A total of five DCULers answered the last minute “invitation” to backpack Duncan and Strickler Knob this weekend. The seven of us (Karan, Ram, Liz, Dmitri, Kevin, Ben and I) convened at the Route 211 parking lot on Saturday morning. We were able to make a timely start at 10am. It was a beautiful day-... Continue Reading →
Trip Report: Hiking in Shenandoah’s Post-Apocalyptic Winter Wonderland
When we pick a weekend for a backpacking trip, we circle a date and hope for the best. For a December trip, that hope is for enough snow to make things gorgeous but not so much that we fear road conditions and the necessitation of snow shoes (unless of course we're planning a deep snow... Continue Reading →
Trip Report: The Appalachian Trail & Iron Mountain Trail Loop, Thanksgiving Special!
I grew more apprehensive as the AT-IMT trip loomed nearer. This trip was originally attempted in Nov 2014 and the mix of weather conditions and the mileage made some strong hikers decide not to finish the whole thing. A couple of days before the trip, the forecasts were calling for cold rain every single day.... Continue Reading →
Trip Report: Big Schloss/Little Schloss in GWNF
Big Schloss is a classic hiking destination in George Washington Forest, and is a mainstay of the DCUL classic Trout Run Valley loop. Little Schloss though is not nearly as well frequented but presents a beautiful sunrise view of The Massanutten range and the Shenandoah mountains as well as an exciting rock scramble. This trip... Continue Reading →
Trip Report: Sunrise, Sunset, and Summer in November along the Virginia Triple Crown Loop
We set off to hike the final 40 miles of Pennsylvania's Baker Trail -- part of the great North Country Trail itself -- in glorious late November weather. Brian would thus complete his PA State Forest Trails Award as the rest of us continue along in these same footsteps, eager to hike these remote northwestern... Continue Reading →