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M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
SATURDAY FIELD TRIPS
All Saturday trips meet at the conference site after lunch, at about 1:30. The attached map shows trip locations by number.
1. Cunningham Falls State Park and Gallion Homestead Leader: Jim Gallion, MNPS Board Member, landscape & garden designer, nature photographer Cunningham Falls State Park, located in the Catoctin Mountains, is known for its history and scenic beauty, as well as its 78-foot cascading waterfall. The Falls are located one half mile from the lake in the Houck Area via the Falls Trail. We will explore the Lower Trail -- red blaze (0.5 mile) this easy to moderate trail is the shortest and easiest access to the Falls. Interpretive signs and benches along the way. Return to the lake by this trail or Cliff Trail. We’ll take note of flora and fauna along the way with a nice break at the falls. Be sure to bring your camera! We’ll see Numerous rocky outcrops, hardwood forest. Wildlife includes: white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red-tailed hawks. Be prepared for any weather conditions. After the hike we’ll head back down the mountain to Jim Gallion’s Property which is around the corner from the conference site. At Jim’s we’ll see how native plants work in the home landscape and if conditions are good we’ll tag some monarch butterflies for the fall migration. Directions will be handed out at the conference. Carpooling to the falls is highly encouraged.
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M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
2. Frederick Municipal Watershed - Saturday Leader: Carole Bergmann, Former MNPS President. Description: The Frederick Municipal Watershed Forest is located between Gambrill State Park and Cunningham Falls State Park on the east slopes of the Catoctin Mountains. We will take scenic back roads from Walkersville through the forested mountain hillsides to our trail off of Gambrill Park Road. We will hike through a mixed oak, red maple, sweet birch, black gum canopy with mountain laurel, pinxster flower, blueberry and huckleberry understory. We will pass through thickets of interrupted fern and cinnamon fern on our way to 3 ponds. Though this is not the season for blooming orchids, at least 6 species of orchids have been noted here, as well as Gentiana andrewsii and several Lycopodium species. This is a relatively easy trail. How far we hike depends on the group, but we will walk at least 1.5 miles. Directions from the Church (intersection of Chapel Place and Glade Boulevard): R on Glade Blvd. R on Crum Rd. L on Rte 194/Woodsboro Pike R on Fountain Rock Rd (just past Discovery Creek Shopping Center) Make 90 degree R turn continuing on Fountain Rock. L on Biggs Ford Rd. R on Rte. 15 –immediately get in Left lane to make next possible Left. L on Sundays Lane. Continue on Sundays Lane until it joins with Opposumtown Pike. Continue on Opposumtown Pike. L on Bethel Church (church on corner). R on Hamburg Rd (church on corner). Continue on Hamburg Rd for several miles through the Frederick Municipal Watershed Forests. R on Gambril Park Rd. Continue N on Gambril Park Rd. for several miles. Pass Delauter Rd. First Parking area will be on R side of Gambril Park. Rd. We will park here and hike into a forested area with 2 ponds Second Parking area will be further North on R side of Gambril Park. Rd. We will park here and hike into woods…. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
3. Fern ID Workshop - Saturday Leader: Joe Metzger, Field Botanist
Description: Easy to Moderate Walking. During the Fern ID Workshop, we'll use the silhouette key in Peterson's Guide to Ferns by Boughton Cobb. This book has been in print for several decades and copies should be available at most libraries. Do not bring the latest edition, which is by a different author, and lacks the silhouette key. I'll try to borrow several copies for those who aren't able to bring one. Using this key, participants will identify a number of common fern species growing in Catoctin Mountain Park. We will start with the ferns along the cove section of the Falls Nature Trail which leads out of the gravel parking lot by the Visitors' Center. If we have time we will go to another location in the park to identify additional species.
Limit: 12 people.
Directions: Go back to Glade Boulevard and turn left. Follow Glade Boulevard back to Woodsboro Pike (MD 194 ). Turn right on Woodsboro Pike (MD 194 ). Go north several miles towards Woodsboro and stay on the bypass around Woodsboro. Go through both lights and turn left onto MD 550. Continue on MD 550 to Creagerstown where it is joined by Old Frederick Road. At the north end of Creagerstown, bear left to stay on MD 550. [Slightly Longer Alternate Route: Bear right and follow Old Frederick Road through Loys Station Bridge (one of three historic covered bridges in Frederick County) to MD 77. Turn left onto MD 77 and continue (through Graceham) to Thurmont. Skip to Elementary School.] Continue on MD 550 until it ends on MD 77 at the east edge of Thurmont near the Elementary School. Go through Thurmont on MD 77 and drive several miles up into the park. Look for signs to the Visitors' Center for Catoctin Mountain Park and turn right onto Park Central Road and then almost immediately right into the paved parking lot. If this lot is full, there is a gravel parking lot on the other side of Park Central Road just across from the Visitors' Center. Meet in front of the Visitors' Center.
