What we’re about
“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 (4)
See all- Hike: Sweet Run State Park, VASweet Run State Park, Hillsboro, VA$5.00
(Trailhead hike) Sweet Run State Park is the most recently created state park in Virginia. It contains a network of trails over gentle, rolling terrain, chiefly meadow and field, with the ruins of old farms and a sizeable pond. All hikers will go in a loop along the various trails within the park. Long hikers will in addition take an unofficial but well-cleared connector trail to the Appalachian Trail and go there-and-back for a mile each way. Est.: 12 miles, 1800' elevation and 8 miles, 800' elevation. Park map. Fee: $10 plus park fee.
Trailhead meetup: Sweet Run State Park, 10:00 AM Trailhead point: 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Hillsboro, VA 20132
Carpooling and rides to the trailhead: Carpools are organized by participants, not hike leaders. If you need a ride or wish to carpool, feel free to contact other participants via a message on meetup.
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.
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.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: If deer hunting is in season, bright-colored clothing is recommended. The trails are well-used, but we should try to make matters as easy as possible for hunters. Although hiking boots are not necessary, your footwear should have good traction. There are a few fair-weather stream crossings and trails can be muddy in some places.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITENot open - Hike: AT: Pine Grove to Boiling Springs, PA17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC$30.00
(Bus hike) This hike will take us on a section of the AT with numerous rolling hills and panoramic overlooks, eventually going past the historic Carlisle Iron Works Furnace and ending at Boiling Springs, notable for the its high incidence of 19th-century architecture and the lovely Children's Pond. Long hikers start where the AT crosses Pine Grove Rd near Tag Run Campground. Moderate hikers start where the AT crosses Route 94. All hikers follow the AT to historic Boiling Springs, PA and to the bus at Children’s Lake. Est. miles: 11.5 miles, 3000 ft. elevation and 8.5 miles, 1800 ft. elevation. . PATC Map 1 and 2-3.
Pick up points:
- 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.
- Grosvenor 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.
Wanderbirds Hiking Club is a 501(c)(3) 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
- Hike: Robertson Mountain, Corbin Hollow, and Corbin Mtn., SNP, VAOld Rag Parking (Ranger Station), Etlan, VA$5.00
(Trailhead hike) Spectacular views from the top of the mountain await hardy souls as reward for the steep 1800 feet climb. From Nethers, both hikes ascend the Weakley Hollow Fire Road before ascending steeply on the Robertson Mountain Trail to the mountain summit. After coming down on the other side of the mountain, moderate hikers take the Corbin Hollow Trail and Weakley Hollow Fire Road to the bus. Meanwhile, long hikers take the Old Rag Fire Road, Corbin Mountain Trail, and Nicholson Hollow Trail to the bus. Hikers that want to avoid the rigors of Robertson Mountain have the option of going up on the Corbin Hollow Trail and down on the Old Rag and Weakley Hollow Fire Roads for a circuit of 9 miles. Est.: 11 miles, 2700 ft. elevation and 8.5 miles, 2300 ft. elevation. PATC Map 10. Fare: $30.
Trailhead meetup: Old Rag Parking Area, SNP, 10:30 AM Trailhead point: Old Rag Parking Area, Etlan, VA 22127
Carpooling and rides to the trailhead: Carpools are organized by participants, not hike leaders. If you need a ride or wish to carpool, feel free to contact other participants via a message on meetup.
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.
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.
ADDITIONAL NOTES: If deer hunting is in season, bright-colored clothing is recommended. The trails are well-used, but we should try to make matters as easy as possible for hunters. Although hiking boots are not necessary, your footwear should have good traction. There are a few fair-weather stream crossings and trails can be muddy in some places.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE
