 Nov.-Dec. Abbreviations: AT = Appalachian Trail SNP = Shenandoah National Park GWNF = George Washington National Forest LEADERSHIP TRAINING SAT, November 7. Outdoor Leadership Workshop & Hike. For new and established outdoor leaders, this workshop and day hike discusses Leadership Types, Setting People Up For Success, and Modeling Behavior. It covers 8 miles and 1,500 feet of climb at a moderate pace in Shenandoah National Park! Instructor: Christopher Tate, SAT-SUN, December 5-6 Wilderness First Aid. This 16 hour class includes classroom study, hands-on practice, and results in a two-year certification. The cost is $125. Registration is limited to 25 people. More info at http://wfa.net Contact: Christopher Tate, (703) 836-8905. FOR THE YOUNGER ONES THURS. November 26 Great Falls Virginia, Difficult Run Loop. A scenic 4 - 5 miles at a moderate pace. Meet at Great Falls Va. Visitor Center at 10:00 am. $4 vehicle fee. Hank Comeau, (703) 451-7965 or hankcomeau@aol.com. OCTOBER 31 SAT Halloween Hike at Little Devils Stairs in Shenandoah National Park. A strenuous 8 mile hike along streams, rough and steep at times. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 7:30 am from the "bus" side of Park & Ride at Rt. 32 and Brokenland Parkway. Call Leslie at 301-854-0299 (lesliee@bellatlantic.net).
NOVEMBER 3 TUE Midweek Hike. For strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mountain trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes, (703) 451-5181. 7 SAT "Difficult Run" Loop, Great Falls, Virginia. A moderate six mile hike on the cliffs overlooking the Potomac River. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 9:30 am from the park & ride at Rt. 32 and Brokenland Parkway. Call Nelson at 301-497-9960 (price.nelson@epamail.epa.gov). Antietam Battlefield Hike. Moderate 7-8 miles through the historic battlefield and along Antietam Creek. Bring lunch and water. Admission charge at the information center. Rendezvous at I-70 and Security Boulevard Park & Ride at 7am. John at 410-780-8853 or jmurman@juno.com. Chrysanthemum Festival at Longwood Gardens. Near Wilmington, DE. See hundreds of blooming mums and enjoy a band concert while strolling through the outdoor gardens. Bring at least $45 for carpooling, admissions, and meals. Meet 9 am at Montgomery Mall under the deck; lunch at Longwood; optional supper stop on the return; return about 9:30 pm; reservations NOT required. Leader: Pat Hopson, (703) 379-1795 evenings before 10pm. Pennsylvania AT Tour '98 - Hike No. 7. An unscouted 10.1 mile hike, with about 1,500' of elevation change, from PA Route 645 to PA Route 183 on historic PA AT. Car shuttle required. Hike meets 7:30 AM. Leader: Robert Lovisa, (301) 593-5360, please call before 5pm, Nov. 5. Old Rag, Central SNP. A moderately paced 8.5 mile hike with 3,000 feet of ascent. Some tough rock scrambling near the top, with a gentle descent along fire roads and well-graded trails. For experienced hikers, group is limited to 20 people. Co-Leaders Nasrin Sorock and Polly Witmer. Contact: Polly Witmer, (703) 709-8071. 8 SUN Gunpowder River Hike. Moderate six or seven mile hike below the Prettyboy Dam. Meet at 11am at the Park & Ride on Deerco Road, near Padonia Road. Jack at 410-256-3963. Patuxent Wildlife Reserve Bike Ride. 18 mile rough ride over gravel, sand and some paved roads. Most have hybrid or mountain bike and a helmet. Patuxent policy requires signing a risk waiver for activities within the reserve. Depart Southwest Park & Ride at 10am. Jim at 410-719-1429. Get/Stay-Fit Half-Day Hike No. 1. Out-and-back on C&O Canal Towpath. Up to 4 hours on trail, covering 12-16 miles - or set your own pace. Meet at Fletcher's Boat House, 8 a.m. First in a series of fall/winter hikes every other Sunday morning, all out-and-back or circuit hikes based on trailheads within a half-hour of downtown DC, so you can get home for lunch, nap, football, etc. Leader: Paul Elliott, 10 TUE Midweek Hike. For strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mountain trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes, (703) 451-5181. 14 SAT Chimney Rocks Hike. 6 to 7 miles on the Appalachian Trail, side trails and fire roads in Pennsylvania. Look for deer and turkey, and enjoy the view from Chimney Rocks. Depart Ownings Mills Metro Station, Lot B at 9:30am.
