put in at Supplee Lane and head upstream, doing between 3-4 miles and ending up back at the same spot. The water temperature is still in the mid 40's and will murder you if you fall in for more than a few minutes. But that's why you always paddle with friends who can lend a rescue assist. Still, you ABSOLUTELY need to be wearing 100% synthetic-fiber clothing and I STRONGLY recommend packing a spare set of clothes in your dry bag. This is event is suitable for kayaks and canoes (but not inflatables). WSSC does not allow paddle boards on their reservoirs and has been getting more serious about enforcement. If you've got a seat attachment for your SUP and can paddle it sitting down, I think you're in the clear. As always, you must WEAR, not just carry your life jacket/PFD. **WSSC requires a watershed use permit.** Permits are $6.25 per day or $72 for the year. I heard that they increased the fine for not having one to $100. You can purchase them online at: [https://my.wsscwater.com/selfcare/views/public/login/login.faces](https://my.wsscwater.com/selfcare/views/public/login/login.faces)

Join WQC for our monthly Queer Birding outing at Shale Hollow Park! No gear or experience necessary. March 29 from 9-10:30 a.m. (Location/event may change if weather does not cooperate.) Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeOAdQlIaKro1dFCgfp26IcwsaxQjzbYMZVQ7mLg3dViQDrsQ/viewform

WQC has weekly Thursday night social nights at the Westerville Java Central. Come and grab a coffee and connect with the community: low stakes, chill environment, and tasty drinks. No registration is required; come as you are.

Join us for the Spring edition of [Nature Loving Fest](https://www.facebook.com/events/895148649812928), a small, thoughtfully curated outdoor gathering celebrating vegan eats, handmade goods, and the beauty of the season. Formerly known as our Vegan Pop-Up, this new chapter reflects what the event has always been — a space rooted in nature, community, and intentional living. Expect around 20 local vendors offering seasonal vegan eats, small-batch bakes, handcrafted goods, and earth-conscious products. Come support local makers, share good food, and celebrate the beginning of a new season with us. Admission is Free.

Ciao a tutt\*! Let's meet Monday at 6.30pm at the Upper Arlington Library (**Tremont** Branch) in **Meeting Room A** to speak in Italian for 1 hour. Keeping Monday for consistency but we can discuss if there are better days/times/locations!