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- Savage Park: Wincopin Trail Area! A Moderate 6.5 Mile HikeWincopin Trails - Savage Park, Jessup, MD
Savage Park: Wincopin Trail Area! A Moderate 6.5 Mile Hike
The Wincopin area, located between the Little and Middle Patuxent rivers in Howard County, Maryland, has a history that includes Indigenous people, colonial settlement, and a century of industrial quarrying. The name "Wincopin" is likely derived from a Nanticoke dialect of the Algonquin language, with the term meaning "bear." Today, it is primarily a forested area with an extensive trail system.
This hike takes us along the Middle Patuxent River to its merger with the Little Patuxent River. Within minutes of setting off, we will transport from one of the most densely populated suburbs in America to a lovely and peaceful woodland along these two former mill streams turned woodland. Thick woods, beech, oak, and poplar crowd either side of this beautiful trail. Much of our hike plan takes us along trails that are right up next to the stream.
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 39.150102, -76.834237
The Street address is 9299 Vollmerhausen Road, Jessup, MD 20794Contact 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: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 550 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: A portable toilet can be found near the trailhead
Fees: No entrance feeCancellation: 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. - In the Streets Festival-Frederick, MDThe Trail House, Frederick, MD
Come visit us in Frederick, MD at the In the Streets Festival on Saturday, September 13th. PATC will have a display set up in front of the Trail House (17 South Market Street).
*We are also looking for volunteers to assist with tabling at the festival. If you are interested in tabling during one of the time slots below, please email Dave at westpatc@hotmail.com.
Available Shifts:
10 am - 12:30 pm
12:30 pm - 3 pm
3 pm - 5 pm
