Mountain Club of Maryland Trip Schedule NOVEMBER 2012 – FEBRUARY 2013 The Mountain Club of Maryland is a non-profit organiza- Trail Policies and Etiquette tion, founded in 1934, whose primary concern is to provide its The Club is dependent upon the voluntary cooperation of those members and friends with the opportunity to enjoy nature participating in its activities. Observance of the following guidelines through hiking, particularly in the mountainous areas accessible to will enhance the enjoyment of everyone. Baltimore. 1. Register before the deadline–unless otherwise specified, no later We publish a schedule of hikes, including a variety to please than 9 pm the night before for day trips, and Wednesday night for every taste. Our trips vary in length and difficulty, and include overnight weekend trips. Early registration is helpful. overnight and backpack hikes. We welcome non-members to 2. Trips are seldom cancelled, even for inclement weather. participate in all our activities. Our hikes frequently include If you must cancel, call the leader before he or she leaves for family groups of all ages. Non-members take responsibility for their the starting point. Members and guests who cancel after trip individual safety and welfare on MCM excursions. arrangements have been made are billed for any food or other A “guest fee” of $2.00 is charged non-members. Club mem- expenses incurred. bers, through their dues, underwrite the expense of arranging this 3. Arrive early; the time schedule is for departure – NOT schedule. Guests share these obligations through the medium of the assembly. guest fee. 4. Check with the leader before bringing small children. Radios, alco- From its beginning, the MCM has recognized that moun- holic beverages and drugs are not in harmony with our program. tain trails would not remain in their natural beauty and availabil- The consent of a parent or guardian is required for unaccompanied ity in our expanding population unless interest in maintaining guests under 18 years of age. Smoking is permitted only at break those trails was fostered. Therefore, the Club has affiliated with the time. Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Keystone Trails Association. 5. Adjust to the leader’s pace, neither forging ahead nor falling too The Club maintains over 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail in Penn- far behind. The leader should be told if you drop out, even sylvania and Maryland, as well as trails in the Baltimore area. Also, temporarily. the MCM joins with others in supporting conservation efforts that 6. Leave all flowers and other plants for others to enjoy. improve the hiking environments of Maryland and adjoining areas. 7. Do not litter; “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but foot- More information and additional copies of the schedule may prints, kill nothing but time.” be obtained from our web site at www.mcomd.org or by calling 410- 8. Courtesy to the leader, your fellow hikers, and the landowners is a 377-6266. Suggestions to Hikers primary consideration. 9. The Mountain Club of Maryland, Inc. and/or its leaders, It is important to bring an adequate amount of drinking water— officers, or representatives, shall not be liable for any injury, especially on hot, humid days. At least two quarts are recommended, loss or damage to persons and/or property, direct or conse- and in addition, a sports drink, to help restore electrolytes. Clothing quential, arising out of any trips and/or activities of the Club. that will stand rough usage is essential. Wear enough to keep warm The assumption of risk, which is inherent in this type of while walking and carry a jacket or sweater for inactive periods. Stur- rugged outdoor activity, is implied on the part of each person dy footwear is a must. On long trips, it is advisable to bring a change who attends any club trip; and every person participating in of shoes and clothing, and carry a flashlight. Bring your own lunches any of said trips participating in any of said trips and/or activities on both one-day and weekend trips. A day pack is recommended for assumes all risk and liability in connection therewith. hiker convenience. All trips, unless otherwise specified, require registration Transportation is on a share-expenses basis. The “cost” listed for before the trip date to allow the leader to make preparations. Leaders each trip is an estimate. The leader will adjust this figure to reflect may close registration early when necessary to limit the size of the actual costs at the time of the trip. hike. The leader may also refuse registration to persons who may not On overnight trips bring your own sleeping bag, and check with be sufficiently strong to stay with the group. the leader concerning other equipment needed and food. Denotes Midweek Leisure Hikes