Mountain Club of Maryland Trip Schedule NOVEMBER 2013 – FEBRUARY 2014 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 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 2 – GUNPOWDER FALLS SP/HEREFORD AREA – 11 H This hilly 11 mile circuit hike covers the Mingo Forks, Bunker Hill, Gunpowder South and the Panther Branch trails. The pace will be moderate, about 2.5 to 3 MPH. LEAVE 9:30 AM from the Mt. Carmel Rd. park and ride, exit 27 off I-83. LEADER: Donald Lears (410) 871-9108. No calls after 8 PM, [email protected] SUNDAY – NOVEMBER 3 – SUGAR LOAF MOUNTAIN – 10H This is a circuit hike utilizing various trails in the park. Lunch will be at White Rocks. The total elevation change will be approximately 2000 feet. Our pace will be moderate (our average speed while moving will be 2.5 - 3 mph). LEAVE: 8:30 AM from the Rt 32 (I-70, exit 80) Park & Ride. LEADER: Peter Johnson, at [email protected] or cell 805-300-4698. ESTIMATED CARPOOL COST: $5.00 WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 6 – JERUSALEM MILL– 5M MW This is a loop on the Little Gunpowder trail from Jerusalem Mill to Belair Rd and back with ONE WIDE stream crossing and some steep hills. A walking stick and hiking boots will be helpful. There are bathroom facilities at the park headquarters. Note: Mountain bikers use these trails which keeps them muddy longer. LEAVE: 10 A.M. Jerusalem Mill parking lot. Take Belair Rd. about 8 miles North of the Beltway (695). Turn right at Jerusalem Rd. (It is diagonal from Belair Rd. just before a stop light). Follow for about 2 miles to the park headquarters, parking lot is on the left. LEADER: Ginny Lipscomb, 410-285-0835, cell morning of hike only, 410-868-9587 [email protected] WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 6 – PVSP AT RT. 32 IN HOWARD COUNTY – 7M This hike has about 1,000’ of climbing and many stream crossings. LEAVE: 9:45 A.M. from Howard County Fairgrounds, take I-70 Exit 80 south 0.25 mile on MD-32, west on MD-144 0.5 mile to fairgrounds. LEADER: Monica Fortner 410-381-5489. [email protected] We will have a short carpool to the trail head. WEDNESDAY – NOVEMBER 6 – BUCK RIDGE/HAMMONDS ROCKS/POLE STEEPLE TRAILS – 13H/S This is a circular hike. The hike starts in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. We will follow the Buck Ridge Trail gradually climbing 650 feet to the top of Buck Ridge in four miles. At the top of Buck Ridge we follow the Hammonds Rocks Trail to a scenic view where we will have lunch. After eating we will descend Buck Ridge on a forest Rd. (Cold Springs Rd.), reenter Pine Grove Furnace State Park, cross Mountain Creek via a pedestrian bridge and ascend the Pole Steeple Trail to the AT. (The Pole Steeple climb is 500 feet in one mile.) Upon reaching the AT, we turn south following the AT to the parking lot in Pine Grove Furnace State Park. LEAVE: 7:00 A.M. from Howard County Fairgrounds, (take I-70 Exit 80 south on MD-32, 0.25 mile to MD-144, west 0.5 mile to fairgrounds. LEADER: John Breivogel, emails only at [email protected]. CARPOOL COST: $8.00 SATURDAY – NOVEMBER 9 – PVSP DANIELS TO PVSP HOLLIFIELD, – 9+M This out & back hike has hills (some steep) and stream crossings. LEAVE: 10:00 AM. From Balt. Beltway, take I-70 W for 4m. Take 1st exit (US 29 North) for 0.5m. Turn R on Rodgers Ave. (MD 99) for 0.7m.