Wide world of gay sports

While the fall LGBT sports leagues are all in full swing, there are still many opportunities for individuals to get out there and get those heart rates pumping.

Adventuring Outdoors Group will visit Southern Rock Creek Park Hike on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. The trip fee is $2. The hike will start at the Cleveland Park Metro (look for the trip leader’s trademark orange cap) and descend into the park on the Melvin Hazen Trail, passing an old stone quarry.

The hikers will then visit several attractions including the Jusserand Memorial, Pulpit Rock, Boulder Bridge and Peirce Mill. The total length of the hike will be approximately 5 to 6 miles, with several hundred feet of elevation gain, and should be appropriate for beginner/novice hikers. Bring beverages and bug spray. Contact damoncmiller@verizon.net for more information.

A visit to Panorama-Marys Rock is slated for Oct. 16 at 8:30 a.m. The trip fee is $15. Marys Rock provides one of the most spectacular vistas in all of Shenandoah National Park. The hike will begin from the old Panorama area at Thornton Gap, where Route 211 crosses Skyline Drive between Sperryville and Luray, and climb steadily on the Appalachian Trail to the crest of the Blue Ridge.

After lunching at Marys Rock, the hike will continue on the Appalachian Trail to Byrds Nest No. 3, a stone day-use shelter. The hikers will circle back to the old Panorama area with the total length of the hike being 6.5 miles with 1,400 feet of elevation gain. Meeting place is 8:30 a.m. at the East Falls Church Metro Kiss & Ride lot. On the way home, the group will stop at a historic farm where Robert E. Lee and his BFF Stonewall Jackson may have had a crucial meeting. Bring beverages, lunch and bug spray. Contact craighowell1@verizon.net or jeffreyhughes@me.com for more info.

Another active group that always has something going on is MYOB Adventures. Its members have a zipline and outdoor adventure course planned for Oct. 23 from noon to 3 p.m. at Sandy Springs Adventure Park in Sandy Springs, Md. This is a three-hour tree top adventure open to 14 people at $80 per person. The group will carpool from Dupont Circle. Anyone who can drive gets a $25 discount. E-mail to kevinmnorris@aol.com for more information.

Flying trapeze lessons will be offered on Nov. 6 at the D.C. Navy Yards. The two hour session  is open to 10 people and costs $75. Time has not been determined. E-mail to kevinmnorris@aol.com for more information.

Ski Bums D.C. has its fall meeting on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at Nellie’s Sports Bar. It’s a great chance to meet members, who ski and snowboard, and see what the group has planned for its fall trips. Go to www.ski-bums.org for more information.

The Lambda Divers have a happy hour Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. at Nellie’s. It’s a chance to meet members and find out what international dives they have planned. Go here for more information.

The D.C. Ice Breakers, a local LGBT ice skating social group, skates Oct. 20 from 8:15 to 9:15 at the Kettler Capitals Iceplex in Arlington. Skating is $8 and rentals are $3. Go here for more information.

And the Capital Splats Racquetball group has sessions for players of all skill levels twice a month. E-mail to mstorey@igc.org for more information.