Wanderbirds Hiking Club

Monday, January 2—Great Falls and Riverbend Parks, VA
  TRAILHEAD Hike

Meet at Difficult Run Parking Area, 8801 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, Virginia, at 9 AM. Parking area is on left of Rte. 193, about 3.6 miles west of the Beltway. Great Falls is the outstanding scenic feature of the Washington area. Hikers start at the Difficult Run parking area and do a double circuit including Riverbend as well as Great Falls Park. Those hikers desiring a shorter hike can just do the circuit to Great Falls and back and skip the trek up to Riverbend Park. All hikers, including those who do both circuits as well as those who do only the Great Falls circuit, return to the Difficult Run Parking Area.

January 8—Ft. Duncan, VA
  CARPOOL Hike

This unique hike will be predominately bushwhacking or on old unmaintained civil war era roads. It will feature the 16 cannon Fort Duncan, two old houses (one lived in circa 1845, one decrepit circa 1885), some forward fortifications, a limonite iron mine, an obscure but beautiful viewpoint of the Potomac, Maryland Heights and the C&O canal.

January 15—Frederick, MD
  CARPOOL Hike

This hike will explore the historic city of Frederick. It is an urban hike, but will be away from traffic except for 3 miles of both hikes in downtown that is on sidewalk adjacent to traffic. It goes through several city parks: across the Hood College campus, along the canal in downtown Frederick and around Mount Olivet cemetery. Interesting parts are downtown Frederick with novelty shops, plenty of places to eat/drink, National Museum of Civil War Medicine (open to 5 pm on Sundays), Barbara Fritchie House (closed to the public), the cemetery (which includes Confederate Row, and the Francis Scott Key monument.

January 22—Sherman Gap, Massanutten-Tuscarora, and Shawl Gap Trails, GWNF, VA
  CARPOOL Hike

Begin at the Elizabeth Furnace parking area outside the gate. Long hikers go along the Botts Trail and then turn left to ascend Sherman Gap Trail. At the ridge, long hikers continue to the Shawl Gap Trail and descend back to Elizabeth Furnace. Moderate hikers ascend on the Shawl Gap Trail and go along the ridge to the top point before turning back and descending again by the Shawl Gap Trail.

January 29—Monuments of Washington, DC
  METRO Hike

Starting from Rosslyn Metro, see nine Presidential sculptures/monuments/memorials (including the new one for Eisenhower), three outdoor sculpture collections (the Reach area at the Kennedy Center, the National Gallery, and Hirshhorn), the new Native American Veterans Memorial, and 3 obscure sites – Jefferson Pier, The Hiker statue, and Dark Star Park. The hike also features restrooms and refreshments.

February 5—Signal Knob, Massanutten Mountain, VA
  CARPOOL Hike

All hikers ascend the Signal Knob Trail from the parking area. At the intersection with Meneka Peak Trail moderate hikers turn left on Meneka Peak Trail and traverse the ridge to the intersection with Tuscarora Trail. There they turn left again and descend Green Mountain to the Tuscarora Spur Trail, where they bear left to the Signal Knob parking area. Long hikers continue on Signal Knob Trail to Signal Knob, with excellent views. They then descend to the intersection with Tuscarora Trail and follow the path of the moderate hikers.

February 12—Gunpowder Falls State Park, Hereford, MD
  CARPOOL Hike

Enjoy the winter scenery along the beautiful Gunpowder River in this Maryland state park. We will hike two lollipops--one going west along the south bank of the Gunpowder River and one going east, also along the south bank of the river. The west loop will take us almost to the base of the Pretty Boy dam, which has beautiful rock formations and requires wading a shallow tributary. The east loop also proceeds mostly along the river, but this section is almost rock free, with a wider valley and tamer water. Moderate hikers follow the route of long hikers but with a short cut. Shorter options are available for people interested in doing only the first loop.

February 19—Appalachian Trail, Washington Monument Park to Annapolis Rocks
  CARPOOL Hike

Celebrate Presidents Day with a hike featuring the Washington Monument in the Washington Monument Park in MD. The monument is the first monument completed to honor of George Washington. The monument has an awesome view from both the monument top and base. The hike will be an out and back on the Appalachian Trail (AT), Initially bypassing the monument and hiking North on the AT. The main hike will continue North on the AT to the viewpoint at Annapolis Rocks, with its far-ranging views over the Cumberland Valley, and then return retracing out path and hiking South on AT. Since this is an out and back, hikers can customize the length and difficulty of their hike. For all hikers at the end of the hike, remember to enjoy the views from the Washington Monument shortly before you descend to the parking lot.

