About us
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
13
SNP Sugarloaf Blooms 5 Mi 1120 Ft Moderate Hike
Location not specified yetThis hike offers a great view and spring flowering bushes in the north district Shenandoah National Park. Floral highlights to be on the lookout for are the incredibly fragrant wild azalea and blooming a bit later, the pale pink to white, star-shaped clusters of mountain laurel. This 5 mile loop has about 1100 ft of elevation gain. We'll break at a viewpoint along the Appalachian Trail for snack/lunch. The trail is rocky in parts and there are small, mostly rock hop water crossings. We typically hike about 2.0 mph when moving. However, we leave no one behind and will move at a pace that is comfortable to all.
Hike Route: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/virginia/sugarloaf-loop-via-appalachian-trail
RSVP: RSVP to register for this hike. If your plans change, update your RSVP (at least 2 days before the hike if possible) to open a spot for another hiker. This request applies to hikers on the Waitlist as well. RSVPs close at 6 PM the evening before the hike.
Time to Meet: Please meet 15-20 min prior to hike start for introductions and liability waiver sign in.
Meeting Location/Parking: Meet at the Piney River parking area on Skyline Drive Milepost 22. Entrance is across the street from the Matthews Arm campground.
GPS 38.75057, -78.29420
Group Size: 20 hikers
Facilities: No restroom available at trailhead. A vault toilet is located at nearby Elkwallow picnic ground. Flush toilets at Elkwallow Wayside are only open when the Wayside is open.
Park Admission: Park fee or pass. https://www.nps.gov/shen/planyourvisit/fees.htm
Contact Information**: Please use the comments feature for comments and questions. The hike leader is Lisa Peterson.**
Hike Cancellation**: In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, hikers will be notified through comments on this posting. Please check Meetup for updates, minimally the evening before the hike.**
What to Bring: Water at least two liters, emergency contact information, medications, snacks/meal, insect repellent, sunscreen/protection from weather, and personal first aid. Trekking poles if you use them (especially helpful for stream crossings), sturdy hiking footwear and an extra pair of socks in case of wet feet.
Please leave pets at home. Thanks!
PATC
- To find out more about PATC, click here.
- Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.
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.
7 attendees
Susquehanna State Park: A Moderate 10 Mile hike
Susquehanna State Park, Maryland, MD, USSusquehanna State Park: The Woodland Area's Rolling Hills! A Moderate 10 Mile Hike
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."
Experience the wilder side of Susquehanna State Park as you walk through woods full of old-growth, including several champion trees, open fields, and great views of the Susquehanna River. Susquehanna State Park boasts a network of well-marked paths that wind through dense woodlands, meadows sprinkled with wildflowers, and historic sites. Our hike will explore varied landscapes, from tranquil streams and towering sycamore trees to rocky bluffs overlooking the Susquehanna River. There will be stream crossings on rocks. Hiking poles recommended.
Transition Hike
This is a great hike for anyone wanting to step it up from an easy-side-of-moderate hike to a challenging side of moderate.Bring a lunch to enjoy along the way.
A leashed, well-trained Fido is welcome on this hike.
Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00
Contact Information: Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders are Christa (410-610-6254) and Tim (202-744-0289). Call or text as needed.
Directions to Trailhead:
It is best to use the GPS coordinates. They will take you directly to the parking lot. The GPS Coordinates are 39.608191, -76.142608The street address is: 761 Stafford Rd, Havre De Grace, MD 21078
Rating: Challenging-Moderate
Distance: 10 total miles with stream crossing on rocks
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1,300 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: There are restrooms near the trailhead. Allow 10 minutes.