Bird/Nature Walk. Short hike in the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge to watch waterfowl and other birds, and to learn about the area's ecology and natural history. Meet at 10 am at the Patuxent NWR Visitor Center. Bring binoculars and field guides, if available. RSVP Hans Christen, Wye Oak & Wye Island Hike. We will first visit the Wye Oak, Maryland's state tree and then do a 6 mile flat hike on Wye Island. Rendzvous at Southwest Park & Ride at 9:30am. Bill at 410-574-1453. Signal Knob Circuit. Moderate 10.6 mile circuit on Massanutten Mountain with 1,600' of gain. See where Confederate troops monitored Federal movements in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. Meet 8 am at Oakton Shopping Center on VA Route 123, one mile north of I-66. Leader: Frank Wodarczyk, (703) 569-6737 before 10 pm. Staunton River/Jones Mtn. 17 mile circuit hike with 3,000' elevation change on Staunton River & Jones Mtn. trails. Stops at Fork Mtn. & Bear Church Rock. Meet at Oakton Shopping Center at 7:30 am. Inexperienced hikers call for hiker requirements. Co-leaders William Needham, (703) 256-6735 and Jack Thorsen, (703) 339-6716. Sugar Loaf Mountain. Eight mile hike featuring rocky outcrops with sweeping views. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 8:30 am from the Park & Ride just north of I-70 on Rt. 32. 15 SUN Easy 2 Mile Walk through The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area in Columbia. Meet at 10:00am, 0.8 mile south of Rt. 108 on Trotter Road, at the gravel parking lot on the left (east). Optional restaurant lunch afterward. Call Sue at 301-498-8462. Gambrill Park Hike. 8 moderate miles in this ridge-top park in western Maryland. Depart the Park & Ride at Route 32 and I-70 at 8:30am. Kolman at 410-356-4655. Duncan's Knob. Moderate 8 mile hike and short rock scramble to Duncan's Knob on Massanutten Mountain. Bring lunch. Limited to 10 hikers. Co-Leaders Robert Lovisa and John Oster. Contact: John Oster, (410) 535-9682. Knob Mountain/Jeremys Run, Northern SNP. Strenuous 13 mile circuit hike for experienced hikers only. Leader: Bill Carey, (202) 237-8051, weeknights before 9 pm. 17 TUE Midweek Hike. For strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mountain trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes, (703) 451-5181. Sat. Nov. 21 Rated C. Catoctin Park, MD. 8.2 mile, 800 foot elevation gain, moderately paced circuit with views of the Thurmont area. Leader: Dan Ryan, 301-622-5259 before 9 pm. Baltimore Group Outing Committee Meeting. Outing leaders and potential leaders meet at 7pm to plan the schedule and discuss trail-related matters. Call John at 410-752-0104 or Kolman at 410-356-4655. 21 SAT Sugarloaf Moutain Hike. Another way. A two part hike consisting of a 7 mile loop around the base of the mountain using the less hilly horse trail...followed by an optional 2 mile climb to the summit (1282 ft.). Total mileage is 9 miles. Depart Deerco Park & Ride at 9am. Joyce at 410-254-7240. 22 SUN C&O Canal at Carderock. Easy 8.4 mile hike through woods and C&O towpath from Carderock. Leaves 1 pm. Must sign up. Leader: Laura Luftig, (703) 931-3977, eves before 9 pm. Get/Stay-Fit Half-Day Hike No. 2. Circuit Hike in National Arboretum. Twice around (11 miles) or only once - you decide. Meet in main parking lot 8:15 am. (gates open at 8). See Nov. 8 listing. Leader: Paul Elliott, Great Falls Billy Goat Trail. Fun 8 mile hike over the rocks by the Potomac River. