Mountain Club of Maryland Trip Schedule NOVEMBER 2014 – FEBRUARY 2015 The Club is dependent upon the voluntary Trail Policies and Etiquette cooperation of those participating in its activities. Observance of the following guidelines will enhance the enjoyment The Mountain Club of Maryland (MCM) is a non-profit organization, of everyone: founded in 1934, whose primary concern is to provide its members and • Register before the deadline. Early registration for overnight or com- guests the opportunity to enjoy nature through hiking and other activi- plicated trips is especially helpful. Leaders may close registration early ties, particularly in the mountainous areas accessible to Baltimore. when necessary to limit the size of the trip. The leader may also refuse We publish a hike and activities schedule, with varieties in location registration to persons who may not be sufficiently strong to stay with and difficulty. We welcome guests to participate in most of our activi- the group. ties. We include some specialized hikes, such as family or nature hikes. • Trips are seldom canceled, even for inclement weather. Check with We help each other, but ultimately everyone is responsible for their the leader when conditions are questionable. If you must cancel, call individual safety and welfare on MCM trips. the leader before he or she leaves for the starting point. Members and We generally charge a guest fee of $2 for non-members. This fee is guests who cancel after trip arrangements have been made are billed waived for members of other Appalachian Trail maintaining clubs. Club for any food or other expenses incurred. members, through their dues, pay the expenses associated with publish- • Arrive early. The time posted on the schedule is for departure, not ing this schedule, maintaining our website, maintaining trails, etc. Guests assembly. contribute to these obligations through the medium of the guest fee. • Check with the leader before bringing small children. The consent of From its beginning, MCM members have recognized that our trails a parent or guardian is required for unaccompanied guests under 18 would not remain in their natural beauty and available unless interest years of age. in maintaining these trails is fostered. Therefore, the club has affiliated • Enjoy the natural environment, and allow other to do the same. with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Keystone Trails Associa- Exercise discretion and courtesy with cell phones and other electronic tion and other advocacy groups. MCM maintains over 40 miles of the devices. Courtesy to the leader, your fellow hikers, and the landowners Appalachian Trail in Maryland and Pennsylvania, as well as other trails is a primary consideration. in the area. MCM also contributes to conservation and natural preserva- • Adjust to the leader’s pace, neither forging ahead nor falling too far tion projects. behind. The leader should be told if you drop out, even temporarily. An updated version of this schedule is always available on our website • Leave all flowers and other plants for others to enjoy. Do not litter; take at www.mcomd.org. There is an abridged public version of the schedule trash with you if proper disposal is not available. Stay on the footpath. available. Members must log in to view the full version of the schedule. MCM supports Leave No Trace principles. “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints, kill nothing but time.” Suggestions to Hikers • Comply with all rules and laws applicable to the hiking venue. • Remember that the leader is a volunteer. The trip description is an overview and a plan, not an exact itinerary. The hike leader may make The Mountain Club of Maryland, Inc. and/or its leaders, officers, changes at his/her discretion. or representatives, shall not be liable for any injury, loss or damage to • It is important to bring an adequate amount of drinking water—espe- persons and/or property, direct or consequential, arising out of any cially on hot, humid days. At least two quarts are recommended, and in trips and/or activities of the Club. The assumption of risk, which is addition, a sports drink to help restore electrolytes. inherent in this type of rugged outdoor activity, is implied on the part • Clothing that will stand rough usage is essential. of each person who attends any club trip; and every person participat- • Wear enough to keep warm while walking and carry a jacket or sweater ing in any of said trips and/or activities assumes all risk and liability in for inactive periods. connection therewith. • Sturdy