Overnight trips near DC

[verasch]

I'm sure this is posted elsewhere, but searching WB on my phone leaves much to the imagination. I'm looking for overnights near the DC area (I live IN DC), like maybe only a 2-3 hour drive. I can only escape on the weekends, so something that will land me back at my car on Sunday afternoon would be ideal.

Im really into hammock camping, so somewhere I can hang it would be ideal. Also, i'd like to avoid having to get a permit for places, since I have the tendency to only have a weeks notice. It's my understanding that SNP requires a 2-week notice for permits.

In this heat, preferably I'd be near some sort of water to relax in (i think you can see that I'm a pretty lazy hiker), but I'm fine with just shlogging along. I think I'm pretty slow (1.5-2.25 mph) and don't want to hike more than 12 miles a day if possible.

I plan to leave Fridays late afternoons and would prefer a bit of night hiking if possible. Does anybody know of any trips that fit this criteria within a 3ish mile radius of DC?

Also, if anybody is interested in joining me, I'm going to try to escape DC next weekend. As in a week from today.

Thanks!

[Studlintsean]

I recommend SNP and im sure many others will as well. The permit can be obtained at the entrance of the park the day of the trip. I have never had any issues. I recently entered from NOVA at Thornton Gap (US 211 through Warrenton) and hiked North toward Front Royal, Va. I caught a ride back to my car at Thornton Gap with no issues but there are also shuttles you can look up. Keep in mind the wildfire activity as I believe part of this section near Elkwallow may be closed (not positive). Another hike you can do is Linden (Ext 13 off Rt. 66) and hike North towards HF. I think HF is about 50 miles which depending on your conditioning could be a stretch (I am thinking of doing this section in the next few weeks so I dont have much to offer on conditions). There is shuttles from Blackburn and Bears Den Hostel you can use if needed. Hope this helps.

[fredmugs]

You can't go wrong with SNP and it's a self registration so no big deal. Pick up extra registration forms to cover yourself for future trips. SNP is very easy to hike and there are practically no rocks, roots, etc to slow you down.

You also have Harpers Ferry as an option for stopping / strating. I also think McAfeee Knob might be within your 3 hour drive limit.

[FarmerChef]

There are many, many good hikes to be had within a 2-3 hour drive from DC. In fact, you could probably do much of PA and a significant portion of VA with that kind of drive time. The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) maintains many trails in the DC metro area (including the AT) and has excellent information on their website: www.patc.net. If you want to stay within an hours drive and aren't constrained to only hike the AT they'll have very useful information on several long trails that fit your criteria.

As for the AT itself +1 with fredmugs and Studlintsean. You do NOT need to wait any time to get a permit for SNP. Those are self service at several entrance points in the park - easy as pie and completely FREE.

A great walk is north from Rt. 50 (through the Roller Coaster, ok. great to some) to Harper's Ferry with a stop at Bears Den Hostel or Blackburn Trail Center (though you'd be tempted to skip the hammock and sleep in a cozy bunk) or start in HF and hike north to Rt. 40/I70 past Gathland State Park and ending near Greenbriar State Park. You could even punch a bit further north and head for Caledonia State Park or Pen Mar Park in PA. All of these have parking available if you want to drive and shuttle or take two cars. Maryland's portion of the AT is a dream to walk and mostly ridge walking. South of HF is nice for a while then will put you through some ups and downs. SNP has beautiful treadway and some big climbs with, of course, outstanding views. There's parking virtually everywhere in the park.

Last, check out the ATC's website for their list of shuttle providers (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiki...transportation) if you'd like to arrange for someone to drop you off/pick you up or both.

[Cookerhiker]

A bit beyond SNP lies George Washington National Forest. This is a vast, spread-out area with some parts > 3 hours away but there are some nice places to hike that aren't much further than SNP. Right now, the Massanutten Mountain area is closed because of fire but other possibilities are centered on Wolf Gap, the crest of the Allegheny ridge separating VA from WV. There's a network of trails up there including a stretch of the Tuscarora.

Here's a list of all trails in the Forest. I second Farmer Chef's recommendation to seek out the PATC. They publish excellent maps & guides which you can order via phone, on-line, or drop in on evenings when they staff their store and browse through their publications. They also lead hikes and maintain 1,000 miles of trails including about 250 miles of the AT.

... I also think McAfee Knob might be within your 3 hour drive limit.

No, it's much further.