February 26—Cedarville, MD
  CARPOOL Hike

Today we will return to a place in a little-known forest area in Southern Maryland. Both hikes start at the parking lot at Forest Rd. Moderate hikers do a 7-mile loop on the Holly Trail. Long hikers also start on Holly Trail and extend the hike by taking Heritage Trail, Swamp Trail and Birdwatchers Trail to complete a 12-mile loop.

March 5—Catoctin Trail/White Rock, MD
  CARPOOL Hike

The hike is a there-and-back on the Catoctin Trail for the most part. Hikers start at the Manor Area. Moderate hikers will go to Fisher Creek Road and then return. Long hikers will take an additional loop in Frederick Municipal Forest to White Rock.

March 12—Keys Gap to South on A-T to Blackburn Trail Center View, VA
  TRAILHEAD Hike

All Hikers will start at the parking lot at the parking lot and carefully walk east on the side of the road to the A-T. Hikers will then go right on the A-T, which is a moderate uphill climb that eventually becomes a pleasant ridge hike. Hikers can stop at the David Lesser Shelter (3 miles one-way) and either have an early lunch and return to the parking lot, or they can continue to Buzzard Rocks Trail about another 0.75 miles down the A-T. At the Buzzard Rocks Trail, hikers can walk to the Buzzard Rock view. The path to the view very rocky (neither Mike nor Anna chose to go to the view). Your lunch may be more pleasant on the hill before the rocks. This is the recommended stop for moderate hikers. Long hikers continue the A-T, which will be rocky for about one-half mile before it turns into a pleasant trail with several attractive features. Long hikers will continue over this enjoyable trail to the view near the trail to the Blackburn Trail Center. Long hikers will have lunch at the view, enjoy the fact that two-thirds of their ascent is complete, and begin the return north on the A-T to the cars.

March 19—Seven Bends, VA
  CARPOOL Hike

Explore the newest state park in Virginia. The park is located in the pitcturesque "oxbow" area of the North Shenandoah River. Moderate hikers will cover Hikes include the Eagle's Edge Trail, River Bend Rise Trail, Massanutten Trail, Talus Trail, Reservoir Trail and Gakotta Trail, while long hikers will add a there-and-back on the Massanutten Trail.

March 26—Kennedy Peak, Massanutten Mountain, VA
  CARPOOL Hike

Kennedy Peak is a Massanutten Mountain peak with wonderful panoramic views of the Page Valley and six bends of the Shenandoah River; it is the “high point” of this wild hike, which starts and ends at Edith Gap. Moderate hikers take the Massanutten and Stevens Trails to Kennedy Peak and return to Edith Gap. Long hikers will follow the same route but add an out-and-back ridge walk to Hebron Gap, before ascending Kennedy Peak.

April 1 (SATURDAY)—American Chestnut Land Trust, Prince Frederick, MD
  TRAILHEAD Hike

American Chestnut Land Trust (Trailhead hike) This hike will feature the American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) Northern trails. This is a privately run local conservancy in Calvert County MD. Right now, the early spring flowers are blooming and the raft is ready to find out if you are Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn… as well as a new route taking a short detour passing some old barns before ending-up on a small stretch of beach by the Chesapeake Bay. This hike will start at the Double Oak Trailheads and feature the Horse Swamp, a detour to a small stretch of beach along the Chesapeake Bay, the Parkers Creek Trail (and the raft).

April 2—Cool Spring, VA
  CARPOOL Hike

This hike will start on the battlefield of Cool Springs but most of the hike will be on the grounds of the Rolling Ridge Conservancy. The hike starts on the Ridge to River Trail which passes a waterfall (multi-tiered waterfall) and crosses into WV and then has about a one mile stretch along the river flood plain where we will be treated to an abundance of spring wild flowers most notably Virginia Blue bells, before the trail ascends to the Perimeter Trail. The Perimeter Trail is a lovely rolling trail crossing another waterfall (hidden waterfall) and then meandering along the ridgeline. With the leaves down, the trail has a lovely open feel to it. The hike will pass the ruins of an Old School House. At the ruins, you have the option of doing an out/back moderate hike or continuing the perimeter trail to complete the loop. Both hikes will return on the Ridge to River trail, once again traveling thru the wildflower area. When we cross back into VA, we will return via the river side of the battlefield. This will bring us past the bird condo for the herons, where you can catch a glimpse of the nesting herons.

