Washington Women Outdoors upcoming events

Bicycle Ride for Intermediate Riders - Western MoCo Agriculture Reserve and Clean-up (20 Jun 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

35 miles, 2000 feet elevation. Scenic rural roads with several challenging climbs. For Intermediate Riders (average pace 11-13 mph). Note, we are also offering the same route for Advanced Riders with a faster pace. Register for that ride HERE.

Leaving from Riley’s Lock, we will explore the western reaches of the Montgomery County Agriculture Reserve along low-traffic roads, passing working farms, cornfields and woodlands. The ride begins with two climbs that will get your heart pumping with a few more challenging hills for good measure before we end. But it’s well worth the effort! We’ll enjoy two climbs and a long downhill on Mt. Nebo Road before ending with the rollers on River Road. This ride is suitable for intermediate riders who like hills. Our average pace will be 11-13 mph. As with all our rides, there will be a leader and a sweep, and no one will be left behind.

After the ride, we invite you to join us in collecting trash along Riley's Lock Road, the "Rustic Road" that WWO has adopted as part of the County's program to preserve historic and scenic roadways and keep them litter free.

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this ride is FREE for Members, you do need to register.

Bicycle Ride for Advanced Riders - Western MoCo Agriculture Reserve and Clean-up (20 Jun 2026)

Sat, 20 Jun 2026 13:30:00 GMT

35 miles, 2000 feet elevation. Scenic rural roads with several challenging climbs. For Advanced Riders (average pace 13-16 mph). Note, we are also offering the same route for Intermediate Riders at a more moderate pace. Register for that ride here.

Leaving from Riley’s Lock, we will explore the western reaches of the Montgomery County Agriculture Reserve along low-traffic roads, passing working farms, cornfields and woodlands. The ride begins with two climbs that will get your heart pumping with a few more challenging hills for good measure before we end. But it’s well worth the effort! We’ll enjoy two climbs and a long downhill on Mt. Nebo Road before ending with the rollers on River Road. This ride is suitable for Advanced riders (average pace 13-16 mph). As with all our rides, there will be a leader and a sweep, and no one will be left behind.

After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this ride is FREE for Members, you do need to register.

Exploring the Anacostia River Trail, Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and the Frederick Douglass Bridge (28 Jun 2026)

Sun, 28 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

30 miles on mostly flat paved trails. Good for intermediate and advanced riders, and advanced beginners ready for a longer ride.

This ride has it all! We will start in College Park and loop around the beautiful Lake Artemesia. Then we will ride along the Northwest Branch Trail until we join the Anacostia River Trail (ART). We'll stop at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and wander there for about 30 minutes to see what's in bloom. We'll continue on the trail and then ride past the Navy Yard to a rest stop (and lunch) at Potbelly. On our return, we’ll cross the river over the Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge (which has a separate and wide pedestrian/bicycle lane) and ride along Anacostia Park Drive before doubling back on our route. This ride always delights showing unique places in the city. The ride is suitable for all types of bikes. As with all our rides there will be a leader and sweep and no one will be left behind.

After completing registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional event details and start location.

There is limited space, so please register early. Although this ride is FREE for Premium Members, you do need to register.

Dolly Sods Beginner Backpacking Trip (11 Jul 2026)

Sat, 11 Jul 2026 16:00:00 GMT

This 6.0 mile trip suitable for beginner backpackers and above.

Experience the beauty of West Virginia's Dolly Sods Wilderness on this beginner-friendly, one-night backpacking adventure to Rohrbaugh Plains. This trip offers an incredible reward with relatively little mileage, making it an excellent introduction to backpacking for those looking to build confidence on the trail.

We'll hike approximately 3 miles from the trailhead through the unique landscapes of the Monongahela National Forest before reaching the stunning Rohrbaugh Cliffs. There, we'll enjoy sweeping views of the Red Creek Valley and some of the most spectacular scenery Dolly Sods has to offer.

After taking in the views, we'll continue to a nearby backcountry campsite where we'll settle in for the evening and, weather permitting, watch the sun set over the wilderness. Along the way, participants will gain experience with backpacking fundamentals, including packing, camp setup, trail travel, and Leave No Trace practices.

While the terrain is generally moderate, the wilderness environment provides a true backpacking experience in one of the Mid-Atlantic's most unique and scenic destinations. Whether this is your first backpacking trip or you're looking for a short overnight getaway, Rohrbaugh Plains is the perfect place to begin your backpacking journey.

Miles: 6.0 (roundtrip / 3.0 miles per day)

Rating: Level 4 (View Hiking Rating Scale)

For beginner backpackers and above.

There is limited space on this trip, so please register early!

Virtual Event:Book Club:Book Club Meeting and Social (14 Jul 2026)

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Join the WWO Virtual Book Club & Social! Offered virtually so all can join, we gather quarterly to socialize and discuss a book around the theme of women in the outdoors.

This quarter’s book is Force of Nature by Joan M. Griffin:

“Force of Nature is equal parts gripping adventure tale, personal memoir, and vivid nature writing.

Three friends, all over fifty, Joan, Cappy, and Jane set out to hike the 200-mile John Muir Trail—the “most beautiful long-distance trail in the world.” Right away, their adventure is complicated by the wild power of Mother Nature and several self-inflicted accidents. Then their journey is enriched when they “adopt” an inexperienced younger hiker whose partner takes off, abandoning her along the trail.

Together, the women experience the terror of lightning at eleven-thousand feet, the thrill of walking through a towering waterfall, and the joy of dancing among midnight moonshadows. For twenty-seven action-packed days, the women live immersed in vast natural beauty, struggle with the trail’s physical demands, and find camaraderie among an ensemble cast of eccentric trail characters. Finally, atop the 14,500-foot summit of Mount Whitney, the women celebrate the triumphant conclusion to their empowering and transformative journey.”

Come join a community of women who share the outdoors in all ways possible! The Zoom logon information will be provided to you in an email the day before the meeting.

Although this event is FREE for Members, please register!

Otter Creek Intermediate Backpacking Trip (25 Jul 2026)

Sat, 25 Jul 2026 14:00:00 GMT

This 9.0 mile trip suitable for intermediate backpackers and above.

Join us for a scenic backpacking adventure through the heart of West Virginia's Otter Creek Wilderness. This approximately 9-mile loop combines beautiful creekside hiking, remote backcountry camping, and rewarding mountain views, making it an excellent trip for hikers looking to experience one of the state's most beloved wilderness areas.

We'll follow the Otter Creek Trail through lush forests and alongside the clear waters of Otter Creek. The route gradually climbs onto Shavers Mountain, where rocky overlooks offer sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness. Along the way, we'll experience a variety of landscapes, including hardwood forests, rhododendron tunnels, and quiet backcountry ridgelines.

After spending the night in the wilderness, we'll complete the loop via the Mylius and Hedrick Camp Trails, descending back toward Otter Creek through some of the area's most scenic terrain. This trip offers a rewarding blend of challenge and beauty, providing participants with an opportunity to build backpacking skills while exploring one of West Virginia's premier wilderness destinations.

Miles: 9.0 roundtrip

Rating: Level 4 (View Hiking Rating Scale)

For intermediate backpackers and above.

There is limited space on this trip, so please register early!