[wilconow]

Wild Oak Trail is tough, but it's well maintained and not many people. http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/trav...ev_066738.html

[verasch]

I recommend SNP and im sure many others will as well. The permit can be obtained at the entrance of the park the day of the trip. I have never had any issues. I recently entered from NOVA at Thornton Gap (US 211 through Warrenton) and hiked North toward Front Royal, Va. I caught a ride back to my car at Thornton Gap with no issues

Based on the SNP web site, I was under the impression that you can only get a permit the day of the hike if you're doing a thru. Do you need to talk to someone, or is it just a piece of paper you pick up? I'll be driving in at night, so Lord knows when I'll get there.

but there are also shuttles you can look up.

I've never taken a shuttle before. Is this something you call up when you are close to a certain area? Do I need to prearrange them somehow?

Another hike you can do is Linden (Ext 13 off Rt. 66) and hike North towards HF. I think HF is about 50 miles which depending on your conditioning could be a stretch

Um, if I had an extra day this could be an option. I'm not in that great of shape yet to do two days of 20+ miles. I'm working on it though!

Hope this helps.

Very helpful. Thanks!

You can't go wrong with SNP and it's a self registration so no big deal. Pick up extra registration forms to cover yourself for future trips.

Good idea. I don't suppose there's anyway to get one of these forms online is there?

SNP is very easy to hike and there are practically no rocks, roots, etc to slow you down. You also have Harpers Ferry as an option for stopping / strating. I also think McAfeee Knob might be within your 3 hour drive limit.

Yeah, I hiked a loop dayhike a couple years ago with my cousin. It was 9 miles, but it felt like a mere 3 or 4 despite the hot weather. Don't get me wrong, I liked SNP, but the permits worry me. I'll look up McAfee knob, and great tip on the HF. It's actually not far from here (nothing is with the right amount of gas !)

There are many, many good hikes to be had within a 2-3 hour drive from DC. In fact, you could probably do much of PA and a significant portion of VA with that kind of drive time.

I know. the amount of hikes one can do is overwhelming. It's one of the reasons I wanted to move here. I was hoping to hear some recommendations because people on WB are so travelled. I've been on some awesome hikes and some meh-hikes. So far, these options and info that fredmugs and Studlintsean have offered are great.

The Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC) maintains many trails in the DC metro area (including the AT) and has excellent information on their website: www.patc.net. If you want to stay within an hours drive and aren't constrained to only hike the AT they'll have very useful information on several long trails that fit your criteria.

It's probably because I'm a dumb white guy, but I have trouble navigating their web site, especially on my phone (I'm rarely at home). I browse their calendar mostly, and I need to get a membership now that I think of it...

You do NOT need to wait any time to get a permit for SNP. Those are self service at several entrance points in the park - easy as pie and completely FREE.

Awesomesauce. That answers my above question, thanks!

A great walk is north from Rt. 50 (through the Roller Coaster, ok. great to some) to Harper's Ferry with a stop at Bears Den Hostel or Blackburn Trail Center (though you'd be tempted to skip the hammock and sleep in a cozy bunk) or start in HF and hike north to Rt. 40/I70 past Gathland State Park and ending near Greenbriar State Park. You could even punch a bit further north and head for Caledonia State Park or Pen Mar Park in PA. All of these have parking available if you want to drive and shuttle or take two cars. Maryland's portion of the AT is a dream to walk and mostly ridge walking. South of HF is nice for a while then will put you through some ups and downs. SNP has beautiful treadway and some big climbs with, of course, outstanding views. There's parking virtually everywhere in the park.

Last, check out the ATC's website for their list of shuttle providers (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/hiki...transportation) if you'd like to arrange for someone to drop you off/pick you up or both.

And there it is. Thanks for the great info. This is exactly what i'm looking for. Thanks also for that link to the shuttles! I'll check that out.

Thanks again!

[bfayer]

Overall run in SNP. There is a nice swimming hole at the bottom of the falls.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

[Studlintsean]

If you do any of the section between Linden and HF come back with a report on water if you dont mind. I've got this section planned for later this month.

[rpcv]

There are a lot of options. These two websites are fantastic resources:

Mid-Atlantic Hikes

Hiking Upward

I don't have any connection to them other than using them all the time.

rpcv

[Damaged]

I would also suggest SNP. Unfortunately, they do not offer the backcountry permit online. If you enter the park at one of the many trailheads outside the park, you can find them there. If you enter on Skyland Drive, then you are going to have to speak to someone in order to get a permit. Either at the park entrance or one of the waysides. I have not seen a self registration station at the Front Royal entrance for late entries but I will check this weekend when I am up there and I will get back to you. I too wold also recommend checking out the Hiking Upward link above. It is a good site for suggestions of loop hikes that will bring you right back to your car. It usually has good information on water sources as well. If you are considering SNP, I would alos suggest checking out the PATC web site. http://Potomac Appalachian Club CHeck out their maps as well as the book on circuit hikes in SNP.

