US East Northern VA / MD Monthly Meetups

[Uberland]

Hey all... I found this website looking for really any non-paved road in Northern VA given that all the GWNF trails are closed due to the pandemic. I've seen references to Clifton, Dumfries, and a few others but can't find more details. I'm only a couple inches over stock, so no rock-crawling for me. I'm itching to get some mud on the tires, so if anyone has any suggestions centered around Fairfax, VA please let me know!

I've been swamped at work the last couple of months and have had little opportunity to get on here, so I'm catching up on a lot of older stuff!

Your post caught my attention as you mentioned "non paved" roads. A site that I use a lot is gravelmap.com. It was originally created by cyclists to share gravel routes, but I use it to map out routes all the time. Like @JRElaxED said, Loudon County is LOADED with miles and miles of probably what you're looking for. You could spend days exploring that area, let alone everything else you can find on there. I'm in Alexandria and if you ever want to do some day trips, or weekend trips out that way, let me know. @JRElaxED is right down the street from me, and there's a lot more OB members around here as well!

On a whim, the missus and I headed out to hunt country using Gravelmap. Excellent resource...almost entirely accurate (a couple of paved stretches that were listed as gravel, but nothing major) and a great way to explore nearby areas. We’re looking forward to expanding our travels beyond the greater Middleburg area.

 

[VerticalGambit]

Hi all,

Just wanted to say hi. I'm new here and live in the Frederick area. I will keep my eye out on this forum for any updates on getting out on the weekend. I drive a stock Suburban (when I can keep it out of the shop) and normally just take it out to the Frederick watershed or around the Maryland/ Pennsylvania border.

Later

JP

 

[JRElaxED]

Cars & Coffee in Marshall, Va. Commonwealth Classics is having a meet up on Saturday the 25th. 8am to 11am with a chance to win a Warn 10k winch. Check them out on Instagram or give Bill a call. Asking for a food donation to help out local families. I should be there, look for ugly guy with a white jeep. Several local breweries and some great gravel roads can be explored after if anyone is up for it. Bring gmrs or cb for comms.

 

[Casper66]

Cars & Coffee in Marshall, Va. Commonwealth Classics is having a meet up on Saturday the 25th. 8am to 11am with a chance to win a Warn 10k winch. Check them out on Instagram or give Bill a call. Asking for a food donation to help out local families. I should be there, look for ugly guy with a white jeep. Several local breweries and some great gravel roads can be explored after if anyone is up for it. Bring gmrs or cb for comms.

it doesn't say where in marshall

 

[Casper66]

Cars & Coffee in Marshall, Va. Commonwealth Classics is having a meet up on Saturday the 25th. 8am to 11am with a chance to win a Warn 10k winch. Check them out on Instagram or give Bill a call. Asking for a food donation to help out local families. I should be there, look for ugly guy with a white jeep. Several local breweries and some great gravel roads can be explored after if anyone is up for it. Bring gmrs or cb for comms.

I found the location if it's gping to be at their location

 

[cgflyer]

It's been a while, forgot all about this thread and I haven't been getting notifications...Work has restricted be to 50 miles of travel, so I haven't been doing anything fun since January. However, I want to try to find some time soon. I read about a "Virginia Traverse" somewhere several months ago, but having a hard time finding it. Anyone have resources?

 

[Brock Samson]

Cars & Coffee in Marshall, Va. Commonwealth Classics is having a meet up on Saturday the 25th. 8am to 11am with a chance to win a Warn 10k winch. Check them out on Instagram or give Bill a call. Asking for a food donation to help out local families. I should be there, look for ugly guy with a white jeep. Several local breweries and some great gravel roads can be explored after if anyone is up for it. Bring gmrs or cb for comms.

How was the C&C?

It's been a while, forgot all about this thread and I haven't been getting notifications...Work has restricted be to 50 miles of travel, so I haven't been doing anything fun since January. However, I want to try to find some time soon. I read about a "Virginia Traverse" somewhere several months ago, but having a hard time finding it. Anyone have resources?

Could be the VA part of the TAT (Trans-American Trail)? Or maybe you meant the Georgia Traverse (of which I am thoroughly familiar)? GAT kmz files are free as it's an unofficial trail; the TAT maps are not free. :(

 

[cgflyer]

How was the C&C?



