Canoing, Kayaking, Rafting

You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, [https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf](https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf) and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike. This is a relatively flat five-mile hike with two short hills, elevation gain is 50 feet. Hiking pace while moving is about 2-2.5 miles an hour. Part of the trail is paved. Sneakers or hiking boots, can be some mud on the trail. Bring water and, if you like, a snack. Great hike for a beginning hiker. We stop midway for a snack. Please arrive a few minutes early to take attendance. No park entry fee. Hike leader: Anita DeAngelis 507-990-6055 No dogs permitted on this hike. DETAILS/DIRECTIONS: We will start near the first ballfield as you enter Wakefield Park, which is the first left (following a service road) after you drive off of Braddock Road into Wakefield Park. We will meet just off the parking lot for the ball fields, on the left side. Restrooms at this parking lot should be open. There also are restrooms 1/4 mile further down the park road at the Audrey Moore Recreation Center. We will walk to and around Lake Accotink with a stop about halfway at the marina where there are restrooms and water sources. Good place for a snack, if you want to bring one. GPS Coordinates: 38.814247, -77.224871

Solstice special; please note the 7:30 pm start time. Brisk, 3-to-4-mile urban hike starting and ending at Freddie's Beach Bar in Crystal City. After the hike, we will head to Freddie's for drinks, food, and karaoke. Closest metro Crystal City.

Join DC Metro Crafts for an additional meetup this month, this time in NW at the Cleveland Park library. It's about a block from the Cleveland Park metro. We'll be in the 2nd floor conference room. Bring your own cross stitch, knitting, crochet, or other portable craft.

Calling all Crew Members! 🚢 BBaddies On A Track! We will be meeting at 6am to hit the track. We will do a warm up and then a few drills and sprints on the track! We will also have fun and be in community!

**Ready to experience something unique?** *Join us for a scenic hike around Burke Lake.* *Safe, fun, facilitated space to not only enjoy nature together, move but also have deeper real conversations based on ice-breakers provided to go beyond small talk and allow a chance for a real connection❤️* **❗[RSVP for the hike HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991838842597?aff=oddtdtcreator)** **READ ALL DETAILS BELOW ⬇️⬇️⬇️ SEE PHOTO INSTRUCTIONS** Meet & Greet (social warmup) at 11:00 am Hike starts at 11:15 am sharp. Don't be late, plan accordingly! Especially, if you are unfamiliar with the area. **Put into GPS:** *Burke Lake Park Ice Cream Parlor* (don't use Meetup app GPS, it may take you to wrong location). **Parking**: Large parking lot in front of Ice Cream Parlor. **❗Donation based event:** Please bring $5-$10 cash or Venmo @Irena-Polyakova (1469) or Zelle (571-315-1469). **❗Possible Park Entry Fee $12 Cash for Non-residents of Fairfax County.** It is Free for Fairfax Country residents, have your license out ready to show proof at the checkpoint. There may not be anyone at the checkpoint to collect, just drive through. **❗MEETING POINT (SEE EVENT PHOTOS):** In front of Ice-cream Parlor. We wait till 11:15 am and then we start walking. **Trail entrance- SEE EVENT PHOTOS- (if you are late and need to catch up):** Enter the trail about 100 meters to the left if you are facing the Ice Cream parlor. Once on the trail, turn left, lake should be on your right. * All age groups * Hike is hosted by a [life & relationship coach](https://lovedandfulfilled.com/) and structured to encourage maximum of connections made. * Conversation icebreakers are provided to everyone to make starting a conversation easier & get out of the small talk. * This is a hike for singles. **Time:** 11:00 AM (Be on time) **Distance**: 4.7-mile loop, it will take about 1.45-2 hours, we will make a few stops. **Level**: Easy/relaxed pace. Shaded path under the trees. **What to bring**: Water. **Dogs are welcome! 🐶** [RSVP for hike HERE](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1991838842597?aff=oddtdtcreator) \*Event is weather dependent and could be rescheduled/cancelled\* **When you sign up to this event you are agreeing to**: *I release, indemnify, and hold harmless, Irena Polyakova, and all participants of the event, from any and all claims, demands, losses, and liability arising out of or related to any loss, injury, disability, I may suffer, to person or property, to the fullest extent permitted by law.* *Photos will be taken through out the event, if you don't want to be in them, notify the host ahead of time.*

