Sunday, October 14, 2007

Mid-October is the perfect time of year to check out fall foliage. And with daylight saving time not ending until the first Sunday of November, we have a few more weeks to enjoy the longer days. Several local organizations are sponsoring hikes over the next few weeks that will get you into the woods.

On Saturday, the C&O Canal Association is sponsoring a 10.4-mile hike along the Billy Goat Trail to Carderock. Meet at the Billy Goat Trail B&C Loops at noon. The hike is followed by a cookout at 4 p.m. at Carderock. The trail is rough with uneven footing, but the glimpses of fall are sure to be spectacular. For information, call 301-977-5628 or visit http://www.candocanal.org.

Also on Saturday, the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is hosting a five-mile hike around Sugarloaf Mountain in Dickerson, Md. The hike is on rocky trails and includes shallow-water crossings and a few steep climbs with a total elevation change of 500 feet. Dogs are welcome as this is a joint hike with the K9 Trailblazers. For start time and location, call 410-247-4434. For a list of other hikes during October and November, visit http://www.patc.net.

Tour du Port: The 13th annual Tour du Port, which includes 10-, 22- and 40-mile bike rides through Baltimore, will be held Oct. 21. The rides traverse through the Inner Harbor and some of Charm City's historical neighborhoods. This year's event includes a 10K walk for pedestrians. The cost is $50 for adults, $15 for children 13 and younger. The race is sponsored by One Less Car, a Maryland advocacy group that promotes biking, walking and public transportation as alternatives to automobiles. For information, visit http://www.onelesscar.org.

Project Healing Waters: The Potomac-Patuxent Chapter of Trout Unlimited will sponsor a presentation about Project Healing Waters, a program that promotes fly-fishing as a form of rehabilitation for injured armed forces members. The program began at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center but now is taking place across the country. 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Schweinhaut Senior Center, 1000 Forest Glen Rd., Silver Spring. For information, call 240-338-7478 or visit http://www.pptu.org.

-- Lauren Wiseman

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