Fees: no feesCancellation: 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 RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. SHOULD YOUR PLANS CHANGE, KINDLY UPDATE YOUR RSVP BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO FILL YOUR SPOT. IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST, IT IS IMPORTANT TO SIGN OUT AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL NOT ATTEND BECAUSE MEETUP MOVES PEOPLE AUTOMATICALLY TO THE GOING LIST ONCE A SPOT OPENS.SIGNING OUT AFTER 6:00 PM WILL BE CONSIDERED A "NO SHOW," AND REPEATED INSTANCES MAY RESULT IN BEING BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE HIKES LED BY THIS ORGANIZER.
-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 her##
11 attendees
Calvert Cliffs State Park! A 4.8-Mile Hike with Options up to 9 Total Miles
Calvert cliffs, 10540 HG Trueman Rd ,, Lusby, MD, USCalvert Cliffs State Park! A 4.8-Mile Hike with Options up to 9 Total Miles
SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."
Note: This hike will also be led on Sunday, May 17 in case you can't make this one.
Join us for a hike to the beach at Calvert Cliffs State Park— it’s the perfect time to experience the natural beauty and geological wonder of this unique destination. Over 1,000 acres of this park are designated as wildlands, allowing the landscape to return to its more natural state. The main attractions of the park are the Mountain Laurels that are abundant on all of the trails here this time of year. In addition the beach features dramatic cliffs that tower over the Chesapeake Bay at heights exceeding 100 feet. Formed more than 10 million years ago, they are eroding at a rate of nearly 3 feet per year, revealing fossils.
Calvert Cliffs boast the most extensive collection of Miocene underwater fossils found in the eastern United States. Fossil enthusiasts and nature lovers alike will be fascinated by the area’s rich paleontological heritage. Calvert Cliffs is not the best place to look for fossils.
The main hike will take us directly to the beach. Along the way we will follow and observe a creek that develops into the wetland, and then the path suddenly opens to the Bay. After exploring the shoreline and cliffs, we’ll return to the trailhead, completing a total of 4.8 miles. For those eager for more adventure, you’re welcome to join an additional hike of up to 4 more miles through rolling hills of woodland. This hike can bring your total distance to as much as 9 miles for the day!
The 5-mile hike will end around 1:00. The end time for the additional mileage will depend upon the length. A 9-mile hike will end around 3:00.
If we have more than 15 hikers, we will divide the group in two group, each group assigned to one of the two hike leaders.
Please Bring a snack or lunch, we will enjoy a break at the beach.
A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike!
Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim (202-744-0289). Call or text as needed.Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 38.396531, -76.435100The Street address to the park is 10540 HG Trueman Road, Lusby, MD 20657. We meet at the VERY LAST parking lot just before exiting the park. It is a double side by side parking lot. If you find yourself about to exit the park, the exit allows you back into it, just loop around again. It is NOT the parking lot adjacent to the pond. If you see the pond, you haven’t traveled far enough. The GPS coordinates will take you directly to where we meet.
Details
Rating: Easy for the 4.8 miles and Moderate for more extended options
Distance: 4.8 or up to 9 miles
Elevation Gain: Minimal for the 4.8 miles and 600 Ft. for the 9-mile option.
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Bathroom soon after entering the park, and Portable bathrooms close to the beach.
Fees: There is an entrance fee of $5 per car, $7 out of state. Free with State Pass. Credit cards are accepted.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 RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. SHOULD YOUR PLANS CHANGE, KINDLY UPDATE YOUR RSVP BY NOON THE DAY PRIOR TO ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO FILL YOUR SPOT. IF YOU ARE ON THE WAITLIST, IT IS IMPORTANT TO SIGN OUT AS SOON AS YOU KNOW YOU WILL NOT ATTEND BECAUSE MEETUP MOVES PEOPLE AUTOMATICALLY TO THE GOING LIST ONCE A SPOT OPENS.
SIGNING OUT AFTER 6:00 PM WILL BE CONSIDERED A "NO SHOW," AND REPEATED INSTANCES MAY RESULT IN BEING BARRED FROM PARTICIPATING IN FUTURE HIKES LED BY THIS ORGANIZER.
-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.24 attendees
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