Trails

We'll be doing the Harris Teeter/NIH loop only through the winter

Early riser? Need to get your run in before the kids are up and the busy-ness of the day sets in? Join other early morning runners at the CAVA in Bowie, 15480 Annapolis Rd. The group meets at 5:30am and promptly sets out for a 3-5 mile run along Annapolis Rd. It's best if you arrive a few minutes early. **\*\*This is a regularly scheduled run and Kim, the run-host, does not check RSVPs on meetup. New runners are encouraged to email membership@pgrc.org for more info, prior to coming out.**

## Details Hello everyone! We climb at Crystal City Movement every Monday. Please read rest of the description carefully. We mostly do tope rope climbing but we can arrange bouldering sessions as well. If you prefer lead climbing please post on the comments to find your belay partner. \#\# Requirements * If you are not a Movement member, you'll get a daily pass. If you don't have the equipments you can rent them in the gym. * Please sign the waiver through: [https://movementgyms.com/waiver/](https://movementgyms.com/waiver/) * You can get a discounted day pass and free rental gear if you say you are here for my meetup All skill levels are welcome! If you are totally new to climbing and want to do top rope, then you have to have a belay certificate. In order to do that; * You can check Movement gym Intro to Rope Climbing class : [https://movementgyms.com/crystal-city/climbing/classes/](https://movementgyms.com/crystal-city/climbing/classes/) * After the course, you should do the 'Belay Check' which can be done as soon as 24 hours after you take the class. The test takes around 15 mins so it can be done before the climbing session. Before your first visit you may want to check the related webpage: [https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/](https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/) \#\# Where to meet To find us go down the stairs in front of the front desk. We will meet around the benches next to climbing walls.

Climbers of all skill levels are welcome! To join us: 1. Complete the [participant agreement](https://movementgyms.com/participant-agreement/). 2. Pass the belay check, which can be done the same day. See [FAQs](https://movementgyms.com/first-visit/#faqs) for more info. 3. Pay for [gym membership or day pass](https://movementgyms.com/memberships-passes/). The event itself is run by volunteer organizers free of charge. If you are interested but have never belayed before, please take the [Introduction to Rope Climbing](https://movementgyms.com/rockville/calendar/#activity=climbing&location=rockville&class-type=intro-series&area-of-focus=safety-and-belaying) class first. We'd love to climb with you as soon as you know how to belay safely using a GriGri. To find us, go past the front desk and turn left. We'll gather by the fitness room entrance. If you need a refresher on knot tying and/or belaying, please post in comments or message the host and we'll be happy to help. We normally top rope in groups of 2-3 people, but some are also happy to lead. Post in comments or ask on the spot if you are interested in leading.

📚 Do you love reading, but wish you had a structure and a community to share your insights with? Join our small circle of curious minds (just 4 members per gathering) as we come together for an hour of focused reading—in the calm setting of a library or the cozy atmosphere of a café. Here’s how it works: First part: Quiet reading on your own—bring a book you’re exploring, whether it’s philosophy, history, psychology, literature, or anything meaningful to you. Second part: We regroup and each person shares key takeaways, insights, or questions sparked by their reading. This sparks a structured yet free-flowing conversation around ideas, perspectives, and personal reflections. Why join? Add structure to your reading habit. Discover new books, authors, and ideas through others’ choices. Build real connections by sharing and listening deeply. Socialize around something meaningful instead of small talk.

Let's check out the Washington and Arlington Blvd trails **Route:** * Start at Pentagon City Metro Station * Walk along South Hayes St * Take left on Army-Navy Drive * Turn right onto S Joyce Street * Turn left onto Columbia Pike * Take right onto Washington Blvd. Trail * Merge onto Arlington Blvd. Trail * Turn left onto N Rhodes Street * Turn left onto 14th street * Continue onto 15th street * Take left onto Clarendon Blvd. * Merge onto Fairfax Drive * End at Ballston Metro Station **Millage:** 5.5 miles **Start Location:** Pentagon City Metro Station **End Location:** Ballston Metro Station **Directions:** https://maps.app.goo.gl/MyfsmmsQNtH1JVSQ6 **Time:** 5:30PM-7:30PM **Terrain:** This will be moderately hilly (344 ft elevation gain), on paved or gravel ground \-\-\- We try to be punctual with our event times so please be respectful to others and show up a few minutes early, because we will leave without you.

