Mountain Club of Maryland Trip Schedule MARCH – JUNE 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 WEDNESDAY – MARCH 4 – RIDGE, CASCADE FALLS & GRISTMILL TRAILS – 5M MW First half is uphill but no big stream crossings. Lunch at Cascade Falls & then downhill to end. MEET: 10. 00 A.M. Avalon Pavilions in PVSP. Take exit 11 from 695 Beltway onto I-95 towards Washington. Take I-195 toward BWI. Take exit 3 onto US-1 toward Washington. Turn immediately onto South Street. Turn left immediately into park. Go 1.2 miles to stop sign and turn left. Cross bridge and turn right at the Orange Grove pavilions and parking. LEADER: Joan Valentine 410-737-2050 Joanbike@ msn.com WEDNESDAY – MARCH 4 – PATAPSCO VALLEY SP – HILTON/ORANGE GROVE – 7M Hike about 7 miles on both sides of the Patapsco River at a moderate pace with several significant hills and a rock scramble. MEET: Swinging Bridge parking lot in Patapsco Valley SP 5120 South Street (just off Route 1) Baltimore MD 21227. GPS N 39-13’11.0 W076-42’18.3. Once in park go 1.2 miles. Turn left at stop sign and go 1.9 miles to parking lot on left. LEAVE: 10:00 am PROMPLY LEADERS: Chet and Alice Miller 410 747-3346 [email protected] Cell: 410-948-4231 WEDNESDAY – MARCH 4 – GREENBRIER STATE PARK TO ANNAPOLIS ROCKS – 14H This 14 mile hike in Washington and Frederick Counties is one of my personal favorites. The hike offers two impressive views of Greenbrier Lake – one as we’re swooping down on it from within the park, and the second as we’re overlooking it from our lunch spot atop Annapolis Rocks. The hike has about 2,300 feet of ascent (including two 500 foot climbs, both before lunch), contains a number of rocky sections of trail, and has no stream crossings to speak of. Our pace while hiking will be 2.5 - 3 mph. LEAVE: 7:45 AM from Howard County Fairgrounds parking area. (From Exit 80 on I-70, take MD-32 south for about .25 mile; then go west (right) on MD-144 for .5 mile; then turn right at Fairgrounds Rd. and see parking on your left.) LEADER: Jim Koury, at [email protected] (preferred) or 410-747-2868. CARPOOL COST: $6.00 SATURDAY – MARCH 7 – UNION MILLS AND HASHAWHA – 10-11H This hike starts on the Kowomu Trail portion of the Union Mills trails and transits Spiegle Hill before entering Hashawha. We’ll visit the raptor cages and have lunch near the nature center before returning to the Union Mills trails. LEAVE: 9:30 AM from the Owings Mills metro station parking lot (north/east side of I-795). LEADER: Peter Johnson, at [email protected] or cell 805-300-4698. No calls after 8 please. ESTIMATED CARPOOL COST: $2.00. SATURDAY – MARCH 7 – LIBERTY RESERVOIR: MORGAN RUN TRAIL – 10M This out and back hike is a mixture of fire roads and foot paths along the western arm of Liberty Reservoir with many water views on both sides of the Morgan Run tributary. There are a few steep but short hills amounting to about 1400 feet of total elevation gain. There is one short bushwhack and a few easy stream crossing. Note: several sections are perpetually muddy. Lunch will be at the water’s edge. Our pace will be moderate (2.5 – 3 mph moving average). LEAVE: 9:30 A.M. from the Park-N- Ride at 6400 Sykesville Rd, Sykesville, MD 21784 on the east side of Sykesville Rd.