About us
** 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
4
- $36.00
Hike: Appalachian Trail/Annapolis Rocks, MD
17th Street Northwest & K Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USPark Map/ MD Bus
$36. Long hike: 13 mi., 2000 ft. elevation gain. Moderate hike: 9 mi., 1000 ft. elevation gain.
The central section of the Maryland portion of AT provides one of the most popular hikes in Maryland on account of the views from Black Rock and Annapolis Rocks. Long hikers will start from Raven’s Rock Road, crossing Little Antietam Creek (a bridge is available about ¼ mile from the trail if the water runs high) and passing the Ensign Cowall shelter. Moderate hikers will begin at Wolfsville Road. All hikers will pass the Pogo campsite, and then take an optional spur trail to the Black Rock Cliffs overlook and a second optional spur trail to the view at Annapolis Rocks of the Hagerstown Valley, finishing at the parking area on Rte. 40.
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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!
Because this is a paid event, we cannot offer a waitlist should the hike fill up. If spots subsequently open up, they will become immediately available to anyone and everyone.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: MARYLAND 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 Grosvenor 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.
- Connecticut Ave. and Porter St,, NW, northeast corner. Bus briefly stops at the curb in front of the Broadmoor Apartments to pick up hikers about 8:10 a.m.
- Connecticut Ave. and McKinley St., NW, southeast corner. Bus stops at the bus shelter in front of the Safeway to pick up hikers about 8:20 a.m.
- Grosvenor-Strathmore Metro Station, North Bethesda. Bus stops at the bus shelter nearest to Metro Station walkway entrance between the station and the parking garage about 8:30 a.m.
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 WEBSITE
for answers to questions such as these and many more:- What should I bring on a hike?
- Can things be left on the bus during the hike?
- When will the bus return to the metro Washington DC area?
- Can I drive my car and meet the bus at the hike destination?
- Are dogs allowed on hikes?
54 attendees - $5.00
Trailhead Hike: Catoctin Mountain Park – Thurmont, MD
DIRECTIONS IN MEETUP DESCRIPTION, Directions are provided in the Meetup Description below, Washington, DC, USPark Map / Trailhead hike – NO BUS
$5. Long hike: 13 mi., 2000 ft. elevation gain. Moderate hike: 9 mi., 1500 ft. elevation gain.
From the Visitor Center, all hikers will take a loop that provides vistas at Chimney Rock, Wolf Rock, Thurmont Visit, and the Blue Ridge Summit. Moderate hikers will complete the loop by descending towards Rte. 77, taking in the brief detour to Cunningham Falls, and returning to the Visitor Center. Long hikers will continue along Park Central Road and the Catoctin Trail (with an option of a detour to view Cunningham Falls), eventually descending to Rte. 77 and, after crossing the road, taking the Falls Nature Trail to return to the Visitor Center.
***
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 WEBSITE
2 attendees 
Happy Hour and Free Outdoors Gear Swap
Right Proper Kitchen, 716 Monroe St NE Suite C1, Washington, DC 20017, Washington, DC, USJoin Capital Hiking Club for a happy hour and free outdoors gear swap! This event will be hosted at Right Proper Brewery's brand new Kitchen location in the heart of the Brookland Arts Walk (716 Monroe NE, Washington, DC 20017), right next to the Brookland-CUA Redline stop! Enjoy $5 beer and discounted food until 7PM!
Also, be sure to take advantage of this free opportunity to swap gear with other hikers and outdoors adventurers in the DMV (gear swap organized by Climate Classes). Please bring quality, well-maintained items, with no or minimal stains. Heavily damaged items will not be accepted for swapping. Items brought to be swapped will be capped at 20 items.
Accepted swap items include, but are not limited to:Clothing
- Shirts
- Pants
- Shorts
- Coats, Jackets, and rain ponchos
- Scarves/Bandanas
- Sweatshirts & Hoodies
- Jumpsuits, wet suits, and dry suits
- Gloves
- Activewear
- Boots, trail runners, snow shoes, sandals
- Socks
- Gaiters
- Spikes and non-slip footwear
- Hats, beanies, and head bands
- Unused hair ties
- Sunglasses and goggles
Gear (Inclusive of, but not limited to):
- Tents and hammocks
- Backpacks/dufflebags (hiking, backpacking, fannypacks, etc.)
- Camping utensils and multi-tools (Please clean before swapping!)
- Water bottles/Travel mugs (only twist-top, unless the item is brand new)
- Sleeping bags and sleeping pads (Please clean before swapping!)
- Camping pillows
- Tarps
- Yoga mats
- Camping chairs
- Flashlights, headlamps, lanterns
- Portable chargers
- Helmets and pads
- Hiking poles
- Camping stoves/ Miniature camping stoves (without fuel)
- Bungee cords
- Rope
- Unused, unopened, and non-expired dehydrated camping meals
- Unused and unopened batteries
- Unused sun block and hand sanitizer
*Please note that undergarments (including swimwear), camping fuel, used/ opened batteries, sun block, or hand sanitizer, and used, opened, and expired camping meals will not be accepted for swapping. Additionally, we will not accept large items at this swap, including bicycles, canoes, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, etc...
All items that are not swapped will be donated to charities.
We are excited to have you join us!16 attendees
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