Connecting People to the Outdoors

Since 1927

Since 1927, PATC has been serving the outdoor community through creating and maintaining trails, cabins, and shelters throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. PATC strives to connect people with the outdoors through outreach events, workshops, and volunteer opportunities.


About PATC

Trails

PATC manages over 1000 miles of trails in Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, and Virginia, including 240 miles of AT. We provide trail and shelter maintenance with the help of dedicated volunteers.

Cabins

PATC maintains 47 cabins, to provide hiking and outdoor experiences for its members and the public. These cabins are sprinkled throughout the  mountainous Potomac region of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

Outreach

PATC offers a variety of outreach programs for the community. Join us for a group hike or attend one of our upcoming events to learn about ways you can get involved.

Volunteer Opportunities

Upcoming Events

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9:30am Trail Day at Sugarloaf Mountain

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8am Vigorous Hikers

7pm ExCom April Meeting (Virtual)

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10:15am Easy Hike: Metro North Bethesda to Metro Grosvenor Station

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7pm New Member Meeting

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Women's Camp, Hike, + Yoga Retreat

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9am North Mountain Brigade Trail Work

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8am LNT L2 Instructor Course

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10:15am Easy Hike: Great Seneca Trail, Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg MD

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9am Spooky Beaver Work Trip

10am Hike Leader Class @ Crampton Gap Cabin

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9:30am Trail Day at Sugarloaf Mountain Event Category: Trail Work

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8:30am Vigorous Hikers - Mt Marshall Loop

7pm Council Meeting (Virtual)

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8:15am DC Crew- Rock Creek Park Trails Work Trip

9am ND Hoodlums Work Trip

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9:30am Trail Day at Sugarloaf Mountain

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8:30am Vigorous Hike - Buzzard Rocks Trailhead

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10:15am Easy Hike: C&O Canal Towpath, Pennyfield Lock to Swains Lock and Back, Potomac MD

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9am ViVa! Vienna!

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9am ViVa! Vienna!

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8:30am Vigorous Hikers Jones Mountain hike

7pm ExCom Meeting (virtual)

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10:15am Easy Hike: Ford Mine Trail, C&O Canal National Historical Park, Potomac MD

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8:15am DC Crew- Rock Creek Park Trails Work Trip

