What we’re about
PATC hikes are an opportunity to understand the club and its important trail maintenance work. You do not need to be a PATC member to hike with us, but we hope you will consider joining after getting to know us. Come join us on the trails!
(PATC hikes are conducted by trained hike leaders. The hikes offer various levels of difficulty and distance).
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ABOUT PATC
The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a 100% Volunteer-Supported 501c3 non-profit formed in 1927 for the purpose of building and maintaining the Appalachian Trail (AT), a 2190-mile footpath from Maine to Georgia, the longest hiking-only trail in the world.
We are the Trail Guardians for over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia & Virginia, including 240 miles of AT. Our territory begins in Central Pennsylvania at Pine Grove Furnace, continues thru Maryland & West Virginia to Harpers Ferry and extends into the mid-point of Virginia, including the Shenandoah National Park. In addition, we maintain other regional trails, for a total of over 1,000 miles of trails, thousands of acres of land and more than 80 shelters and cabins.
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ABOUT THE HIKE PROGRAM
The first stated purpose of PATC is "to support and encourage the ... proper recreational use of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and other trails". This is done partly through the sponsorship of hikes on trails in PATC's area and on other trails.
The club has a wide-ranging hiking program which includes local area hikes and excursions into other geographical areas. Hikes can range from short, close-in day hikes to extended excursions. Hikes can be for physical conditioning, social interaction, nature walks, history lessons, to reach a viewpoint, or any of a number of purposes. The club encourages a wide variety of hikes, and provides training and support to hike leaders.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Thru, Chevrolet, Joe's, and Quarry Trail Loop 6 mile hikeWoodstock Trailhead, Woodstock, MD
Thru, Chevrolet, Joe's, and Quarry Trail Loop 6 mile hike
This hike is in the Patapsco Valley State Park- near Woodstock, MD. The hike (6 miles) starts off through rolling hills of forest and goes around an old quarry filled with reflective water surrounded by granite rock. We then return hiking along more forest and small streams. There are a couple of stream crossings. So poles are helpful but not necessary. Some areas can be muddy after rain, so you should wear appropriate boots. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00
Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 39.331021,-76.870569
The address is 1415 Woodstock Rd · Woodstock, MD 21163. Note: This address is for the Woodstock Inn. The parking for this hike is across the street. Park in Designated Parking Spots Only Because Some Parking Spaces are Reserved for the Inn and Towing IS Enforced.Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.
Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 450 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: No toilets are available on this hike
Fees: No entrance fees at this time of year
Cancellation: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.Weather: Check out the weather for this location.
Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-Find out more about PATC.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. - Glendenning Wildlife Sanctuary: A 5.8 Mile Easy Side of Moderate HikeGlendenning Wildlife Sanctuary, Lothian, MD
Glendenning Wildlife Sanctuary: A 5.8 Mile Easy Side of Moderate Hike
This wildlife preserve, a relatively small part of the larger Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, is a wonderful treasure located near Upper Marlboro. The hike starts at The Plummer House, an old farm house restored in 2007. The grounds include a few farm structures, including a picturesque old red barn. It also features a butterfly garden in the warmer seasons. The garden is the home to over 90 plant species and over 45 different butterfly species, and it is the center of a phenology citizen science monitoring project. The garden usually gets up and running in April. The hike itself travels through 620 acres of diverse habitat. Trails wander through open meadows, pine barrens, sand barrens, upland forest, and streams that lead to the Patuxent River. A boardwalk extends 460 ft through wetlands to Old Galloway Creek with a splendid view of the Patuxent River. The views from both the ridge overlooking the wetlands and from the wetland boardwalks are spectacular.
Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00
Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 38.80230, -76.69092
The address for this hike is 5702 Plummer Lane, Lothian, MD 20711. After turning off of Route, MD 4 (Southern Maryland Blvd) onto Plummer Lane, the entrance to Glendinning park is a couple hundred yards off to the right. Look for the sign.Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.
Details
Rating: Easy side of moderate
Distance: 5.8 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 250 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead
Fees: No entrance fee
Cancellation: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.Weather: The weather for this location can be found here.
Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here. - SNP Mount Marshall Loop Hike (Very Difficult)Gravel Springs Parking Lot, Front Royal, VA
This event is posted in 2 PATC Meetup Groups: "Charlottesville PATC Hiking and Trail Love" and "PATC Hikes and Events". I will keep an eye on both RSVPs and as everyone starts in Waitlist, coordinate a maximum. Please do not sign up to both.
12/27 - Update: Due to a horrible weather forecast, moving to Jan 4. All confirmed attendees can re-RSVP and please put "rescheduled" in the Question so I can move you right back into Going.
This hike is rated as VERY DIFFICULT.
Miles: 14.3
Elevation Gain: 2,780ft
Due to the elevation, it will feel like 17+ miles.
Maximum Number of Hikers: 6
Preference for PATC membersIf you have not hiked 15+ miles in a single day in the past 12 months, please do not consider this hike.
Please note that for Very Difficult hikes, everyone will begin in the Waiting List. Once I have verified that you have the ability to (1) complete this hike (2) in the winter and (3) in a reasonable amount of time, I will move you to Going. I hope everyone understands but it is important that one person doesn't negatively impact the group.
Details
This will be a great way to lose the calories from all the Christmas Cookies! The hike will cover South Marshall Mountain (3,212ft), North Marshall Mountain (3,360) and an overlook of Big Devils Stairs. The hike is a loop, so no shuttling will be necessary.- This is a Very Difficult Hike with over 14 miles of hiking and nearly 3,000ft of elevation gain.
- Our pace will be around 2.25mph
- Hike time will be about 6 hours
Notes:
- RSVP to attend hike. If your plans change, please update your RSVP.
- The PATC requires each hiker to sign a liability waiver, which will be available at the trailhead
- Please check Meetup the night before. I will cancel a hike due to unsafe conditions.
- Attendance is limited at the discretion of our hike leaders. PATC rules do not permit children under 18 years to participate in a hike without a parent or guardian present.
- Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. Club volunteers maintain over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, including 240 miles of AT (and the section we will hike!). For more information about PATC, please visit https://www.patc.net/
Hike Route & Info::
- PATC Map 9 (SNP North District)
Meeting Location/Parking:
- Gravel Springs Gap Parking Lot
- Skyline Drive Mile Marker 17.6
- GPS: 38.76790, -78.23351
- Meeting time: 8:45 to sign waivers
- Hike Start: 9:00
We will meet in the small parking lot off Skyline Drive. As there is no cellular service in this lot, please expect us to begin hiking on time, so please be early to allow time to sign the waiver.
Carpooling is recommended and we can use the Discussion below to coordinate.
Admission: This is a free event. Preference is given to PATC Members.
What to Bring:- At least 2 liters water, emergency contact information, medications, Cold Weather Gear (hat/gloves), Snacks, Backpack, trekking poles if you use them, sturdy hiking footwear.
- Microspikes
- Lunch for the trail
- If you are car pooling, a bag for your hiking shoes, clean clothes and deodorant.
- Please leave pets at home.
Cold Weather Hiking:
It could be very cold and windy at 3,000ft in the winter. Please dress accordingly.
REI has some great advice.Any questions, please ask!
