Mountain Club of Maryland Trip Schedule NOVEMBER, 2008 – FEBRUARY, 2009 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 members and friends with the opportunity to enjoy nature those participating in its activities. Observance of the following through hiking, particularly in the mountainous areas accessible guidelines will enhance the enjoyment of everyone. to Baltimore. We publish a schedule of hikes, including a variety to please 1. Register before the deadline–unless otherwise specified, no every taste. Our trips vary in length and difficulty, and include later than 9 pm the night before for day trips, and Wednesday overnight and backpack hikes. We welcome non-members to night for overnight weekend trips. Early registration is helpful. participate in all our activities. Our hikes frequently include 2. Trips are seldom cancelled, even for inclement weather. If family groups of all ages. Non-members take responsibility for you must cancel, call the leader before he or she leaves for their individual safety and welfare on MCM excursions. the starting point. Members and guests who cancel after trip A “guest fee” of $2.00 is charged non-members. Club mem- arrangements have been made are billed for any food or other bers, through their dues, underwrite the expense of arranging expenses incurred. this schedule. Guests share these obligations through the medium 3. Arrive early; the time schedule is for departure – NOT of the guest fee. assembly. From its beginning, the MCM has recognized that mountain 4. Check with the leader before bringing small children. Pets are trails would not remain in their natural beauty and availability in not permitted. Radios, alcoholic beverages and drugs are not our expanding population unless interest in maintaining those in harmony with our program. The consent of a parent or trails was fostered. Therefore, the Club has affiliated with the guardian is required for unaccompanied guests under 18 years Appalachian Trail Conference and the Keystone Trails Associa- of age. Smoking is permitted only at break time. tion. The Club maintains over 40 miles of the Appalachian Trail 5. Adjust to the leader’s pace, neither forging ahead nor falling in Pennsylvania and Maryland, as well as trails in the Baltimore too far behind. The leader should be told if you drop out, even area. Also, the MCM joins with others in supporting conserva- temporarily. tion efforts that improve the hiking environments of Maryland 6. Leave all flowers and other plants for others to enjoy. and adjoining areas. 7. Do not litter; “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but More information and additional copies of the schedule may footprints, kill nothing but time.” be obtained from our web site at www.mcomd.org or by calling 8. Courtesy to the leader, your fellow hikers, and the landowners 410-377-6266. is a primary consideration. Suggestions to Hikers 9. The Mountain Club of Maryland, Inc. and/or its leaders, Clothing that will stand rough usage is essential. Wear enough officers, or representatives, shall not be liable for any injury, to keep warm while walking and carry a jacket or sweater for loss or damage to persons and/or property, direct or con- inactive periods. Sturdy footwear is a must. On long trips, it is sequential, arising out of any trips and/or activities of the advisable to bring a change of shoes and clothing, and carry a Club. The assumption of risk, which is inherent in this type of flashlight and full canteen. Bring your own lunches on both one- rugged outdoor activity, is implied on the part of each person day and weekend trips. A day pack is recommended for hiker who attends any club trip; and every person participating in any convenience. of said trips participating in any of said trips and/or activities Transportation is on a share-expenses basis. The “cost” listed assumes all risk and liability in connection therewith. for each trip is an estimate. The leader will adjust this figure to All trips, unless otherwise specified, require registration reflect actual costs at the time of the trip. before the trip date to allow the leader to make preparations. On overnight trips bring your own sleeping bag, and check Leaders may close registration early when necessary to limit the with the leader concerning other equipment needed. Food for size of the hike. The leader may also refuse registration to persons breakfasts and suppers is purchased by the leader and the cost is who may not be sufficiently strong to stay with the group. pro-rated. Denotes Midweek Leisure Hikes Denotes hikes which qualify