What we’re about
** NEW! SHOP CHC GEAR!!! **
Come ride our bus to day-hike adventures at the region's many beautiful outdoor destinations! Experience the trails 52 weeks a year with Capital Hiking Club, a non-profit group that's been operating since 1937, welcoming the public to join us on all hikes. We specialize in hiking options that challenge a range of skill levels and fulfill the varied interests of our hikers. Saturday weekly hikes: Long hikes averaging 9-12 miles and shorter hikes averaging 6-9 miles, plus social time with post-hike refreshments. The Club's chartered bus starts picking up hikers near 17th and K Streets (Farragut Square) in downtown DC and makes more pick-up stops in either VA or MD (depending on the destination) for most Saturday hikes. Occasional trailhead or carpool hikes are offered. We also lead moonlight hikes on the C&O Canal Towpath as well as full-moon hikes downtown.
*** Find the complete quarter's hiking schedule by going to www.capitalhikingclub.org ***
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CAPITAL HIKING CLUB MISSION STATEMENT
To provide the Washington, DC metropolitan area with safe, quality hiking and outdoor activities, and to promote fellowship, the sport of hiking, and love and respect for natural environments.
Our values are:
Safety – to ensure that all Club activities are conducted in the safest possible manner
Inclusion – to welcome persons interested in the sport of hiking without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, or economic circumstance
Accessibility – to provide hiking opportunities in the Washington, DC area, within reach by public transportation to the extent possible
Preservation – to promote love and respect for, and preservation of, natural environments
Community – to foster fellowship among those who take part in the Club's activities
Volunteerism – to develop a core group who support the Club by such means as leading hikes, serving on committees and the Executive Board, and assisting with other necessary tasks
Longevity – to employ sound management and financial principles to ensure the continued existence of the Capital Hiking Club as a going concern
Upcoming events
7
- $5.00
Trailhead Hike: Rock Creek Park, DC
Cleveland Park Metro, DC, USPark Map / Trailhead hike – NO BUS
$5. Long hike: 12½ mi., 2000 ft. ascent. Moderate hike: 8 mi., 1400 ascent.
Meet at Cleveland Park Metro (East Side) at 9:00 AM
You can be assured of a good hike, and a convenient, in-town opportunity to enjoy nature before the frenzy of Christmas day. The 1,754-acre park – one of the largest urban parks in the world – boasts 32 miles of wooded trails. We’ll walk to the park via the Melvin Hazen Trail, Western Ridge Trail, Valley Trail, and several connecting trails.
RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number.
FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE26 attendees - $5.00
Trailhead Hike: Riverbend / Great Falls National Park, VA
river bend park, 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA, USPark Map / Trailhead hike – NO BUS
$5. Long hike: up to 8½ mi., 850 ft. ascent/descent. Moderate hike: various options.
Here’s a festive way to close out the year: a brisk hike along the wildest, most scenic stretch of the Potomac River – yet only a short drive away. Starting at Riverbend Park, part of Fairfax County’s park system, we’ll follow the river trail eastbound to Great Falls. There, a choice of loops takes us along the rim of spectacular Mather Gorge and past ruins of Matildaville and George Washington’s Powtomack Canal before we return to Riverbend.
RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number.
FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE1 attendee - $5.00
Trailhead Hike: American Chestnut Land Trust, MD
DIRECTIONS IN MEETUP DESCRIPTION, Directions are provided in the Meetup Description below, Washington, DC, USPark Map / Trailhead hike – NO BUS
$5. Long hike: 11 mi., 1800 ft. ascent. Moderate hike: 7 mi., 1400 ft. ascent.
The ACLT is a relatively new park in Calvert County that features rolling hills and vistas of the broad Parker Creek that drains into the Chesapeake Bay. All hikers will take the complete Parker Creek loop, including the Turkey Spur Trail down to the creek, and go there-and-back on the PF2Bay Trail to the overlooks of the Chesapeake Bay. Long hikers will also go there-and-back to some historic sites on the PF2Bay Trail, including a couple of old barns and a small cemetery.
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RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number.
FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE1 attendee - $36.00
Hike: Fredericksburg Battlefield, VA
17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USPark Map / VA Bus
$36. Long hike: 11½ mi. Moderate hike: 6 mi. Rolling hills on both hikes, with a few hundred feet elevation gain.
This trip to the site of one of the epic battles of the Civil War is always popular. All hikers start at Hamilton’s Crossing and continue on the South Lee Drive Trail. Long hikers will continue to Bernard’s Cabin Trail, take the loop, and retrace their route. All hikers will continue along the North Lee Drive Trail and complete the Lee’s Hill there-and-back trail. From Lee Drive, all hikers will return to the Visitors’ Center (where they can watch the orientation film and/or visit the bookshop). Option to walk the famous Sunken Road that shielded Confederate soldiers from Union fire. Time permitting, hikers can take the Walking Tour of historic Fredericksburg before we return to Washington.
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RESERVATIONS
Capital Hiking Club is a non-profit group, and the public is invited on all trips. Reservations are accepted as late as Friday, but reserving before Wednesday night helps ensure your spot and prevent cancellation of the hike due to low sign-ups. RSVP through Meetup and pay through PayPal. Please be sure your RSVP gives your full name and phone number and where you'll be boarding the bus. We don't want to leave you behind!
FIRST-TIME HIKERS
If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep at least a 2 mph pace.
BUS STOPS: VIRGINIA ROUTING
Please arrive 10 to 15 minutes before times listed below. All our bus stops are Metro accessible. If you're driving to meet the bus, we strongly advise using the Vienna bus stop, as parking is extremely limited at the others. Bus stops and times are as follows (click links for maps):
- DC: Near 17th and K St. NW downtown (east side of Farragut Square). Bus leaves at 8 a.m. SHARP, so it's essential to arrive well before 8.
- VIENNA METRO: NORTH parking lot, last bus shelter (Nutley St. Exit off Interstate 66 on North/Vienna side of I-66) at approximately 8:25 a.m. Note: There is a "south" parking lot where there are also bus shelters. If by 8:15, you're not with a group of hikers who say they're Capital Hiking Club, you're likely at the south lot. There's a walkway over I-66 to the north lot.
LIABILITY
By RSVP'ing for a CHC hike, you acknowledge and accept that hikers are responsible for their own safety and must assume risks and liability for all outings. CHC leaders, officers, and representatives shall not be liable for any injuries, loss or damage to persons or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any trips or club activities. Participants will be asked to sign a waiver the day of the hike.
CANCELLATION POLICY
To cancel and receive a full refund less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup before 12PM the Thursday before the hike. If you change your RSVP after 12PM the Thursday before the hike, no refunds will be issued.
MORE DETAILS -- SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE3 attendees
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