About us
“Not all who wander are lost.”
--J.R.R. Tolkien, “The Riddle of Strider”
For 90 years, the Wanderbirds Hiking Club has been leading adventurous souls into the mountains, forests and valleys of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania every Sunday all year long. Our day hikes are suitable for hikers of every age, shape, size and hiking level, whether experienced or beginning.
Wanderbirds travel to our hikes by either Metro, carpool, or chartered bus, and sometimes simply meet at a trailhead. For every hike, we provide experienced hike leaders, red arrow trail markers and trail maps for a “moderate” (7-10 miles) and “long” (10-13 miles) hike, plus social time with post-hike refreshments. Most of the time, both easier and more challenging hikes can be arranged. Bus hikes start by picking up hikers near 17th & K Streets (Farragut Square) in downtown DC; a second stop varies between Vienna and Grosvenor metro stations, depending on the hike destination.
*** Find the complete quarter's hiking schedule by going to www.wanderbirds.org ***
Upcoming events
3
- $33.00
Hike: Trout Pond Recreation Area, WV
17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USSign up link (please remember to fill in your required RSVP info):
https://www.meetup.com/wanderbirds-hiking-club/events/316285327/?slug=wanderbirds-hiking-club&eventId=315563131Trout Pond, created by massive limestone sink holes, is West Virginia's only natural lake, nestled in a little-visited area of mountains, streams and more sink holes. Hikers start at Trout Run Valley Road and ascend west onto the Long Mountain Trail to the junction with Trout Pond Trail. Moderate hikers turn onto the Trout Pond Trail and continue on Chimney Rock Trail to skirt around Rockcliff Lake in the Trout Pond Recreation Area (TPRA), terminating at the lake shore near the camping area. Long hikers continue on the Long Mountain Trail, making rights onto Trout Pond Road and Trout Pond Trail, and descend to enter the TPRA from the south. There is swimming at Rockcliff Lake near the end of the hike. Est.: 12.5 miles, 2500' elevation and 8.5, 1500' elevation. PATC Map F. Fare: $33.
VA Hikes
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW 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, 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 (30 min/mile) pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike with us.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 twelve noon on the Friday before the hike, a refund will not be issued (but a 'rain-check' may be possible).
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hikers are implored to change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.FLU, COVID-19, and RSV PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
6 attendees - $33.00
Hike: Appalachian Trail, “Roller Coaster”, SNP, VA
17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USHike sign-up follows. Don't forget to fill in you name, mobile number, and boarding location.
https://www.meetup.com/wanderbirds-hiking-club/events/316312334/?slug=wanderbirds-hiking-club&eventId=315563131Roller Coaster Section of the A-T from Morgan Mill Road to Snicker’s Gap.
This scenic hike gets its name from its almost continuous ups and downs as the A-T passes through several ecosystems from Ashby Gap to Snickers Gap . Long hikers begin at the junction of routes 605 and 649 and follow Morgan Mill Road to the A-T. Long hikers go right on the A-T and follow it to Piney Ridge where they turn around and head north, and follow the A-T as it crosses Morgan Mill Road, passes Buzzard Hill and its slightly obscured views of the surrounding area, and arrives at Sam Moore shelter, where they can enjoy lunch with moderate hikers. Moderate hikers start at the parking lot at Snickers Gap where they take the blue blazed connecting trail to the A-T and go left (south) and ascend the A-T to Bear Den Rocks and its striking wintertime view of the area. After enjoying the view, moderate hikers continue on the A-T as they cross Sprout Run creek on their way to Sam Moore shelter where they can join long hikers for lunch. All hikers then head north on the A-T to the views at Bears Den and the bus at Snickers Gap. There are numerous ways to make this hike longer or shorter by turning around either after or before the designated turn around points. The shortest hike could be 2 miles and include Bears Den Rocks. An extra long hike of 14 miles is possible from Ashby Gap to Snickers Gap. Long. Est.: 11.5 miles, 3200’ elevation; Moderate:7.5 miles, 2,300; numerous hikes from 2-14 miles. PATC Map. Fare: $33.
VA Hikes- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW 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, 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 (30 min/mile) pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike with us.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 twelve noon on the Friday before the hike, a refund will not be issued (but a 'rain-check' may be possible).
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hikers are implored to change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.FLU, COVID-19, and RSV PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
3 attendees - $33.00
Hike: Crescent Rocks/Skyland, SNP, VA
17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USSign up link (please remember to fill in your required RSVP info):
https://www.meetup.com/wanderbirds-hiking-club/events/316285962/?slug=wanderbirds-hiking-club&eventId=316285962This hike explores the area that was most frequently visited in what is now Shenandoah National Park, but what was formerly the grounds of Skyland Resort. All hikers start at the Crescent Rocks overlook between the 44- and 45-mile markers on Skyline Drive. They will begin together by crossing Skyline Drive to the Crescent Rocks Trail, and continue on the Limberlost and White Oak Canyon Trails to a horse trail. From there they will take the horse trail past a fire road and go towards the Skyline Drive, crossing it to reach the north entrance of Skyland Resort. Moderate hikers will continue on the Appalachian Trail going south through the resort area and eventually returning to Crescent Rocks. Long hikers will take the AT north past the Little Stony Man overlook to the junction with the Passamaquoddy Trail, take the Passamaquoddy Trail to the path leading to the lodge at Skyland Resort, take a brief roadwalk to the stables, and from the stables take the AT south to Crescent Rocks. Note that both hikes offer the opportunity to visit Skyland itself, where one can purchase drinks and snacks, use the facilities, and read about the history of the resort, beginning with its origins in 1888.. Est.: 11 miles, 1900' elevation and 7.5 miles, 1500' elevation. PATC Map 9. Fare $33 plus park fee or pass. Note: there is usually a sufficient number of pass holders to cover all bus passengers.
VA Hikes
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW 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, 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 (30 min/mile) pace. New hikers are required to first complete a moderate hike with us.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 twelve noon on the Friday before the hike, a refund will not be issued (but a 'rain-check' may be possible).
Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hikers are implored to change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead.FLU, COVID-19, and RSV PRECAUTIONS
Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event.MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
3 attendees
Past events
172