9am North Mountain Brigade Trail Work

10am Virginia Black Bear Festival

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Check out our Blog

By Umar Farooq 20 May, 2024
Navigating my fear of heights on the mountains By Umar Farooq You might think that having a crippling fear of heights is an obstacle to hiking high up in the mountains. While there may be some truth to that, I have learned that you can also grow to respect and embrace your fear of heights while continuing to enjoy the beauty of nature up close. I learned this the hard way when I hiked the famous, for me infamous, Old Rag trail for the first time in my life. The trip began on a Saturday morning in late autumn. I was on my way to Shenandoah National Park to complete this hike I had always wanted to do since I was about 11 or 12 years old. I arrived at the trailhead a few minutes before 7 am and grabbed my backpack in which I packed everything I could need, except for bear spray, which I later learned is a helpful accessory for a solo hiker. The trail started off simply enough, but I quickly realized why people from all over the country travel to hike this trail. After a lengthy uphill walk, the traversable path seemed to disappear, and I came face to face with a fat slab of rock. I stared at the slab curiously, wondering where the trail went. Then, a man came up from behind and stopped a few feet behind me. He was from Michigan and had traveled all the way to visit Shenandoah and hike this trail. It wasn’t his first time. He told me this was the trail, and that I’d need to scale the rock formation in order to continue. He also told me if I was afraid of this, there were far greater things to be afraid of ahead of me. After the brief rock climbing stint, more trail continued before I found myself perched up on an open-faced ledge, staring out into an abyss. The weather was overcast that day, and that high up on the mountain I was walking in and among the clouds themselves. It also meant that while on this ledge, I could not see how high up I was. The unknown height was even scarier to me, and I stayed squatted down with my back leaned against the mountain for a good 15 minutes. My heart rate increased by probably an additional 20 beats a minute, and my body seemed unable to move from its position no matter how much I tried. Passersby came and went, asking if I needed any help. I told them I was fine, and just needed a moment to get my bearings straight. On top of my fears, I was incredibly frustrated, even angry at myself. Part of the reason I chose to do this hike was that I wanted to vanquish my fear of heights once and for all. It was a fear that only I seemed to have in my social circles, and it’s something my wife playfully teases me about. I envied those who could just walk up to the edge of a ledge and stare down at what was below them. But as I sat there motionless and unable to continue the trek, a realization struck. What I thought was a “crippling” fear that hindered me was actually an important and potentially life-saving instinct. After all, I was doing this hike by myself, and there were no harnesses or ropes that would keep me from falling off this mountain if I wasn’t careful. With that realization, I slowly got up, hugged the side of the mountain, and carefully finished the hike. I then reached the summit, where I saw many people perched up on the ledges enjoying their time. I sat myself down far from them, next to a large rock that I could lean back on. I sat there for a while, eating my lunch and observing those around me. A different version of me would have seen me as lesser-than, but I completed the same hike as them. And it was my fears that helped me to do so. All in all, I was able to complete it in about eight hours. And as I headed back to the parking lot, I walked away from my sojourn on Old Rag with a newfound respect for my fear of heights, and a recognition that that fear is not my adversary, but an ominous guide just trying to help.
By Michael Brown 10 May, 2024
Dear PATC Members, Would you like to give back to the community, connect people to the outdoors, and help preserve and protect your favorite trails? The Potomac Appalachian Trial Club (PATC) is looking for dynamic and motivated leaders to fill our upcoming election for club officers. PATC is a non-profit organization with over 8,000 members, of which about 1,000 are also dedicated volunteers. PATC volunteers help maintain and preserve over 1200 miles of trails, 50 cabins, and 39 shelters. We are a complex organization with a lot of moving parts, always trying to improve efficiency and continue growing to better serve the public. Positions we are looking for to lead our Executive Committee: · President: Club leader · VP of Operations: Coordinate trails, facilities, and lands · VP of Volunteerism: Supports 1000 volunteers and attracts new volunteers · Supervisor of Trails: Manages 1200 miles of trails over 40 districts · Supervisor of Facilities: Manages cabins, shelters and campgrounds · Supervisor of Lands: Manages 100+ parcels of PATC properties, right of ways and easements · Treasurer: Oversees budget and accounting · Secretary: Manages club records · Supervisor of Membership: Supports 8000+ members and recruits new members · Supervisor of Communications: Manages media and messaging · Supervisor of Outreach: Manages education and outreach events · Supervisor of Marketing: Manages sales and marketing of the PATC online store If you are interested in a leadership position, like to develop organizations, and you have about 10 hours a week to volunteer, we’d like to know more about you. To apply or to recommend a candidate, you can email nominations@patc.net or fill out and online application , which can be found at www.patc.net/volunteer. We will contact you to learn more about your interests and provide additional information. If you cannot help now but know of potential candidates, please tell us, and we’ll contact them. Sincerely, The PATC Nominating Committee 
By Ben Danforth 03 May, 2024
