Is there really anything better than spending a summer day soaking in cool waters? I’m hard-pressed to come up with a better way to spend an August weekend, and that’s just what we did on our recent adventure to Otter Creek. Over the past few years, Michael and I have been leading swimming hole trips... Continue Reading →
Trip Report: 2024 Four State Challenge (~44 miles)
The 2024 DC UL Four State Challenge was one for the books! A cool and clear fall weekend set the perfect backdrop for a trek across four states (VA, WV, MD, PA) in a single day on the Appalachian Trail. This year, our participants were Austin ("Citrus"), Brian, Steve ("Baconator"), Kyle ("Water Dog"), Aneesh, and... Continue Reading →
Trip Report: Spruce Knob/Seneca Creek, West Virginia (Sept. 7-8, 2024) (~19 miles)
Where does a DCUL backpacking trip begin? Does it start at the trailhead? Does it start at the Vienna (or Grosvenor) metro parking lot? Or does it start at a Sheetz in Moorefield, West Virginia? The plan was to meet up early on Saturday morning at the Vienna metro, driving West about 3 hours to... Continue Reading →
Trip Report: Blue Skies and Swirling Winds (LM: White Rocks Cliff) (October 7-8, 2023) 19 miles
Photo Credit Jake Sawyer On October 7-8, 2023, seven DCUL backpackers completed a delightful low-mileage (LM) 19-mile overnight clockwise circuit along the West Virginia-Virginia border, in the Wilson Cove Wildlife Management Area and Great North Mountain region. The literal and figurative highpoint was the view from White Rocks Cliff while the low point was when... Continue Reading →
Trip Report: Tuscarora 3, 4/9-4/11
PATC has greatly improved the route, keeping you on the ridge line, taking you rather opulently maintained footpath to Eagle Rock, where there is a fantastic view. We drank in the views and dried out shelters in the sun. This is an altogether better route by all measures.