Support

Journeys Outside DC – Sugarloaf Mountain

SugarloafMountainView

This edition of Journeys Outside DC was written by Troy Cellmer. Troy is the Chief Editor for Active Life DC, a website that promotes fitness-related activities.

There’s a lot to enjoy about city life, but every now and then it feels good to explore greener spaces.

Sugarloaf Mountain is located roughly 35 miles north of the District in Dickerson, Md. A privately owned (but free) park, Sugarloaf was considered by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt for the site of a presidential retreat.

However, the mountain’s owner Gordon Strong (a staunch Republican) persuaded FDR to look elsewhere and choose the site now known as Camp David.

FDR’s loss was our gain. The park features great hiking, mountain views and a trail open to bikers on weekdays from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

If you make the trip, plan for three to four hours of hiking and make the trek between the East and West Views.

The Sugarloaf Mountain website provides a good map, but here are a few details.

To begin, park at the East View and make the short hike up the Orange Trail to the peak. From there, make your way down the Green Trail over to the Blue Trail and hike it out to the West View. After checking out the West View, loop back to the parking on the Blue and White Trails for a total of about six miles. The hike involves some serious hills, so be ready for a workout!

SugarloafMountainWinery

Here is the best part – after exploring the mountain, you can enjoy a nice glass of wine (or Sangria in the summer!) at the nearby Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard.

The winery, open for tastings seven days a week from 12 noon to 6 p.m., won The Washington Post Expresses’ award for Best Vineyard in 2012.

When you finish tasting, there is live music on the weekends and plenty of green space for a picnic.

Hiking and wine sound like a good plan? Visit the Sugarloaf Mountain website website for park rules, trail maps and directions. For winery details, visit the Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard website.

Recent Stories

From a press release: “The Sakura Taiko Fest has grown from a small concert first held in a dance studio to a full day of free, family-friendly taiko performances among…

Sweet City Ride

Thanks to Rafael for sending this sweet Rolls. Sweet City Ride is made possible by readers like you!

Photo by Lorie Shaull Ed. Note: If this was you, please email [email protected] so I can put you in touch with OP. “Dear PoPville, I was at The Dubliner around…

“Davis in Van Ness UDC” If you have any animal/pet photos you’d like to share please send an email to princeofpetworth(at)gmail(dot)com with ‘Animal Fix’ in the title and say the…

Calling all bookworms, thrill-seekers, supporters of the arts, and ping-pongers at all skill levels! Sign up for Paddlestar Galactica, the ping-pong tournament supporting 826DC’s youth writing programs.

826DC is a local nonprofit that offers free writing programs, homework help, and publishing opportunities for DC students ages 6-18, in our Columbia Heights writing center and in learning spaces across the city.

Paddlestar Galactica helps keep writing education 100% free and accessible for all of our students! It’s also extremely fun.

This year’s games will be Saturday, April 27th, 1 PM to 4 PM at SPIN DC. It’ll be a chaotic afternoon of ping-pong, costumes, terrible Battlestar Galactica puns, and good cheer. We’d love to have you join us!

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Well-Paid Maids, the only certified living-wage cleaning service in the DMV, has added a new service to its online booking menu: office and building cleanings.

This includes offices, building lobbies, shared amenity spaces and more throughout D.C., Arlington, Alexandria and more.

Unlike so many other cleaning services, you can feel good booking Well-Paid Maids to clean your office or building. Cleaners get paid a starting wage of $24 an hour. Plus, all employees are offered health, dental, vision and life insurance; 24 paid days off per year; 100% employer-paid commuting costs; and more.

Read More

Submit your own Announcement here.

Vakili Band at Pie Shop!

Three band rock n rolll lineup at DC’s Pie Shop! Vakili Band with “if you know, you know” DC rockers, Lot 18, and the many minds and songs of artist Kind of Christine.

“If you love Vakili Band like we

×

Subscribe to our mailing list