• What we'll do The Hike: Approximately 10.5 miles out-and-back at your own pace on gravel and paved surfaces (possibly some muddy or slick spots), with an optional extra 1.7-mile loop around Lake Elkhorn in Columbia, MD. In the course of the hike, we’ll cross the last remaining Bollman suspension truss bridge in the US and walk along the scenic Little Patuxent River valley. Also, we’ll once again offer an optional lunch stop at McDonalds next to Lake Elkhorn. • What to bring This is winter hiking at its finest: bring a bag lunch or heavy snacks, water, and dress for the weather; warm caps or hats, gloves or mittens, water-resistant footwear with good traction and a dry spare pair of socks are recommended. Since public rest facilities are in short supply, bring extra cash to patronize any business whose facilities you use. Meet: 10 am at Exxon/Tiger Mart/Wendy’s, corner of US 1 and Gorman Road in Savage, MD, via I-95N exit 38A, MD 32 east and then US 1 south to Gorman Road (allow 1 hour from downtown DC). To check whether inclement weather or dangerous trail conditions will cancel this hike, visit this site after 6pm on January 26. • Important to know Each person must sign a liability waiver in order to participate. Also, Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings requests a modest donation ($2 per person would be nice) to help defray expenses of our all-volunteer program. You need not be a Sierra Club member to participate, but you may become a member by clicking "Join" on the following site: https://www.sierraclub.org/virginia Although open to all, this hike is part of a series of Saturday training hikes leading up to the [One Day Hike](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/events/297686196/) (ODH) on 20 April 2024 —100 or 50 km along the C&O Canal. See SCPRO’s [Meetup page](https://www.meetup.com/sierrapotomac/) for announcements of other training hikes as they are posted. If you would like to volunteer to help support the ODH, contact Mike Darzi ([mike.darzi@gmail.com](mailto:mike.darzi@gmail.com)).If you would like to support the ODH, look for the "volunteer opportunities" entry on meetup for 20 April. 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.

**Park map / MD Bus** _$36. Long hike: 12 mi., 1300 ft. ascent. Moderate hike: 9 mi., 1100 ft. ascent._ It’ll be hard to believe you’re in Montgomery County – the suburbs of Washington, no less – on this autumn winner in Seneca Creek State Park. Our hike, much of it in forest, starts at Black Rock Mill and heads east on the Seneca Ridge, Greenway and Long Draught Trails. Near Clopper Lake, moderate hikers take the Great Seneca and Old Pond Trails to the Visitors Center. Long hikers add a circuit around Clopper Lake on the Lake Shore Trail, then follow the moderate hikers to the Visitors Center. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- RESERVATIONS Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night 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. We don't want to leave you behind! Because this is a paid event, we cannot offer a waitlist should the hike fill up. If spots subsequently open up, they will become immediately available to anyone and everyone. 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 at least a 2 mph pace. BUS STOPS: MARYLAND ROUTING Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Grosvenor bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps): * **[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. * **[Connecticut Ave. and Porter St,, NW, northeast corner](http://bit.ly/ConnecticutPorter)**. Bus briefly stops at the curb in front of the Broadmoor Apartments to pick up hikers about 8:10 a.m. * **[Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St., NW, southeast corner](http://bit.ly/ConnecticutMcKinley)**. Bus stops at the bus shelter in front of the Safeway to pick up hikers about 8:20 a.m. * **[Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, North Bethesda](http://bit.ly/Grosv_Metro)**. Bus stops at the bus shelter nearest to Metro Station walkway entrance between the station and the parking garage about 8:30 a.m. LIABILITY By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike. CANCELLATION POLICY To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before 12PM the Thursday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued. MORE DETAILS -- **[SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](https://www.capitalhikingclub.org/hikes-faqs)** for answers to questions such as these and many more: * What should I bring on a hike? * Can things be left on the bus during the hike? * When will the bus return to the metro Washington DC area? * Can I drive my car and meet the bus at the hike destination? * Are dogs allowed on hikes?