Have Fun

[LIhikers]

How about hiking the C+O Canal path that starts right there in Georgetown?
It parrellels the Potomac River, has campsites with water and outhouse about every 5 miles and you could do a piece of it everytime you can get away for the weekend. It's an easy walk that has a lot of history tied to it.
Easy to get to, easy to walk, no permits needed, and you could easily do the whole 185 or so miles of it in summer weekends.

[verasch]

There are a lot of options. These two websites are fantastic resources:

Mid-Atlantic Hikes

Hiking Upward

I don't have any connection to them other than using them all the time.

rpcv

Hiking Upwards is AWESOME. I've been looking through that site since i saw your post. Thanks! It's very helpful.

How about hiking the C+O Canal path that starts right there in Georgetown?
It parrellels the Potomac River, has campsites with water and outhouse about every 5 miles and you could do a piece of it everytime you can get away for the weekend. It's an easy walk that has a lot of history tied to it.
Easy to get to, easy to walk, no permits needed, and you could easily do the whole 185 or so miles of it in summer weekends.

I'd like to do some of the C+O sometime, as it's really close to where I live. I'm thinking this would be a good place for fall hikes, but really my wanderlust is whats driving me out of the area to other sites. Even if I were to drive 5+ hours, that's not the end of the world as that is something some buddies and I did when I lived in Boston in order to hike the Whites. I knew the area really well when I lived there, but I don't have a clue where I am here. Also, I'd like to do the C+O when I meet some other people. I don't know anyone yet, and the Meetups out here are filled with insanely hardcore dayhikers.

I might break the 3 hour rule and try to get out to Monongahela NF. Allegheny/Seneca Creek looks super cool. I think it depends on how late I leave here on Friday so I can hang somewhere up the trail later that evening. Though realistically, it'll probably be either Sugar Knob or White Rocks, at least for this weekend.

Thanks for all the tips and suggestions!

[RevLee]

If you want to avoid the restrictions of National Parks, take a look at the George Washington National Forest. There are quite a few good trails there. One of my favorites is Signal Knob, which links to many other trails that you can stitch together for whatever length trek you want. Another good option is to head north or south out of Harpers Ferry, which is an hour train ride out of DC.

[Cookerhiker]

[QUOTE=verasch;1308153]...
I might break the 3 hour rule and try to get out to Monongahela NF. Allegheny/Seneca Creek looks super cool. I think it depends on how late I leave here on Friday so I can hang somewhere up the trail later that evening. Though realistically, it'll probably be either Sugar Knob or White Rocks, at least for this weekend...[/QUOTEear

During the 2 1/2 years I lived in Western MD, I took full advantage of the Monongahela. Some of the best hiking is the Dolly Sods Wilderness and the Otter Creek Wilderness. The former is a bit closer to DC.

[verasch]

I'm sure once I make my way out there, it'll draw me back.

[Rocket Jones]

If you drive into SNP, you'll pay the visitor fee. If you're going to go more than twice in a year, the annual pass is a bargain.

It's closed right now because of a nearby fire, but a loop of the AT, Neighbor Mountain, and Jeremy's Run is a gorgeous hike. Park closer to Neighbor Mountain by afternoon and you can camp at the bottom of Jeremy's run. I don't think I'd want to try to night hike the downhill of Neighbor Mountain.

Also in that same area, but other side of the ridgeline, you can hike the piney branch trail, then catch the piney ridge trail for a loop that catches the AT back to the start. There were a couple of nice campsites down in the valley.

Shorter hikes to views can be made to Mary's Rock, Stoney Man and Little Stoney Man.

Definitely get some books on hiking in the area, there are many and worth looking at. My library has a couple, so check there too.

[AegisIII]

You also should have at least three Pennsylvania state forests within that range. And all with reasonable backpacking circuits you could devise. For backcountry camping, a (free) permit is not required, though it'd always be good so you can possibly have an eyes checking on your car, an idea of when you'd be done, and better information on forest usage I suppose.

Michaux would have basically endless possibilities. Buchanan your best bet would be a Tuscarora/Standing Stone circuit from Cowans Gap, probably adding a bit on the new & old SST's into The Narrows. Tuscarora also would have plenty of treks possible, contact them and they'll send you their free multi use trail map.

[poloaa009]

Thanks for this post guys I was going through the same thing.

[Damaged]

As promised above... I checked this weekend and noted that there are self registration stations at all of the entrances to Skyline Drive for hiking permits. The one at the Front Royal entrance is to the right as you enter the park.

The Monongahela is an awesome place to backpack. Once you move off of the more popular trails you can find quite of bit of solitude. I have done week long trips up there and have never seen another soul. On some of the trails the streams and creeks can get quite dry in the late Summer, so make sure you take the oppurtunity to top off anytime you come across a water source.

Happy Hiking