Denotes hikes where dogs are permitted. MW (Prior Registration not required) DOG POLICY • The trip leader must be informed when a dog will be attending. • Dog owners are not expected to participate in a car pool with non-dog HIKE GRADING TABLE owners (unless two dog owners and dogs agree). • Dogs must be on a leash at all times and under control. The symbol consists of two characters: a number and a letter. • Rules of the venue must be followed pertaining to pets. The number designates the length of the hike to the • Owners must clean up after their dogs. • Owners must keep dogs away from other people during snack or lunch nearest mile. breaks. The letter designates the difficulty of the hike: E for Easy, • Dogs must be friendly to other dogs and people on an outing. M for Moderate, H for Hard, and S for Strenuous • Dogs do better in cooler weather. Be sure that your dog is up to doing the hike as described in the schedule. PLEASE NOTE: all trips require advance registration unless otherwise specified. Phone: 410-377-6266 / E-mail: [email protected] / Internet: http://www.mcomd.org SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 3 – LOCH RAVEN RESERVOIR – 8M Join us for this fast-paced hike that will have you back by 12:00 pm. Much of this hike is on the Merryman Trail, although we will take some alternate routes. Plenty of views of the beautiful reservoir and some rocky hills. One very steep climb. We will stop for a short snack break. LEAVE: 9:00 am from the trailhead across the street from 10514 Pot Spring Road, Cockeysville, MD 21030. LEADER: Ann Roberts at 410-299-8833 or [email protected] SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 3 – SUSQUEHANNA STATE PARK – 10M Hiking at a brisk pace, we will begin and end along banks of Susquehanna River using riverside and wooded trails. Moderate to steep hills, spectacular river views and various historic landmarks, with stop into the Steppingstone Museum bldgs. LEAVE: 9:00 AM from the Havre de Grace Park and Ride off I-95, Exit 89. LEADER: Diane Mock, (410) 877-7226, or [email protected]. No calls after 9:00pm. SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 3 – BUZZARD ROCKS, MASSANUTTEN MOUNTAINS, VA. – 16S Length: 16 miles; Elevation gain: 3,700 ft. Hike on the Buzzard Rock Trail to Elizabeth Furnace, returning on the Sherman Gap Trail to the Massanutten East Trail. Nice views from the Massanutten East Trail and Buzzard Rocks. Sections of the trail are very rocky. LEAVE: 7:00 AM, Park & Ride, Exit 80, I-70 W and Rt. 32 N. Breakfast stop. Possible dinner stop. LEADER: Karen Klinedinst, 410-889-8225 or [email protected] CARPOOL COST: $15.00 SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 4 – GWYNNS FALLS/LEAKIN PARK – 8M A multi-loop hike in this wooded Baltimore City park. Includes: former mill town of Dickeyville, the Crimea Mansion, a waterwheel, streetcar bridge remains. Bring lunch or snack for midway point. LEAVE: 12 noon from Leakin Park entrance parking lot (1920 Eagle Dr, 21207) before tennis courts. Take I-695 (Balto Beltway) Exit 16 onto I-70 east to end of expressway; follow exit ramp to merge with northbound lanes of Security Blvd (MD-122). At first traffic light turn right onto Forest Park Ave. After 8 short blocks turn right onto Windsor Mill Rd. Pass large meadow on right and turn onto Eagle Dr. LEADER: Reuben Dagold 410-486-8737 [email protected]. SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 4 – MORGAN RUN – 7M We will hike approximately 7 miles at a moderate pace in the Morgan Run Natural Environment Area located in nearby Carroll County. LEAVE: 10am, Route 32 Park and Ride just north of I-70 (Exit 80). LEADER: Mike O’Connor (410) 871-0066 or email [email protected]. CARPOOL COST: $2.00. SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 4 – SUSQUEHANNA STATE PARK – 8-10M Catch the last of Fall on this loop or double loop north of Baltimore. Moderate pace. LEADER: Dorothy Guy, 410-744-6057 or [email protected]. LEAVE: Catonsville Park n Ride (9 a.m.) or White Marsh Park n Ride (9:30 a.m.). Register by Friday, Nov. 2. ESTIMATED CARPOOL COST: $4.00. WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 7 – CATOCTIN MTN PARK – 6M MW Circuit hike to falls & to Hog Rock & Thurmont Vista. Leave 10:00AM from visitor center parking lot. I-70W toward Frederick to Rte.15N toward Thurmont. One mile past Gate/Cozy Inn exit to Rte. 77W to visitor center parking lot on left. LEADERS: June Peterson, 410-242-3982, cell day of hike, 443-845-2777 & Ann Reinhart, 410-788-1566. WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 7 – PVSP AT RIVER ROAD IN HOWARD COUNTY – 7M 7 mile hike with about 1,000’ of climbing & minor stream crossings. LEAVE: 9:45 A.M. from Howard Co. Fairgrounds, take I-70 Exit 80 south 0.25 mile on MD-32, west on MD-144 0.5 mile to fairgrounds.