The Cool Springs battle field is on what was an old golf course near the Shenandoah River. It is now managed by Shenandoah University and The Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) to offer a river walk and trails through the battlefield. (Our route will be on the river trail). The Rolling Ridge Conservancy is a privately owned and maintained wilderness area. “Protecting, preserving, and nurturing the largest privately-owned wilderness area near Washington DC and along the entire Appalachian Trail” They also do a lot of neat things and are struggling to finance their good works. To learn more about the conservancy checkout their website https://www.rollingridgeconservancy.org/ Or feel free to connect with them (see Brochure posted to the chat)

Please note: The conservancy has a tight cap on the number of hikers allowed in a group, we have asked to double that number, so we cannot accommodate walk-ons, hikers must sign-up (use Meetup, please) and have their reservations accepted.
Also, some of the trails in the Rolling Ridge are private and so please stay with the hike route to avoid accidentally going on a private trail.

April 9—Bull Run/Occoquan, VA (Bluebell Hike)
  BUS Hike

There are literally acres of Virginia Bluebells on the banks of Bull Run, the result of rich, seasonally flooded, sandy soil. If the season's timing cooperates, we will see vast stands of these flowers in full bloom. Trout lilies, beavers, heron, kingfishers and migratory warblers also vie for attention. Moderate hikers start at Kincheloe soccer fields and proceed north (upstream) on the Bull Run – Occoquan Trail to Bull Run Regional Park. Long hikers start hiking north from Bull Run Marina; extra-long hikers start at Fountainhead Regional Park.

April 16—Patapsco State Park, MD
  MEET-AT-TRAILHEAD Hike

(TRAILHEAD PICNIC Hike / Not posted on Meetup - Club members only - must register thru online form.) Our first picnic hike for 2023 will take us down the Patapsco River with its many pools and cascades, and through mature beech-oak forest. The hikes start and end at the Avalon area of Patapsco State Park on River Road near Elkridge, MD. All hikers make a clockwise loop by taking the Ridge, Morning Choice, and Cascade Falls Trails. Long hikers will take an additional loop along the Rockburn Branch Trail. When hikers come to the stream where the Cascade Falls Trail splits into two, moderate hikers will go right and then descend to the falls, while long hikers will go left and continue over Garrett Pass before reaching the falls. All hikers will return along the Valley View and Ridge Trails.

April 23—Crow's Nest Nature Preserve, VA
  CARPOOL/TRAILHEAD Hike

Crow's Nest Nature Preserve is situated on a high narrow ridgeline rising above two tidally influenced creeks: Potomac and Accokeek. It features 4,000 acres of old-growth woodland with several miles of hiking trails. All hikers will explore various trails that go to the viewpoints at Crow’s Nest Point and Boykin’s Landing. Long hikers will take an additional there-and-back to the Potomac Overlook.

April 30—Neighbor and Knob Mountain Trails, SNP, VA
  BUS Hike

Neighbor Mountain offers views of the Shenandoah Valley and Massanutten Mountains. Long hikers start at Beahms Gap Overlook, and soon take the Neighbor Mountain Trail. Then they ascend along Jeremys Run following a stream valley, and take the Appalachian Trail northbound, which leads to Elkwallow Wayside and the bus. Moderate hikers start at Panorama and follow the Appalachian Trail north, crossing over Pass Mountain on their way to Elkwallow Wayside and the bus.

May 7—Trillium Hike, Thompson Wildlife Management Area, VA
  BUS Hike

The Linden area is noted for having one of the greatest concentration of trilliums in the nation and indeed globally. Many other wildflowers will be in bloom alongside them at this time of year. Long hikers start at Manassas Gap, and follow the AT north past Manassas Gap Shelter and the junction with Verlin Smith Trail to continue on the AT to a point just south of Dicks Dome Shelter. Here they turn right and follow Verlin Smith Trail around Lake Thompson and to parking area #4 and the waiting bus. Moderate hikers begin at parking area #4 and complete a circuit by joining the path of the long hikers.