for the MW (Prior Registration not required) MHA Maryland Hiker Award HIKE GRADING TABLE The symbol consists of two characters: a number and a letter. The number designates the length of the hike to the nearest mile. The letter designates the difficulty of the hike:E for Easy, M for Moderate, H for Hard, and S for Strenuous 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 – APPALACHIAN TRAIL, ROUTE 522 TO COMPTON PEAK OUT AND BACK – 13S Hike 13 miles on the A/T in northern Virginia with around 1900’ elevation gain. Nice views from Possums Rest. Dinner stop in Front Royal. LEAVE: 7am, I70 & Route 32 Park & Ride. LEADER: Ron Eshleman, 410-926-9298 or [email protected]. ESTIMATED CARPOOL COST: $13.00. SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 1 – SUGARLOAF MOUNTAIN – 11H MHA This 11 1/2 mile hike is actually two circuit hikes -- one before lunch and one after. Many sections of trail are very rocky, total ascent is 2,000+ feet (some of which comes in the form of steep inclines), and our pace will be moderate (that is, our average speed while moving will be 2.5 - 3 mph). Lunch will be at the spectacular Summit Overlook. LEAVE: 8:15 AM from the Rte 32 Park and Ride just north of I-70 (exit 80). LEADER: Jim Koury, at [email protected] or 410-747-2868. CARPOOL COST: $5.00. SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 2 – PRETTYBOY RES./ LAUREL HIGHLANDS – CLIPPER MILL RD. – 9H MHA An 8.7 mile hike with some hills and a tricky bushwhack to the reservoir for lunch. Pace averages 2.5 miles per hour. LEAVE: 9:30 a.m. from Middletown Road Park-N-Ride, I-83 north, Exit 31. LEADERS: Carolyn and Bill Bauer (410) 661-3182 / [email protected]. No calls after 9:00 P.M. CARPOOL COST: $1.00. WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 5 – HARFORD RD. TO JERUSALEM MILL – 7M MHA Moderately paced tweener hike of approximately 7.5 miles from Harford Rd to Historic Jerusalem Mill with some hills and streams. LEAVE: 9.30A.M. from Carney Park and Ride. .5 miles north of I-695 exit 31. LEADERS: John and Sally Heyn 410-363-2620 CARPOOL COST: $1.00 WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 5 – APPALACHIAN TRAIL IN MARYLAND – 8M MHA An out and back hike of a total of 8.3 miles going north from US-40 to Pogo Campground plus side trip to Annapolis Rocks overlook. Total elevation gain is 1,500’ with longest climb of 500’ over 0.9 mile. Pace averages 2.5 miles per hour. LEAVE: 8:45 A.M. from Howard County Fairgrounds, take I-70 Exit 80 south on MD-32, 0.25 mile to west on MD-144, 0.5 mile to fairgrounds. LEADER: Reuben Dagold (410) 486-8737 / reubendagold@comcast. net. CARPOOL COST: $6.00. WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 5 – LEAKIN PARK – 5E MW New paved & old unpaved trails. LEAVE:: 10:00 AM from Gwynns Falls Park entrance. From I-695 take exit 16 E. Turn at last exit before Park & Ride. Curve around to traffic light. Turn right, then immediate right onto Franklintown Rd. Go about 1.7 miles to park entrance on left. LEADER: Shirley Heintz, 410-867-1229, cell day of hike, 410-353-3816. SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 8 – PATAPSCO VALLEY STATE PARK: GLEN ARTNEY AND HILTON – 9M MHA This 9 mile hike offers great variety: mature forests, open fields, hiking along streams and the river, historic Bloedes’ Dam, and a couple of nice overlooks (including lunch at Ilchester Rocks). The hike has six stream crossings, a total ascent of 1,000+ feet, and some sections of rocky trail. Our pace will be moderate (that is, our average speed while moving will be 2.5 - 3 mph). There is a convenient rest stop at the Hilton area park both outbound and inbound with full restroom facilities and water fountains. For those who desire, I will be offering on-the-trail instruction in topographic map reading, terrain recognition, and orientation techniques as we move along the hike route.LEAVE: 10:00 AM from the Southwest Park and Ride, at the intersection of I-195 and Rolling Rd (Rte 166). This parking lot is located at the opposite end of I-195, west, from BWI. LEADER: Mark Beck, at [email protected] or 410-312-9005. SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 8 – BLUFF TRAIL/BIG DEVIL’S STAIR CASE – 15S 14.5 mile long loop hike with an elevation gain of a little over 1000’ in the Shenandoah National park, Virginia. We’ll travel on the AT and the Bluff trail and see vistas on Marshall mountain and make a side trip to the Big Devil’s staircase. Stops for both breakfast and dinner. LEAVE: 7am, I-70 & Route 32 Park & Ride. LEADER: Sarven Sabunciyan, 410-497-5795 or [email protected].