Trail Mix: Worship on the Move on the W&OD Trail Tuesdays \| 6PM \| Meet at the Picnic Tables @ Vine \(2501 Gallows Rd\) Step out onto the W&OD Trail for a unique worship experience that blends scripture, prayer, movement, and creation. Walk, jog, or run at your own pace as we encounter God outdoors—and share trail mix together when we return. All are welcome. Come ready to move, breathe, pray, and be surprised by the Spirit. thevineva.org

We meet on Sundays at 8 a.m. for training runs on some of DC's best trails, including Rock Creek Park and the surrounding area. We typically meet at either Peirce Mill in Rock Creek Park, or Roosevelt Island, depending on the route. Details of the weekly schedule can be found here: https://new.vhtrc.org/runs/sip We hope you can join us for a run! All paces and levels of trail experience are welcome for these runs, which range in distance from 6 to 9 miles.

This is the third hike of a preparation/progression series that builds up to the AMC 150 Relay segment scheduled for 3/29/26. That relay segment will be 8.3 miles. This third hike in our preparation series is six miles in length (out and back). It’s a flat rail trail on a section of the WB&A Trail, so it is rated as easy. Feel free to join with no commitment to doing the relay segment or any other hike in this series. All participants must register individually for the hike at [https://activities.outdoors.org](https://activities.outdoors.org/) so that the waiver is signed and an emergency contact is provided. No dogs. We will meet at the parking lot [location available upon registration]. The WB&A Trail is a converted rail-trail, converted from an electric commuter railway that served Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Annapolis. The trail winds its way between Prince Georges County and Anne Arundel County, offering a mix of woods, water, and residential communities along the asphalt path. A bridge across the Patuxent River was completed in Spring 2025, now linking Prince George’s County and Anne Arundel County. (We will not see the bridge on this 6-mile hike.) The trail offers a peek behind the curtain of suburbia, with marshy wetlands, woods, bridges and tunnels, along with some trail sections that pass through residential neighborhoods and some road crossings. A bit about the AMC 150 Relay: we’re celebrating AMC’s 150th Birthday! From March to October, volunteers from AMC are offering events galore—a succession of hikes and other outdoor activities from Virginia to Maine, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the organization’s founding in 1876. Though historically rooted in New England, over time AMC has expanded and established regional chapters through the Mid-Atlantic, including today’s host, the Potomac Chapter.

Let's take this traditional Adventuring winter hike (previously nicknamed The Ice Hike). Not just waterfalls and more waterfalls, these will be some of Shenandoah’s most iconic. This hike is part of the Hike All the Named Waterfalls in SNP series (number 4). If you’re into waterfalls, this is surely the best hike in all of Shenandoah National Park. If the falls are iced over, then this hike upgrades to transcendent. There will be nine waterfalls in all, ranging from a series of gorgeous cascades to the spectacular Upper and Lower Whiteoak Canyon Falls. For the water to fall so dramatically, the terrain must be steep; we will be ascending and descending next to where the water is falling. We'll take plenty of short stops to savor the views (to catch our breath and to take those all-important selfies). With its 8.5 miles length, and 2306 feet of elevation gain, this circuit route is very strenuous. Also, be prepared for two shallow stream crossings on the return leg along Cedar Run, so leaving a pair of dry sox and street shoes in the car is recommended. Bring lunch, 3 liters of water, and sunscreen, and be sure to wear waterproof hiking boots with good treads (the path is steep and rocky and those rocks can be slippery). Dressing in layers is essential. You will be peeling them off and adding them back on throughout the day. Packing a set of ice traction cleats or crampons is suggested, but not required. This ice gear must not be worn on wet rocks, where it becomes a hazard. If you carpool, transportation and trip fees will be $20, which includes the $5 Adventuring fee (paid by all) and $15 for your driver. Also factor in the cost of our restaurant stop on the return. This is a full day hike. We'll meet for forming our carpools at 8:30 a.m. at the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride parking lot. We will make a convenience pit stop half way to the trailhead (Sheetz). We may return as late as 9 p.m. 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.

Hi ladies. Let's hike the multi-purpose trail - approximately 4 miles. Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area.

Meet in the Maple Grove Picnic area. If trail conditions are poor, we will use the Multipurpose Path.

We'll hike about 2.5 miles on the Scioto Audobon Trail and can extend the distance as the group prefers. Will ask one of the faster regulars to take the front (about 16 minute miles) and I’ll bring up the rear at about 19 minute miles. No one left behind. Those who wish can join for lunch at Nocterra after the hike. Note: There is a $5 gift card on the Nocterra site if you provide your email and birthdate.