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 8:30 am from the Dutch Farm Market in Burtonsville, on the west side of Rt. 29 at Rt. 198. Call Julie at 24 TUE Deadline for January-February Calendar. Please send submissions to Sierra Club Calendar, c/o Dirck Harris, 1602 Poplar Grove Drive, Reston, VA 20194, or via Internet (preferred) at dirckh51@mnsinc.com. Midweek Hike. For strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mountain trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes, (703) 451-5181. Thu. Nov. 26, Rated B. Great Falls Virginia, Difficult Run Loop. A scenic 4 - 5 miles at a moderate pace. Meet at Great Falls Va. Visitor Center at 10:00 am. $4 vehicle fee. Hank Comeau, 27 FRI Old Rag. Moderately strenuous climb to the top of Old Rag Mountain in Shennandoah National Park. Spectacular views Easy descent. For details call Jack at 410-256-3963. 28 SAT Gunpowder East Hike. Moderate 7 miles along scenic Gunpowder Falls from Harford Road to Pot Rocks. Some stream crossings and trail can be muddy. Bring lunch and water. Rendezvous at the Carney Park & Ride at 10am. Kathy at 410-828-0048. Potomac Heritage Trail. Work off the turkey with a moderate 10.4 mile hike on a varied trail on the Virginia side of the river from I-495 south to Rosslyn; close in and surprisingly wild. Meet at north end of Roosevelt Island parking area at 9:30 am. Leader: Dick Williams,
|
 Enough With the Turkey, Time for Poetry Hike. An 8.5 mile hike in northern SNP on the Piney Branch circuit. Bring poetry. Leftover turkey prohibited. Limited to 20 people. Leader: David Cheng, (301) 990-3689. White Oak Canyon in Shenandoah National Park. A strenuous 9.6 mile hike with a 2600 ft. elevation change, featuring several waterfalls in a hemlock gorge. Bring lunch, water, and good hiking shoes. Depart at 7 AM from Columbia. Limited to 15 people, so call Dave at 410-997-5672 (tdhu@hotmail.com) to sign up. 29 SUN Harpers Ferry, WV. Explore Maryland Heights on a moderate 7 mile hike. Following the hike, explore historic Harpers Ferry. A chance to work off all the extra food you ate on Thanksgiving! Meet at 9:00 am at Shady Grove Metro (west side nearest Rockville Pike). Leader: Bob Goldberg, (301) 540-2915, 6-9 pm. Robertson Mtn. Circuit Hike. Almost 5,000 of elevation change in 9 miles. Been up Old Rag 92 times? Climb something nearby that's rarely visited and see Old Rag from a different angle. Spectacular view for lunch (you'll earn it). Leader: Dirck Harris, (703) 787-3330 eves. before 9. DECEMBER 1 TUE Midweek Hike. For strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mountain trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes, (703) 451-5181. 4 FRI Full Moon Hike on the Mall. Discover beauty & tranquility of this Capitol City treasure at night. We will walk between 5 and 12 miles, as the spirit moves us. Children capable of walking 5+ miles are welcome. Meet at parking lot adjacent to Washington Monument in time for 7 pm departure. Do NOT park there - park instead on Constitution Ave. Bring water & flashlight. Leader: Jim Finucane (301) 365-3485. 5 SAT Southern Pennsylvania AT Series - Hike 4. 10.7 miles from Shippensburg Rd. to Caledonia State Park. Limited to 15 participants. Leader: Ray Abercrombie, (703) 569-2691. Nicholson Hollow/Hot-Short Mountain. 10 mile circuit hike in Central SNP with 2,000' elevation change. Leader: Bill Carey, Big Schloss. Moderate 11 mile hike to Big Schloss. Bring lunch. Limited to 10 hikers. Co-Leaders Larry Broadwell and John Oster. Contact: John Oster, (410) 535-9682. 