footwear is a must. • On long trips, it is advisable to bring a change of shoes and clothing, Denotes Midweek Leisure Hikes and carry a flashlight. (Prior Registration not required) • Bring your own lunch and other foods as the length of the trip warrants MW to sustain your energy. • A daypack is recommended for hiker convenience. • Expenses are estimates, and may be adjusted. Denotes the only hikes where dogs are permitted. • On overnight trips, check with the leader concerning any equipment needed. DOG POLICY • Advise the leader immediately when an issue is identified, such as •The trip leader must be informed when a dog will be attending. forgotten water or food, equipment malfunctions, injuries, etc. •Dog owners are not expected to participate in a car pool with non-dog owners (unless two dog owners and dogs agree). •Dogs must be on a leash at all times and under control. HIKE GRADING TABLE •Rules of the venue pertaining to pets must be followed. •Owners must clean up after their dogs. The symbol consists of two characters: a number and a letter. •Owners must keep dogs away from other people during snack or lunch The number designates the length of the hike to the 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. •Dogs do better in cooler weather. Be sure that your dog is up to doing the M for Moderate, H for Hard, and S for Strenuous 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 1 – GREAT FALLS, VIRGINIA – 12M We will hike the narrow, rocky Ridge Trail along the Potomac River and various other trails in Great Falls and River Bend Park to thenorth. The spectacular view of the falls is the highlight of this trip. Pace willbe 2.5 - 3 mph. LEAVE: 7:45 AM from two different locations. LOCATION 1:Presbyterian Circle Park and Ride, 21045. From I-70 take exit 87 (left if westbound on I-70) onto US 29 South about 4.5 miles to MD 108 East exit 21A. Turn right at the first street, Presbyterian Circle. Park & Ride is on your right. LOCATION 2: Crofton Country Club, 21114. From Baltimore: I-97 South to exit 7 onto Rt 3 South. In 5-6 miles, take left at lightat Crawford Blvd (which is the second light after McDonald’s in the median strip. Road to the right is Cronson.) Bear right and take the first left into the country club. Take the next two quick lefts and park on the left side of the parking lot. LEADER: Marge Guinard [email protected] / 410-721-1106 No calls after 8:00 pm. CARPOOL COST: $5. SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 1 – PRETTYBOY WATERSHED – CCC TRAILS – 7.5M A 7+ mile hike on the west side of Prettyboy Reservoir on fireroads and trails that were actually built by the Civil Conservation Corps (Pres. Roosevelt). These trails are some of the most popular trails at Prettyboy. Several great waterviews. Closeup views of Goose Island. Bring a lunch & water. Pace will be 2.5 mph. LEAVE: 9:00 a.m. from Mt. Carmel Rd. Park & Ride. I-83 north, Exit 27. LEADER: Caryn Joachim 410-374-4879. [email protected]. No calls after 8 p.m. CARPOOL COST: $2.00 SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 2 – LEAKIN/GWYNNS FALLS PARKS – 7M An approximately 7-mile circuitous hike through this Baltimore City woodland. LEAVE: 10:00 A.M. from Leakin Park entrance parking lot (1920 Eagle Dr, 21207). Take I-695 (Baltimore Beltway) Exit 16 onto I-70 east and follow 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, at first traffic light, turn right onto Windsor Mill Rd. Pass large meadow on right and turn right onto Eagle Dr to parking lot before tennis courts. LEADER: Reuben Dagold (410)486-8737, [email protected] WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 5 – MCKELDIN AREA PSVP – 5M MW LEAVE: 10.00 A.M. From gatehouse parking lot. From Liberty Rd. West on Marriottdville Rd about 4 miles to park entrance on left. From I-70W exit Marriottsville Rd north about 4 miles to park entrance on right. LEADER: Alan Slutsky 410–998-9255. WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 5 – AT: GATHLAND SP TO WHITE ROCKS OVERLOOK – 7M A 7-mi. out-and-back hike north from Gathland State Park to White Rocks at a 2 mph pace. Total elevation gain 700’. LEAVE: 8:45 a.m. from Howard County Fairgrounds. Take I-70 Exit 80 south on MD-32, 0.25 mi to west on MD-144, 0.5 mi. to fairgrounds. LEADER: Reuben Dagold 410-486-8737, [email protected]. CARPOOL COST: $5.00. WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 5 – AT ACROSS MD SERIES – 10H One of a series of 9 hikes on the Appalachian Trail across Maryland. An out and back hike of a total of 10.4 miles going north from Wolfsville Rd.