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Hike Description:
Trail Maps
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We will be hiking along the upper portion of Gunpowder Falls near Prettyboy Reservoir and through a section of the river called Hemlock Gorge. Along the way we'll enjoy the unique historic, cultural, and natural sites of the area. The hike will start just beyond the bridge over Gunpowder Falls near Hoffmanville, MD. See directions below.
For the exact time to meet at the trailhead, contact one of the hike organizers.
This hike will be limited to 12 people plus dogs.
Our hike trailhead is near the site of the Hoffman paper mill. This was the mill that made the paper used for the first US paper currency. Or travels will take us past other reminders of that family's history as well as through Hemlock groves with trees hundreds of years old! The first loop is 4 miles and the second 3 miles for a total of 7 for both loops.
(Gunpowder
loop) The first part of the hike will start on a ridge across from the Hoffman
family cemetery. We'll travel along fire roads through the forest above the
Gunpowder river and then descend into the river valley. Once down by the
river we'll make a stop at the River
Valley Ranch, a youth camp that opens on summer Saturdays to the
public. The ranch has restrooms, stores, snack stands, and welcomes
leashed dogs, so we'll take a snack break there before heading on.
Once on the trail again, we'll travel along the river and then embark on a short bushwack and enjoy a slightly wilder, less traveled part of the river. From there we'll rejoin a fire road and end just below our original trailhead, near the site of the dam which powered the Hoffman paper mill over 150 years ago. Total length for the first loop will be 4 miles.
(Rating for
both) The second loop (Hemlock Gorge loop) will take us on a climb up to the original graveyard of the
Hoffman family, with headstones dating from the beginning of the 19th
century. We'll then travel through woods along fire trails. We'll
cross a stream or two before leaving the road for a smaller trail and a bit of
bushwacking back to the Gunpowder Falls through some briars and mile-a-minute
vine. We'll hike along the flood plain and see a beaver lodge, and a large
population of carp that enjoy the slow, deep waters created by the beaver
dams. The trail then enters Hemlock Gorge, and scenery that looks more
like the Shenandoah Valley than central Maryland; large, mossy stone
outcroppings, dense forest, and cascading river. The trail becomes rocky
and narrow with some significant scrambles in parts as it climbs above and then
drops back down to the river. We'll take this section slowly and may need
to have hike leaders hold dogs while human hikers find their hand and foot
holds. Once back along the river the trail flattens and winds through a
dense hemlock grove. The trail is not maintained and there will be some
deadfall to navigate and another small stream to cross before reaching the
trailhead. Length for the second loop is 3 miles.
The first loop of the hike is rated "B", the second rated "C" and both loops together have a "D" rating. For more information on the rating system, click here.
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As usual, come prepared for the hike. This means appropriate footwear, a hat, and sufficient water for you and your dog (at least a quart for each of you) and snacks and/or lunch for both of you. The weather will likely be hot this time of year, so be prepared for heat and humidity. The trails are rocky and steep in spots, and muddy down near the river, so good hiking shoes are a must.
Also, we will be doing a bit of bushwacking through areas with poison ivy and some brambles. You may want to wear long pants, or have some other way of protecting your legs from scratches.
Basically the main rules we have are that dogs need to stay on leash and under control, and that you scoop your poop. Please bring a 6-8' standard leash for your dog. With a large group, flexible leads can allow people and dogs to trip or tangle, resulting in rope burns or injuries.
We'll be hiking rain or sunshine unless there is severe or dangerous weather. If the weather is too hot, too cold or too wet for you on the day of the hike, don't be afraid to sit this one out. We want you to have fun! We have planned other hikes, so if you don't think you'll enjoy yourself this time, just wait for the next hike.
From Baltimore:
Take the Baltimore Beltway north to I-83 northbound. Take I-83 north to exit 31 (Middletown Rd). At the top of the ramp turn left (west) on Middletown Rd..
Go 4.8 miles and turn left on Beckleysville Rd. (There's a small market on the corner called "Prettyboy Market")
After 0.3 miles, Beckleysville Rd. bears left, but stay straight onto Cotter Rd. (look for a dead, limbless tree at the fork).
Cotter Rd. eventually becomes Clipper Mill Rd. and crosses the Prettyboy Reservoir. Make the first right, onto Gunpowder Rd. Go 0.7 miles and park on the wide road shoulder just beyond the bridge over the Gunpowder River.
From the DC Beltway and points south:
Take I-95 north to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695). Take the inner loop of the beltway north and west (toward Towson). The exit will be from the left lane. From there, follow the directions listed above.
From I-70 and Points West:
Take I-70 east to the Baltimore Beltway (I-695) and take it north. From there, follow the directions listed above from Baltimore.
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To register for the hike and to get the details on meeting location and time, or for anything else about this hike or the hiking club in general, please contact Pat Fuhrer or Jeff Bolognese.