Contact: Cell Phone (443) 912-09563. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
4. Snyder’s Landing - Saturday Leader: Cris Fleming, Former MNPS President Description: High north-facing limestone bluffs along the Potomac River create a cool microhabitat that supports many northern and mountain species. On the rocky hillsides we should find rare and uncommon species such as northern white-cedar, walking fern, and bulblet fern. In the bottomlands along the canal we’ll look for late summer plants such as small-flowered leafcup and green-headed coneflower. Wear comfortable walking shoes: there are some short but steep hills. If there has been rain, some places along the canal may be wet. Directions: Meet at the C&O Canal parking lot on Snyder’s Landing Road about two miles northwest of Sharpsburg. From Walkersville, go south on Rt. 194, take Rt. 26 west, go south at Rt. 15 toward Frederick and pick up I-70 going west. At exit 49 (Alt. 40). take Alt. 40 west to Boonsboro, turn left at the light onto Rt. 34 to Sharpsburg. Go past Antietam Battlefield and turn right on Mechanic St. (one block past MD-65), then turn left onto Snyder’s Landing Road and continue to parking lot on right (in a small community of houses). Maximum: 15
5. Gambrill State Park - Saturday Leader: Rod Simmons All trails begin at the Trailhead Parking Lot on the east side of Gambrill Park Road (about half-way up the mountain between the Rock Run area and the High Knob area, on the right side of the road). We will follow the Black Locust Trail - (3.3 miles) This trail is moderately easy to walk. Several steep slopes are mixed with fairly level areas. This trail truly shows the beauty of Gambrill State Park from its wooded slopes to the breathtaking views of both Frederick Valley to the east and Middletown Valley to the west.
Maximum 25.
Directions from Walkersville: Take Biggs Ford Road west out of town to Rt. 15. Head south on Rt. 15 towards Frederick. Fairly soon QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009 make right onto Shookstown Road (exit 7, I believe) and head west a short ways past Shookstown to intersection with Gambrill Park Road. Turn right on Gambrill Park Road and follow one mile to the Rock Run Area entrance on your left to reach the campground. Continue on Gambrill Park Road to reach the trail parking lot. We’ll park and meet at Trailhead Lot. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
SUNDAY FIELD TRIPS
All Sunday trips meet at the trip site at the time indicated. The attached map shows trip locations by number.
6. Big Tree Program Workshop Sunday 10:00 – 2:00 Leader: Joe Metzger
Description: Easy to Moderate Walking. The Big Tree Program which was started by Fred Besley, Maryland’s first State Forester, has been around in one form or another since the first few decades of the twentieth century. It was originated to honor the prescence of trees which often have outlived several generations of humans. On this trip, we will be scouting trees which may be eligible to be listed as Champion Trees. We will measure the circumference and estimate the height and spread as well as determine the species of each potential Big Tree. We will walk and ride to several locations in the park and nearby area. Participants will get an idea of the procedure to determine the eligibility of the tree and will receive a list of tree species in Maryland which do not currently have a MD Champion Tree.
Directions: From South or East, get to Frederick on either I-70 or I-270. Once in Frederick, take US 15 North for about 8 to 10 miles to Thurmont. Watch for the exit for MD 77. Turn right onto the exit and then right onto MD 77 and go back under US 15. Follow MD 77 away from Thurmont and drive several miles up into the park. Look for signs to the Visitors' Center for Catoctin Mountain Park and turn right onto Park Central Road and then almost immediately right into the paved parking lot. If this lot is full, there is a gravel parking lot on the other side of Park Central Road just across from the Visitors' Center. Meet in front of the Visitors' Center.
Contact: Cell Phone (443) 912-0956
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M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
7. Sugarloaf Mountain. Sunday 10 AM – 3 PM Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley, MNPS Board Member, author of An Illustrated Guide to Eastern Woodland Wildflowers and Trees, 350 Plants Observed at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland, and City of Trees; regular field trip leader for MNPS. Description: The trip will include a short steep slow hike to the summit of Sugarloaf, a quartzite monadnock and the only real mountain in Maryland’s historic Piedmont. The black birches and tupelos along the way may be showing some early autumn color. Table mountain pines, several species of oak, American chestnuts and witch-hazels grow near the trail as well as many shrubby members of the heath family. We will then explore the springs and creeks along the western side of the mountain looking for fall wildflowers such as great blue lobelia, two species of jewelweed, and aster family members. We will talk about the history and geology of this National Natural Landmark and Montgomery County’s adjacent Agricultural Reserve, a national model for farmland preservation.
Directions: From I-270 take Route 109—Old Hundred Road (Barnesville, Hyattstown exit) south. Drive three miles to the intersection of Comus Road, just past the Comus Inn. Turn right on Comus Road (west) and drive just under 2 ½ miles to the base of Sugarloaf. At the mountain base turn right and drive through the open gate and up the mountain (note: there are other roads intersecting at the base). Take the mountain road all the way past East View to the West View parking lot. We will meet at the wooden shelter. Portable toilets located at West View. Please carpool if you can. Bring lunch, water and snacks, binoculars and hand lens if you wish. Note: The summit is a bit cooler and breezier than the surrounding countryside.