***(She loves me!)* A Brief History of Quarry Trails** [Quarry Trails Metro Park](https://www.metroparks.net/parks-and-trails/quarry-trails/) traces its origins to a vast limestone quarry operated by the Marble Cliff Quarry Company starting in the early 20th century. The site, located along the Scioto River west of downtown, supplied crushed stone for local construction projects and roads throughout central Ohio. Operations peaked mid-century, with massive excavation creating deep pits and steep cliffs that reshaped the landscape. By the 1980s, demand declined, and the southern section of the quarry closed (with the northern section of the quarry remaining in operation to this day by a separate company), leaving behind scarred terrain and abandoned equipment. Environmental concerns arose as the area became a dumping ground and off-road playground for locals. Columbus Metro Parks began eyeing the property in the 1990s for potential reclamation into public green space. In 2015, Metro Parks acquired the initial 180 acres from the quarry's owners, marking a pivotal step toward transformation. Thrive Companies, a local developer, partnered in the deal to build adjacent housing while funding park improvements. Cleanup efforts removed tons of debris, stabilized cliffs, and addressed water quality in the flooded quarries. Planners envisioned a mix of adventure and preservation, incorporating the site's industrial remnants as features. Community input from nearby Grandview Heights and Hilliard residents shaped early designs. The project gained momentum with state and federal grants supporting habitat restoration. The park officially opened its first phase in November 2021, featuring 3.5 miles of trails, a waterfall overlook, and climbing walls on the quarry faces. Visitors quickly embraced the unique terrain, with mountain biking loops and a 25-foot waterfall drawing crowds from across the metro area. Metro Parks added a canoe/kayak launch on the Scioto River, connecting to the city's broader trail network. Dog parks and picnic areas rounded out the amenities, making it a year-round destination. Expansion continued with land acquisitions pushing the total toward 600 acres. By 2023, the park hosted events like guided hikes and birdwatching tours. Ongoing development includes a planned adventure center with zip lines and more extensive single-track trails set for completion in the coming years. Metro Parks collaborates with conservation groups to plant native species and monitor wildlife returning to the reclaimed quarries. The site now serves as an educational hub, with interpretive signs explaining its quarrying past and ecological recovery. Local schools incorporate field trips to study geology and restoration science. Quarry Trails exemplifies Columbus's shift from industrial reuse to innovative urban parks. It stands as the newest addition to the Metro Parks system, complementing favorites like Scioto Audubon and Highbanks. Today, Quarry Trails continues evolving, with future phases adding connections to the Olentangy Trail and more water access points. Annual visitor numbers have surged, boosting nearby businesses in the evolving west side neighborhoods. The park's success has inspired similar reclamation projects elsewhere in the region. It highlights how Columbus balances growth with green space preservation. Residents enjoy a one-of-a-kind spot that honors the area's gritty history while offering modern recreation. Quarry Trails remains a testament to community vision and adaptive reuse in our city. ***(She loves me not.)* A Briefer History of Valentine's Day** The origins of Valentine's Day trace back to ancient Rome and the festival of Lupercalia, celebrated in mid-February to honor fertility and purification rites. During this raucous event, young men drew names of women from a box in a matchmaking lottery, often leading to pairings or marriages. By the late 5th century, Pope Gelasius I officially replaced Lupercalia with St. Valentine's Day on February 14 to Christianize the pagan holiday. Although several early Christian martyrs were named Valentine, the most commonly associated figure is a 3rd-century Roman priest who secretly married couples against Emperor Claudius II's ban on young men marrying, believing single soldiers fought better. Legend claims Valentine was imprisoned and later executed on February 14, around 269–270 AD. The romantic associations with Valentine's Day emerged much later, during the Middle Ages. The pivotal moment came in the late 14th century when Geoffrey Chaucer, in his poem "Parlement of Foules" (c. 1381), linked St. Valentine's Day with courtship, writing that birds chose their mates on this date. This literary connection spread rapidly among the English and French nobility, transforming the saint's feast day into a celebration of romantic love. By the 15th century, lovers began exchanging handwritten notes called "valentines," often containing verses or simple declarations of affection. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Valentine's Day became increasingly commercialized, especially in England and later the United States. The introduction of printed valentines in the 1840s, pioneered by Esther Howland in America, turned personal notes into mass-produced cards adorned with lace, ribbons, and Cupid imagery. Factories began producing elaborate cards, and the tradition of giving flowers (especially roses), chocolates, and jewelry took hold during the Victorian era. Today, February 14 is one of the most widely celebrated secular holidays worldwide, generating billions in spending on cards, candy, flowers, and romantic dinners. While still officially the feast day of Saint Valentine in some Christian traditions, the modern version has largely shed its religious roots in favor of universal expressions of love and friendship. From ancient fertility rites to global commercial phenomenon, Valentine's Day has evolved dramatically over two millennia while retaining its core focus on human connection. ***(She loves me!)* Map of the Park** Here is a [Map of Quarry Trails](https://www.metroparks.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Quarry-Trails_JUNE-2025_1980px-Web.jpg). ***(She loves me not.)* Summary** For this hike, we'll do a loop of the park. This will be about four miles. Now, this won't be one of our longer hikes. However, in my experience, Quarry Trails tends to wear people out more quickly than other parks. I suspect this is because most of the trails are either paved or heavily graveled (no surprise at a park which abuts an active stone quarry), with some elevation changes along the way. ***(She loves me!)* Where We'll Meet** Quarry Trails has multiple entrances, but none of them are connected internally within the park. So you must drive to the correct one for this event. Set your GPS to [2319 Quarry Trails Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026](https://www.google.com/maps/place/2319+Quarry+Trails+Dr,+Hilliard,+OH+43026/@39.9998462,-83.0873077,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891dd76f5eedf:0xf1cb9d34c1069580!8m2!3d39.9997868!4d-83.0872621!16s%2Fg%2F11y17k0ms5?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), or use the map pin I've provided here. Do not just type "Quarry Trails" into Google Maps and expect it to take you to the correct place. It probably won't. We will meet in the parking lot of the Lake Area. The best entrance to this parking lot will be your first left off of Quarry Trails Dr after Gunnison Dr (which will be on your right). I recommend taking a few minutes and looking at Maps before you head out to make sure you know where you're going. ***(So walk with me...)* Restrooms and Water Fountains** There are a few port-a-potties sprinkled throughout the park (including two at the parking lot we'll be meeting at), and the Park Office, roughly in the center of the park and which we'll pass twice on this hike, has restrooms and a water fountain. This is the only water fountain, though, at Quarry Trails. ***(At Trails Quarry!*)** **After the Hike** Afterward, we'll head over to [Johnnie's Tavern](https://johnniestavern614.com/) for [drinks](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhAulLarLYZC3hY_vRGwoakV!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSzkwnMN29-lrgzp50Rzeaq5jXCGM1xLS1poH0Mc52-E9NYBvdS99ei7zGmlAYJZyk8OeNW5YvS7agj8M2Bom4ri1m_-NcJiT-LQUDphkS-SB5Vq8JhO-8NSP-_m80HeLz4-pGhjrwhuBKSv%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D) and [food](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Johnnie's+Tavern/@39.993202,-83.0903169,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sCIABIhB5lD4Uly_4O9BjNH4r3ywB!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh3.googleusercontent.com%2Fgps-cs-s%2FAG0ilSy7tQcc7CtCeuUAKwEVJoxtOs8Ycohjy3mGZZOC_kJVdB8wEaGuC4-p5z_jxn2JnpmSEkh_HG7Aok_ZPEgmK57rEBqNIPH8J5tiyAP5vbrRYkUso_fKTkW5vJc47UusNoGiRzs2Vf0m1JcV%3Dw146-h195-k-no!7i4284!8i5712!4m7!3m6!1s0x883891c4d61ba04d:0x5134f225cbf678bf!8m2!3d39.9932439!4d-83.0902078!10e9!16s%2Fg%2F11c1p57s3t?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D). Its actual address is [3503 Trabue Rd, Columbus, OH 43204](https://www.google.com/maps/place/3503+Trabue+Rd,+Columbus,+OH+43204/@39.9932491,-83.090227,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x883891c4d6199677:0x1fda03b0add81e7c!8m2!3d39.9932491!4d-83.090227!16s%2Fg%2F11c14yf3m6?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTExMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D), and it's only about a five minute drive from where we'll be parked at Quarry Trails. We should be at the tavern by 5 if you can't make the hike and just want to meet us for drinks.