Could be the VA part of the TAT (Trans-American Trail)? Or maybe you meant the Georgia Traverse (of which I am thoroughly familiar)? GAT kmz files are free as it's an unofficial trail; the TAT maps are not free. :(

Nope, it definitely was not Georgia and pretty sure it wasn't part of the TAT. The TAT starts in WV. I will do some more digging, but there was a small group of overlanders on here (not this thread) that referred to it. It may not be an official route, could have just been something they coined themselves, but it was sectioned in several parts. Again, could have just been trips that they put together. I will see if I can find the post again.

 

[RedLeg]

The C&C event was an eclectic mix of vehicles... everything from overland rigs, antique Porsches, American muscle cars, classic Defenders and anything high-end in between. There were I think four OB members there and we had a nice series of conversations with some local dirt road exploration afterwards followed by lunch at a brewery in Haymarket, VA. We enjoyed making new friends and discussing possibilities for future trips.

 

[Brock Samson]

Nope, it definitely was not Georgia and pretty sure it wasn't part of the TAT. The TAT starts in WV. I will do some more digging, but there was a small group of overlanders on here (not this thread) that referred to it. It may not be an official route, could have just been something they coined themselves, but it was sectioned in several parts. Again, could have just been trips that they put together. I will see if I can find the post again.

Damn, well let me know!


@everyone Anyone interested in caravanning to Richmond for a meet (whenever they end up setting one up)?

 

[jakeandhisdodge]

Damn, well let me know!


@everyone Anyone interested in caravanning to Richmond for a meet (whenever they end up setting one up)?

Ya i could probably depending on the day

 

[phlfly]

We should do Saturday camp site . Overnight . Just get together and some camo fire food fest. Than may hit flag pole in morning coming towards home .

 

[Specter]

Damn, well let me know!


@everyone Anyone interested in caravanning to Richmond for a meet (whenever they end up setting one up)?

I’d be down for that if I’m around.

 

[cgflyer]

I’d be down for that if I’m around.

I'd be up for it too

 

[cgflyer]

Hi all,

Just wanted to say hi. I'm new here and live in the Frederick area. I will keep my eye out on this forum for any updates on getting out on the weekend. I drive a stock Suburban (when I can keep it out of the shop) and normally just take it out to the Frederick watershed or around the Maryland/ Pennsylvania border.

Later

JP

Welcome! I'm technically your Regional Rep. I grew up in Hagerstown, but live in Northern VA now. Still new to Overlanding but have done a lot of off roading in parks and stuff over the years, but not here locally so I am learning. Been a member on here not quite a year and so far it's a good resource. There are a lot of people on here that know way more than me and it seems to be all about venturing out and seeing what you find, which I am still trying to FIND the time for ventures. Hope to schedule a meet up again soon though for those that are close enough to meet up in the DMV

 

[phlfly]

Great to hear. I thought it's best way just sit down drive around VA/WV/MD on gravel roads. We are definitely needed truck with winch as it's can be tricky some places. That would be great spot to find camping spots and some off road tracks .

 

[cgflyer]

Great to hear. I thought it's best way just sit down drive around VA/WV/MD on gravel roads. We are definitely needed truck with winch as it's can be tricky some places. That would be great spot to find camping spots and some off road tracks .

Where are you thinking?

 

[phlfly]

Depends of people count . But it can be just near flag pole or Canaan valley but it's not many big camping spots , sleepy creek if lucky has big open spot. Maybe someone has better idea. Another place near Beaver dam area lots camp sites but don't remember if if has big openings . Someone got be know to fit dozen trucks with RTT or few with swags .

 

[cgflyer]

Depends of people count . But it can be just near flag pole or Canaan valley but it's not many big camping spots , sleepy creek if lucky has big open spot. Maybe someone has better idea. Another place near Beaver dam area lots camp sites but don't remember if if has big openings . Someone got be know to fit dozen trucks with RTT or few with swags .

I've never been to any of these so I'm interested wherever/whenever...but in my limited experience, I don't think we'd get a dozen rigs anyway haha

 

[John Bishop]

A few weeks ago we went through this big open area on the way to flagpole. It would easily accommodate a dozen vehicles.