Want to get away? Looking for a last-minute getaway to the Appalachian Mountains? PATC cabins have had you covered since 1937, However the process just got a little bit easier. For decades a last minute rental at one of our illustrious cabins included the logistics limbo of getting a key to you by mail or requiring pickup. We now have lockboxes at 9 cabins allowing all your rental necessities to arrive by email. The lockboxes are unique --since we do not always have electricity and never WiFi at these locations. Instead they have preset one time use codes that last only the duration of your stay. These devices are installed at Cliff’s House, Dunlodge, Glass House, Little Cove, Morris, Old Rag, Silberman Trail Center, and Vining Cabin. By the end of the year, 10 additional lockboxes will be installed growing your remote access to some of the best hiking properties in the region. Cliff’s House is a lofted cabin with eye catching architecture. It is one of our modern-cabins, with all the comforts of home the second story main level is like a studio apartment among the trees with spacious railed decks on both sides. The cabin is located just west of Shenandoah National Park on the outskirts of Elkton. Dunlodge is another modern beauty, and it’s located in Charlottesville, VA. The Cabin was originally constructed as a model home by a team of builders and therefore showcases many charming and unique building elements. The property is a short walk from UVA sports and performance venues and a short trek or quick drive into Charlottesville city center. The perfect cabin for urban explorers doesn’t feel so urban when you are there. The estate entrance is off of a small wooded dirt road tucked into a hill side. The fenced in property is wooded and far from any neighboring property. Outside the charm of the house itself is a comfortable porch, a beer garden style patio, and an outdoor fireplace. Glass House is another cabin with the familiar comforts of indoor plumbing, electricity, and a full kitchen. Glass house is a popular pick among PATC faithful. The cabin is located in northern Fort Valley, VA, with easy access to the Massanutten Trail, Signal Knob, and the Tuscarora Trail. The cabin is perched steeply above a private winding driveway off Fort Valley Road with a beautiful view looking South over the valley. The beautiful scene is best observed from the cabins wonderful screened in porch. Hikers will be happy to know that trails abound near this cabin as well, thanks to the nearby Elizabeth Furnace trail system. Little Cove is a modern cabin with 4 bedrooms making it a great option for 2-4 couples, or 2 families with kids. Located in the Tuscarora Mountain valley 10 minutes from the quaint colonial town of Mercersburg PA, the spacious main level connects to a grand, covered, wrap around porch for lounging and dining. Hikers can access the Tuscarora Trail via a short connector trail to the cabin. Morris is one of our two primitive cabins on the list with a lock box. Morris is located just East of Swift Run Gap. The historic cabin gives a true sense of Appalachian living and has a nice view of Virginia’s Piedmont District. Hikers can enjoy the winding trails of the Vining Tract or easy access to Shenandoah National Park. Old Rag is another modern cabin and includes a ramp and handicap accessible shower with first and second level sleeping accommodations. This cabin is just steps away from the Old Rag parking area with first class access to the famous Old Rag circuit hike. Enjoy your hard earned beverage and dinner on the screened in porch after a day well spent on one of Virginia’s favorite mountains. Silberman Trail Center is a tidy 2 level cabin on a large private piece of land with drive in access. Our second primitive cabin on the list, near Cowan’s Gap State Park is a popular destination for hikers in PATC’s north district in Pennsylvania. The Tuscarora Trail, just 100 yards away gives hikers access to “Cowans” and Buchanan State Forest. Vining Cabin, The final modern cabin on the list is a wonderful destination on PATC’s 600 acre Mutton Hollow tract. The long private drive traverses two creeks giving renters a true sense of wilderness and adventure. The picturesque chestnut wood and stone exterior give this cabin a handsome Shenandoah charm.  For last minute rentals call the Cabin’s desk at PATC Head Quarters. The desk is open for reservations MWF from 11:00-1:00 (703) 242-0315 Ext. 1 If you can’t pick up a key, these 9 cabins are your best bet for spur of the moment access!
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Conservation + Land

 Management

PATC currently owns 39 properties, totaling more than 2,000 acres. In addition, the club also manages several leased properties and lands containing trail and scenic easements.

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A view of a path on trail, surrounded by green vegetation and tall brown trees.
A wooden and stone shelter, encompassed by four stone columns and a wooden picnic table placed underneath.

Shelters

Along the trails are a series of three-sided shelters for backpackers and thru-hikers. PATC maintains 45 Shelters along the AT, as well as the Tuscarora Trail and George Washington National Forest. PATC assigns volunteers to maintain the shelters throughout the year.

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Classes + Workshops

Want to learn what to pack for a backpacking trip? Or maybe you want to add a Wilderness First Aid Certification to your resume? Check out our skills classes and workshops.

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A group of male and female hikers, eating lunch and sitting at a picnic table.

GIS + Mapping

PATC has been a proud source for mapping trails and wilderness areas for decades, including some of your favorite State and National Parks. PATC maps have become well known as the most authoritative sources for backcountry information in the region.

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