Contact: Melanie’s cell and email: 301-502-7410; [email protected] QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
8. Ferry Hill, Maryland Sunday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Leader: Rod Simmons, Field Botanist, MNPS Board Member and regular trip leader
Ferry Hill, situated on limestone bluffs high above Lock 38 along the C&O Canal, overlooks the Potomac River and West Virginia. We'll walk from historic Ferry Hill Place down a rocky trail through a forest canopy dominated by Chinquapin Oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum), Black Maple (Acer nigrum), White Ash (Fraxinus americana), and other calciphiles. The herbaceous flora is also diverse here as well and we should see numerous species of Carex, ferns, and wildflowers, including some blooming asters. We'll end up on the towpath below and walk a ways along the rich alluvial floodplain forest and should see fruiting Paw Paws and blooming sunflowers and other fall blooming wildflowers.
Easy to moderate walk. Wear good shoes and bring lunch and water. For those who like to bring field guides, a guide to trees and one that includes asters and sunflowers would be particularly useful. Misting rain or drizzle is fine, trip cancelled in event of pouring rain. We'll park and meet in parking area at Ferry Hill Place.
Directions
From Baltimore: I 695 to (Exit 16) I 70 west towards Frederick continue for 42 miles.
Exit 49 on to US Alternate Route 40, left turn towards Braddock Heights and Middletown continue 11 miles. Left turn in Boonesboro at traffic light on to MD 34 (Shepherdstown Pike) continue 10 miles. Turn right into the entrance to Ferry Hill Place just before Potomac River Bridge.
From Washington DC: Take I 495 to (Exit 38) I 270 North, continue for 29 miles. Merge on to I 70 west towards Hagerstown continue 4 miles. Take Exit 49 and continue as above.
From Northern Virginia: Take 267 West (Dulles Greenway) towards Leesburg VA continue 15 miles. Exit 1A on the left on to VA 7 towards Leesburg, continue 5 miles. Exit on VA 9 right turn towards Hillsboro / Charles Town, continue 10 miles. Slight Right turn on to VA 671 (Harpers Ferry Road), continue 8 Miles. Left turn at QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009 traffic light on to US 340, continue 5 miles. Right turn on WV 230 (Frontage Road) continue 9 miles to Shepherdstown. Turn right on Rt. 34 (Shepherdstown Pike) in Shepherdstown and cross Potomac River Bridge into Maryland. Immediately look for left entrance to Ferry Hill Place and turn into parking lot. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
8. Nolands Ferry Sunday 10 AM – 1 PM Leaders: Dwight and Kirsten Johnson. Dwight is a regular field trip leader and speaker for MNPS and other organizations. Kirsten is President of MNPS.
Description: This will be an easy and scenic walk along the C&O towpath. We’ll stroll through a forest with Paw Paw, Hackberry, Silver Maple, and Sycamore. We will also see large Shumard Oaks, and we’ll stop to identify fall composites and whatever else we find. After the walk, we’ll eat our lunch in the picnic area, which has tables, charcoal grills, and porta-johns. Bring lunch, water, field guides, etc.
Directions: Nolands Ferry is a few miles downstream from Point of Rocks. From Washington: take I-270 west towards Frederick. Exit onto Rt. 28 west (exit 6B). Proceed on Rt. 28 west. After about 24 miles Rt. 28 turns left at the junction of Rt. 85 onto Tuscarora Rd. Stay on Rt. 28. Proceed about one mile and turn left onto New Design Road. Follow down to the picnic area, and park in the lot. From Baltimore: Take I-70 to I-270 east towards Washington. Take exit onto Rt. 85 south (exit 31B – this is the first exit going east on I-270). Proceed 9 miles and turn right onto Rt. 28 (Tuscarora Rd.). Proceed about one mile and turn left onto New Design Road. Follow down to the picnic area, and park in the lot. Contact: Cell phones 201-970-4222; or 551-486-8518
9. Cunningham Falls State Park Leader: Karyn Molines, Former MNPS President, and regular field trip leader.
Description: Cunningham Falls State Park, located in the Catoctin Mountains, is known for its history and scenic beauty, as well as its 78-foot cascading waterfall. The Falls are located one half mile from the lake in the Houck Area via the Falls Trail. We will explore the Lower Trail -- red blaze (0.5 mile) this easy to moderate trail is the shortest and easiest access to the Falls. Interpretive signs and benches along the way. Return to the lake by this trail or Cliff Trail. We’ll take note of flora and fauna along the way with a nice break at the falls. Be sure to bring your camera! We’ll see Numerous rocky outcrops, hardwood forest. Wildlife includes: white-tailed deer, wild turkey, red-tailed hawks. QuickTime™ and a TIFF (LZW) decompressor are needed to see this picture.
M ARYLAND N ATIVE P LANT S OCIETY C ONFERENCE 2009
Directions: Take U.S. 15 north to Thurmont. Exit west on Rte 77. After 4 miles, turn left on Catoctin Hollow Road to reach the Houck Area. Follow signs to the lake and falls. We will meet at the parking lot.
Contact: Karyn Molines Cell phone 410-562-4159