6 SUN Cunningham Falls/Catoctin Mtn Circuit, Thurmont, MD. Moderate to strenuous 11 mile circuit hike with 2,000' gain. Leader: Frank Turk, (301) 249-8243 before 10 pm or FrankTurk@aol.com. Get/Stay-Fit Half-Day Hike No. 3. Circuit Hike in DC's Potomac Park. Meet at 8 am. Call for details. See Nov. 8 listing. Leader: Paul Elliott (703) 256-6351. Billy Goat Trail, Great Falls, MD. A moderately paced 4 mile hike along the C & O Canal towpath and Billy Goat trail near Bear Island. Bring food, water, and be prepared for a good bit of rock scrambling. Meet at parking lot opposite Old Anglers Inn on McArthur Blvd at 8 am. Co-Leaders Hank Comeau and Polly Witmer. Contact: Polly Witmer (703) 709-8071. Terrapin State Park, Kent Island. Easy 2-mile walk on the beach by the Bay Bridge, picking up trash. If it's a warm day, bring lunch to eat on the beach; otherwise we will have lunch at a restaurant. Depart at 9:00 AM from the "bus" side of Park & Ride at Rt. 32 and Brokenland Parkway. Call Sue at 301-498-8462. 7 MON MWROP Leader Chow-Fest. For current & prospective leaders. Enjoy good food and company between bites of the area's best pizza! Radio Free Italy, Old Town, Alexandria, VA (call for directions). Contact: Christopher Tate (703) 836-8905. 8 TUE Midweek Hike. For strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mountain trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes (703) 451-5181. 12 SAT Sunrise Breakfast Picnic. Enjoy sunrise above the Potomac near Great Falls while sipping on a hot cup of coffee after a short hike. Bring food, mug, instant hot chocolate, tea, or coffee, and water. Stove and pot will be provided. Meet 2 hours before sunrise in College Park. For details call Hans Christen, 301 847 1911. Loch Raven Hike. 6 mostly flat miles in the Lock Raven Watershed. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Carver Center for the Arts, #938 York Road at 10am. Clint at 410-235-5835. Pocosin Hollow & Slaughter Trails. 16 mile circuit with 3,000' elevation change in central SNP with stop on Bear Fence Mtn. Meet at Oakton Shopping Center at 7:30am . Inexperienced hikers call for hiker requirements. Co-Leaders William Needham (703) 256-6735 and Jack Thorsen (703) 339-6716. Dark Hollow Falls - Rose River. Rated C. 6 mile hike in central section of the SNP. Limited to 20 hikers. Leader: Sam Rosenberg, Seneca Creek State Park. A moderate 4.5-mile hike around Clopper Lake, through woods and meadows.Bring lunch and water. Depart at 13 SUN Frederick Watershed Hike. 8 moderate miles in the Fishing Creek Watershed on fire roads and connection trails. Expect ice, snow or mud on the trail. Bring lunch and water. Depart the Park & Ride at Route 32 and I-70 at 9am. Kolman at 410-356-4655. Sugarloaf Mountain. Briskly paced 8 mile circuit with 1700' gain. See sweeping views from rocky outcrops and help the leader and a mystery guest celebrate their recent birthdays. Meet 9:30 am at Shady Grove Metro Parking Lot #1. Leader: Frank Wodarczyk, (703) 569-6737 before 10 pm. Beaver Loop, Prince William Forest Park, Virginia. Moderate 7.5 mile hike through woods along the Quantico Creek. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 9:30am from the "bus" side of Park & Ride at Rt. 32 and Brokenland Parkway. Call Julika at 410-997-5364 (abond@csc.com). 15 TUE Midweek Hike. For strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mountain trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes (703) 451-5181. 