May 14—Wheaton Regional Park, Rachel Carson Greenway Trail and Northwest Branch, MD
  CARPOOL/TRAILHEAD Hike

Although we have often taken this hike during the Christmas season, Brookside Gardens is perhaps at its most colorful during the spring. Both hikes start at the Brookside Gardens Visitor Center and proceed through the Gardens to the Wheaton Park Nature Center. From there the moderate hikers take the Equestrian Loop Trail to the intersection of the Northwest Branch Trail. They will follow the west side of the Branch downstream to Route 29 (Colesville Rd.), turn left on the Road and then left onto the Rachel Carson Trail following the east bank of Northwest Branch upstream, joining the Wheaton Park Equestrian Trail and route back to the Brookside Nature Center. Long hikers follow the moderate route except at the Nature Center they take 3.5 miles of assorted wooded trails through Wheaton Park before joining the Northwest Branch Trail.

May 21—Dickey Ridge, SNP, VA
  CARPOOL/TRAILHEAD Hike

This hike does an out-and-back along the Dickey Ridge Trail, starting from the Dickey Ridge Visitor Center. From there long hikers will go north to take the Fox Hollow Trail, while moderate hikers go south directly on the Dickey Ridge Trail. Long hikers will take the Snead Farm Loop Trail then go south on the Dickey Ridge Trail. All hikers will go down the spur trail to Lands Run to view a waterfall about a half mile from Skyline Drive, then all hikers backtrack on the Dickey Ridge Trail to return to the Visitor Center. There will be opportunities to see numerous wildflowers (possibly including yellow lady slippers) in the area at this time of year.

May 28—Big Schloss and Mill Mountain, GWNF, VA
  BUS Hike

Big Schloss and Mill Mountain, GWNF, VA. The peak of Big Schloss gets its name from the rocky outcropping at its top, which resembles a castle ("schloss" is German for "castle"). Its views of the Trout Run Valley are unparalleled. All hikers walk past Woodstock Reservoir from route 749. Long hikers then follow Little Stony Creek Trail, the Tuscarora, and then Mill Mountain Trails. About 1 mile past Big Schloss Cutoff Trail, they turn left to go to Big Schloss (optional), and then return to Mill Mountain Trail and go left to Wolf Gap Recreation Area. Moderate hikers go left at FR 92 and then right on Big Schloss Cutoff Trail. At the junction with Mill Mountain Trail, moderate hikers go left and follow the path of the long hikers.

June 4—Rocky Mount, SNP, VA
  BUS Hike

This rugged trail is typical of the Southern section of the park. From Two mile Run Overlook on the Skyline Drive, both hikes follow a narrow ridge through a saddle to the peak of Rocky Mount. There we eat lunch and enjoy a view that is worth the trip. From here, moderate hikers return to the bus. Long hikers descend to the Gap Run Trail which they follow back the Rocky Mount Trail to complete a circuit. They then follow the Rocky Mount Trail to return to the bus.

June 11—Gathland, MD
  CARPOOL/TRAILHEAD Hike

(CARPOOL/TRAILHEAD PICNIC Hike / Not posted on Meetup - Club members only - must register thru online form. ) For this picnic hike, we will start and end at Gathland State Park, going along the crest of South Mountain, with the Hagerstown and Cumberland Valleys to the west and the piedmont to the east. All hikers will go north on the Appalachian Trail up to the view from White Rocks. Moderate hikers will then return to Gathland. Long hikers will access White Rocks via the somewhat steeper route from the Bear Spring spur trail and continue from there to the view from the tower on top of Lambs Knoll, after which they will return to Gathland.

June 18—Gambrill State Park, MD
  CARPOOL/TRAILHEAD Hike

Gambrill State Park occupies the southern end of the 25-mile long Catoctin Mountain Ridge and has several panoramic views of the Middletown and Frederick Valleys. All hikers will take a loop within the park, using the Red Maple, Catoctin, Black Locust, and Yellow Poplar Trails. Long hikers will do an additional there-and-back on the Catoctin Trail from the main loop..

June 25—Buzzard Rock to Veach Gap, Massanutten Mountain, VA
  BUS Hike

Enjoy spectacular views of the meandering South Fork Shenandoah River. Long hikers start at the intersection of Routes 678 and 774 and walk to the trail head parking area off Route 774. They ascend to Veach Gap, turn left on the Massanutten Trail, and continue north to Buzzard Rock Trail, passing Buzzard Rock cliffs on the way to Route 619. Moderate hikers begin at Elizabeth Furnace, and follow the Shawl Gap Trail to the Massanutten Trail. There they turn left onto Buzzard Rocks Trail and follow the path of the long hikers.