Join us for an easy hike along the **Difficult Run Trail to Great Falls Park** and kick off your day with **great company** and engaging conversations! The trail is **mostly flat**, but a **246-foot incline within Great Falls Park** will give us a fun little cardio challenge. Don’t worry - we’ll pause at the top to regroup, hydrate, and catch our breath while soaking in the views. Whether you're here for the exercise, the scenery, or the chance to meet like-minded people, this hike has something for everyone! This trail is packed with sights: enjoy picturesque views along Difficult Run Stream and breathtaking overlooks of the Potomac River from up high. We’ll even come across a picnic table at the top of one incline, the perfect spot to rest, take in the view, and soak up some good vibes! Afterward, join us for an optional lunch at Mookie's BBQ to relax and unwind after our hike. **Meeting Time & Location** Meet at 9:30 AM at [Cross County Trail Access Point (Leigh Mill Rd & Kelso Rd)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/btDGQg7gphrVJdmB7). If you're running a bit late, you can catch up with us at the Difficult Run parking lot off Georgetown Pike - we’ll pass through about 30 minutes into the hike. **Distance:** 5 miles **Difficulty:** Easy (246 feet of elevation gain) This hike is rated Easy for its gentle terrain, wide paths, and manageable 246 feet of elevation gain. * **Easy Water Crossing:** Large stepping stones make the stream crossing simple and safe. * **No Rock Scrambling or Steep Climbs:** The trail has no steep rocky sections or scrambling required. * **Mild Inclines:** The mostly flat route includes a gentle 246 foot incline within Great Falls Park. **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** Plenty of parking is available. You can park off Route 683 by [Cross County Trail Access Point (Leigh Mill Rd & Kelso Rd)](https://maps.app.goo.gl/btDGQg7gphrVJdmB7) (be sure to park head-in, with your car clear of the street). Additional parking is on the shoulder of Kelso Road. The trailhead is at the intersection of Route 683 and Kelso Road, marked with a crosswalk. **Trail Map (AllTrails):** [Take a Hike! (DMV) - Difficult Run to Great Falls Park](https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/difficult-run-from-683-23fa71c) **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 an optional lunch after the hike at **Mookie's BBQ, 1141 Walker Rd, Great Falls, VA 22066**. It’s a perfect way to relax and unwind after our time outdoors!

Get ready for a fantastic evening! We’ll kick things off with a brisk 30-minute hike along the beautiful lakeside. Afterward, we can groove to a free concert by The Roadducks from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM. Be sure to pack your favorite lawn chairs, cozy blankets, and a delicious picnic spread! If you'd rather buy food there, you will also find tasty food trucks, ice cream, and refreshing 2 Silos beer available for purchase.

Explore the flora and fauna of two dredge islands in the Anacostia River, linked from the mainland by a boardwalk across Kingman Lake. The trails out and back are approximately 3 miles of easy if sometimes muddy terrain. We'll discuss history of the islands, ecological management, and DC's draft wildlife management plan. Great for birding and other critters, and possibly river otters. Bring hiking shoes, water, tick repellent, and weather appropriate attire. We will meet at the SE corner of RFK lot #6, nearest the entrance to the Park. It is possible to park at that location. Additional directions for metro, bus and bike here: https://www.kingmanisland.com/visit A voluntary $2 donation in exact change is requested to help support the Sierra Club outings program. The event will cancel if there is a steady rain.

(Bus hike) Explore a portion of the 199-mile blue-blazed Mason-Dixon Trail, which connects the Appalachian Trail with the Brandywine Trail. Long hikers start at Peavine Island and moderate hikers at Holtwood Dam on the Susquehanna River. We’ll take the trail northbound on the west side of the river past Lock 12 and through scenic Oakland Run Gorge. Both hikes end at the Otter Creek Campground, at the parking area where Otter Creek flows into the Susquehanna River. Est. 11 miles, 1600' elevation and 7.5 miles, 1400' elevation. Mason Dixon Map 5. Fare: $33 plus park fee or pass. Note: It is imperative that your RSVP includes both your phone number and where you’re boarding to give the leaders an opportunity to call you if you’re running late. **MD Boarding 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. * **[Grosvenor-Strathmore - Google Maps](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grosvenor-Strathmore/@39.0290866,-77.1038062,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89b7cc1d7517e10d:0x4dd38c36fee3d96d!8m2!3d39.0290866!4d-77.1038062!16s%2Fg%2F1hjh2tbt1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgwNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)**[ ](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grosvenor-Strathmore/@39.0290866,-77.1038062,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x89b7cc1d7517e10d:0x4dd38c36fee3d96d!8m2!3d39.0290866!4d-77.1038062!16s%2Fg%2F1hjh2tbt1?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDgwNS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D)Metro station at Tuckerman Lane off Rockville Pike in Bethesda (just north of the Beltway) Meet there by 8:15 a.m. Plenty of parking is available. **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** Most 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-19, FLU, & RSV PRECAUTIONS** Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event. **MORE DETAILS --** [SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE by](http://www.wanderbirds.org/faq.html)

Hi friends! Let’s go hiking together to Raven Rocks via Appalachian Trail near Bluemont, VA. (Event is subject to weather condition) **Address**: TRAIL PARKING/ MEETUP Location at Raven Rocks Trailhead: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Bu6kuWgabfLQA6C6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/9Bu6kuWgabfLQA6C6) **TRAILS:** We will follow this suggested route from alltrails.com: [https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/raven-rocks-via-appalachian-trail](https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/raven-rocks-via-appalachian-trail) Length: 5.3 mi Elevation gain: 1,515ft Route type: out and back Explore this 5.3-mile out-and-back trail near Bluemont, Virginia. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 3 h 6 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash. (Description from Alltrails.com) **PARKING NOTE & FEE**: Free parking on a **smal**l lot **CARPOOL**: Feel free to use the event comment section to find/give a ride (Host will not manage the carpool) **NOTE**! please note that cellular signal might be weak/lost in the trails area, so be sure to arrive at the meet up point on time We will wait for people about 5-10mins before starting the hike **Bear Chase Brewery** After the hike we will go to Bear Chase Brewery for lunch and hangout

The only Metro Park with a fire tower! **History** [Scioto Grove Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/scioto-grove/) officially became the 19th park in the Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks system when it opened to the public on May 6, 2016. Located along a scenic bend of the Scioto River in Grove City, just south of Columbus, the 620-acre park was designed to blend preservation with modern recreation. Long before it became a park, this river corridor served as a vital footpath and trade route for Indigenous communities. Decades later, the mature forests and dramatic river bluffs caught the eye of conservationists looking to expand regional green spaces. The grand opening was a major milestone, drawing over 19,000 visitors in its very first weekend. The creation of the park was made possible through a sequence of land acquisitions and strong community partnerships. In October 2009, Franklin County voters approved a critical property tax levy that funded the initial purchase of 66 acres. Shortly after, the City of Grove City generously donated nearly 193 acres of land, previously known as Talbot Park, to anchor the project. Additional parcels were acquired using state grants from the Clean Ohio Conservation Fund, successfully closing the gap between properties by December 2012. This collaborative funding model ensured that pristine wilderness areas remained completely protected from commercial development. From its inception, the park aimed to introduce innovative amenities to the regional park system, most notably the concept of "urban backpacking". Through a key partnership with the outdoor gear retailer REI Co-op, the park established the scenic REI River Trail. This trail features five rustic, reservation-only campsites along the river, specifically designed to give newcomers a safe place to practice backpacking close to home. Additionally, planners prioritized making the park fully pet-friendly, allowing leashed dogs across all trails and areas. This open-pet policy uniquely distinguished Scioto Grove from many other traditional Columbus Metro Parks. As the park grew in popularity, community members established special commemorative landmarks to honor local lives. In June 2019, a dedicated memorial garden was unveiled near the park entrance in memory of Reagan Tokes, an Ohio State University student. The serene space features a central pond bordered by bright blue flowers, representing her favorite color. A primary buckeye tree stands alongside a dedicated plaque, surrounded by four additional buckeye trees to represent her immediate family members. This addition transformed a portion of the park into a meaningful place for community reflection, healing, and peace. The historical depth of the park took a significant leap forward with the relocation of a massive piece of Ohio history. In August 2023, Metro Parks officially unveiled the Keystone Forest Lookout Tower, which had been carefully moved from Jackson County, Ohio. Originally constructed in 1942 by the Aermotor Windmill Company, the 82-foot-tall metal structure spent decades guarding southern Ohio’s vast forests from devastating wildfires. Workers painstakingly disassembled, re-galvanized, and reassembled the historic landmark at Scioto Grove. Today, visitors can climb its 111 steep steps to experience a panoramic view stretching all the way to the downtown Columbus skyline. **Map of the Park** Here is a [map of Scioto Grove](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SGR-map_1980px_2026.jpg). **Summary** We will hike around 5 miles on the Overlook, REI River, Mingo, and Arrowhead Trails. While the configuration of the trails can lead us to occasionally taking longer hikes than at other parks, Scioto Grove is not generally a very strenuous place to hike. If you use hiking poles and inadvertently forget them, this is not a park where you're likely to end up caring that much. That said, Scioto Grove is one of the better Metro Parks for hiking as well as other things. They are the only Metro Park with five camping areas where you can literally pitch a tent and sleep for the night. You must contact the park and reserve these in advance; they are however free. **Where We'll Meet** We'll meet at the Arrowhead Picnic Area, near the restrooms and playground. Arrowhead is the main picnic and parking area of the park, and it also has the only water fountain at Scioto Grove. **After the Hike** Afterward, we will head over to [Grove City Brewing](https://www.grovecitybrewery.com/) for [drinks and food](https://www.grovecitybrewery.com/menu). They have pretty good hamburgers. I was mortified to discover that I've never had their [Grove City Hooyah](https://www.beermenus.com/beers/486553-grove-city-hooyah) before, but I will correct that during this event. The actual address of the brewery is [3946 Broadway, Grove City, OH 43123](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3946+Broadway,+Grove+City,+OH+43123/@39.8836912,-83.0919635,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x88389b3a28d0f4ad:0x3d85c41f608406c6!8m2!3d39.8836912!4d-83.0919635!16s%2Fg%2F11g8dh6h1_?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI0MTAwOS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). We should be there by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to join us for drinks.

Join us for a beautiful walk in the park this Tuesday at 7 pm! We will hike two miles through the beautiful landscaped gardens of Inniswood Metro Park. Our trail will be a combo of boardwalks, dirt trails and paved paths winding through the flowers and woods.

Meet at the Maple Grove picnic area for a 4 mile hike at 18 min/mile pace.