19 SAT Chesapeake & Delaware Canal Hike. We will first visit the Canal Museum, then hike 8 flat miles along the C&D Canal. Dinner stop after the hike. Bring lunch and water. Depart the White Marsh Park & Ride at 10am. Bill at Christmas Time at Harpers Ferry. Enjoy the holiday season at historic Harpers Ferry. 6 mile hike will scale Maryland Heights for spectacular views of Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, as well as the narrow streets of the historic district. Meet at Leesburg Plaza Shopping Center on Rt. 7, Leesburg, VA at 9 am. Leader: Glenn Gillis, (703) 430-0568. 20 SUN Panther Branch and Gunpowder River Hike. Moderate six or seven mile hike. Lunch at Raven Rock Falls. Meet at 11am at the Deerco Park & Ride near Padonia Road. Jack at Blockhouse Point, Montgomery Co. Easy 6 mile flat circuit with good post-fall views of the Potomac. Leader: Dan Ryan (301) 622-5259 before 9 pm. Get/Stay-Fit Half-Day Hike No. 4. Out-and-Back Hike on Mount Vernon Trail in Alexandria. We'll meet at 8 am. Call for details. See Nov. 8 listing. Leader: Paul Elliott, McKeldin Area, Patapsco State Park. Four mile hike along the Patapsco River, past McKeldin Falls. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Bagel Bin in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center for a 10:00am departure. Call Ken at 301-725-3306 (kclark@excalib.com). 22 TUE Midweek Hike. For strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mountain trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes, (703) 451-5181. 27 SUN Patapsco Valley Hike. Purge holiday stress with a 10 mile circuit in Patapsco State Park along river and ridge with many stream crossings and one swinging bridge. Meet at the Southwest Park & Ride at 9:30am. Difficult Run to Riverbend Nature Center by way of Great Falls. Got them post-Christmas blues? Ate too much? Work them/it off with an easy 10 miles along 180 million year old Mather Gorge on a close in local hike. Leader: Dirck Harris, (703) 787-3330 eves. before 9. 29 TUE Midweek Hike for strong hikers who enjoy a vigorous workout on beautiful mtn. trails. Leader: Cliff Noyes, (703) 451-5181. JANUARY 1 FRI New Year's Day HIke. Short 4-5 mile hike in Oregon Ridge Park. Meet at the Nature Center Parking Lot at 12:30pm. John at 410-752-0104. 5th Annual New Year's Day Hike Along C & O Towpath. Start the New Year right with a 10 mile walk along the Towpath. Meet at Wisconsin Ave at Canal, south of M Street in Georgetown at 9:30 am (2:30pm, Greenwich Mean Time for you slugabeds). We will walk along the Towpath to the Little Falls Pumping Station, enjoy whatever mast, browse, or other comestibles you've brought along, and return to Georgetown. Leader: Walter Wells, (202) 362-0250, mornings or evenings before 10 pm. 3 SUN Rockburn Branch Park. Easy 2-mile walk, with optional restaurant lunch afterwards. Depart at 10:00am from the Park & Ride at the Long Gate Parkway exit off Rt. 100, just east of Rt. 29. Call Sue at 301-498-8462. 9 SAT Greenbelt Park. Hike 5 easy miles through woods along creeks. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 10:00am from "bus" side of the Park & Ride at Rt. 32 and Brokenland Parkway. Call Nelson at 301-497-9960 (price.nelson@epamail.epa.gov). 16 SAT McKeldin Hike. Moderate 6 miles in the McKeldin area of Patapsco State Park. Expect ice and/or snow on the trails. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Route 32 and I-70 Park & Ride at 10am. Kolman at 410-356-4655. ANYTIME Cross Country Ski Trips. We will ski locally when there is enough snow. A trip to western Maryland and western Pennsylvania is planned sometime in January or February. For details call Jack at 410-256-3963. |
