The outings schedule will be updated monthly.

Important information for all outings participants. Advance registration NOT required unless requested in hike description.

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Baltimore Inner City Outings

Founded in 1999, BICO provides under-served Baltimore City youth with educational, enjoyable, safe, cost-free outdoor experiences. Since start-up, BICO has conducted more than 200 outings ranging from nature hikes and camping to community service for Baltimore’s Recreation & Parks Dept. BICO welcomes new volunteers. For more information, please visit the BICO website.

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WANTED: Hike leaders for the Greater Baltimore Group. No experience needed. We will provide training. Have fun, enjoy the outdoors and help others to do the same. Call Jack at 410-256-3963.
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AUGUST

Sunday, August 3 GB - Easy/Moderate 3-4 miles
Learn about the lost town of Warren and explore some of the remaining ruins of this historic town that was flooded in 1922 with the Loch Raven Reservoir. We may be joined by a local resident and amateur historian who made a video of Warren's history. Meet at the southeast corner of the Cranbrook Shopping Center on Cranbrook Road near Ridgland, at 3:00 PM. We may have a cookout or share pizza after the hike. Call Paul at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net

Saturday, August 16 Full Moon Hayride and Farm Tour.
Cost will be $10.00 per person. We will meet at 7:00 PM at the church parking lot on Seminary Ave at Dulaney Valley Road 1/2 mile north of I695. Tractor-pulled hayride starts at 7:30 PM at Yoder's Land of Promise Farm in Long Green. We will hopefully see the full moon. After the hayride we will have refreshments of soda, cider, hot dogs, and marshmallows around a bonfire, with guitar music and singalong. Extra instruments invited! Activity will end about 10:00 PM. For more information and reservations call Lynn at 443-986-1100, or Paul at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children OK with prior approval.

Sat. Aug. 23 GB – Moderate. Kayaking at Rocky Point Park
Kayak from this waterfront park to Hart Miller Island, a short paddle across in the Chesapeake Bay. Hart Miller (built from dredge spoil) is a favorite hangout for boaters and has a campground, observation tower, sandy swimming beaches, waterfowl, and floating vendors. Meet at 10 AM at the boat launch in the far end of Rocky Point Park past the beach area. Bring your own kayak. It is required to wear a life jacket. There is an admission fee to the park, which has a sandy beach, grassy shaded area with picnic tables and playground, sailboat rentals, and a marshy area with a fishing pier. The park is reached from Rt. 702 and Back River Neck Rd. from the Baltimore Beltway 695 east. Kayaking is weather-dependent—no threat of thunderstorms and no high waves on the Bay. For details, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com


SEPTEMBER

Sat. Sept. 6 GB – Moderate. Stony Run Trail Hike (Older children and dogs are welcome)
5½ miles along the Stony Run stream through Baltimore neighborhoods including Hampden and Roland Park and through Wyman Park. The trail is well-maintained, mostly flat and shaded, with scenery ranging from jungle to manicured parks. Go underneath several bridges decorated with graffiti. See the results of extensive stream restoration by Baltimore City and the planting of native trees by the Jones Falls Watershed Association and other volunteers. Children under 18 must be able to hike this distance and be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Dogs must be friendly. Optional lunch afterwards. Meet at 10 AM and park on either side of Wyman Park Drive beside the ex-Stieff Silver and the Boy Scouts headquarters, or in the parking lot on the left with the Jones Falls Trail sign. From 28th or 29th Street just east of the Jones Falls Expressway, turn north onto Keswick Rd-Sisson St. and then take the first left onto Wyman Park Drive. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Sat. Sept. 13 GB – Easy. Gunpowder Falls between Falls and Bunker Hill Rds.
4 miles. Hike will follow portions of the Gunpowder North and South Trails along one of the prettiest sections of river in the state. Trail is level but long pants and sleeves are recommended to protect against occasional overgrowth. Will discuss efforts to protect river quality. Meet at 1:00 PM at parking area where Masemore Rd. meets the Gunpowder. Take I-83 to Mt. Carmel Rd. and exit west. After approx. one-half mile turn right onto Masemore Rd. Continue 1.5 mi. to parking area after sharp curve and just before bridge. Some additional parking across bridge. For more details, call Alan at 443-212-5082 or email f-pencze@mail.vjc.edu.

Sat. Sept 13 GB - Easy. Endangered Species Hike
Visit one of 37 wetlands in the Greater Baltimore area that support a threatened-endangered species and hike an adjoining forest preserved from land uses that would jeopardize endangered species. The four-mile hike will take us along a portion of the Ncr Trail then onto the Bee Tree Preserve, owned by Towson Presbyterian Church. The Church has preserved this 258-acre woodland. It is our hope that we can help the owners of lands affecting the 37 wetlands to adopt similar preservation measures. During the hike you'll enjoy some beautiful woodlands while learning how you could help save one of these wetlands and the Chesapeake Bay. Meet at the park and ride lot at I-83 Exit 36 (MD 439) at 10:00 AM. Children OK with prior approval. Sorry, no pets. Call Richard at 410-654-3021 or email GBSierra@ceds.org for details.

Fri. Sept 19 GB – Easy. Happy Hour and Social
Members and non-members are invited to meet 6 – 8 PM for socialization, happy hour, and dinner at the Charred Rib in the Ridgely Shopping Center in Lutherville near York Road. Walking distance to the Lutherville light rail station. For details, contact Paul at 410-667-4889 or pstech@smart.net

Sat. Sept 20 – GB Moderate. C&O Canal (Sharpsburg to Shepardstown)
7 mile hike along the C&O Canal from Sharpsburg to Shepardstown and back. We will examine how the canal and locks were constructed and operated. Possible dinner stop after hike. Meet at 9:30 AM at Southwest Park & Ride. Leader: Bill 410-574-1453.

Sun. Sept. 28 GB – Moderate. Antietam Battlefield Historical Hike
6-8 mile guided tour around the Antietam Battlefield in observation of the battle on September 17, 1862. The walk is mostly flat and paved. Bring your lunch. Possible dinner stop afterwards. We’ll meet at 9:30 AM at the park-and-ride on Rt. 32, just off Rt. 70. For information, call John at 443-739-6439.


OCTOBER

Thurs. Oct. 2 GB - Outings Planning Meeting
New and prospective outings leaders are welcome to attend the next quarterly meeting of the Greater Baltimore Group’s Outings Committee on Thursday, Oct. 2nd. Come plan new outings and meet other outings leaders. If you're interested in leading outings and are curious about what is involved, come and talk with the outings leaders. The meeting will be held at the Panera Bread restaurant in Timonium, beginning with dinner and socialization at 6:30 PM in a quiet corner and the meeting to follow at 7:00. From I-83 north, take exit 16 Timonium Rd. east, turn left on York Rd., and turn right at the next light for the Timonium Center across from the State Fairgrounds. For more information, call Bette at 410-666-2696.

Sat. Oct. 4 GB – Moderate. Glen Ellen – Seminary Trail Hike (Dogs and older children are welcome)
6 mile hike around coves bordering Loch Raven Reservoir, along streams, and through woodlands, walking along relatively flat paths and a fire road. Learn about this diverse habitat, including invasive vines creating meadows by snapping off trees. Children under 18 must be able to hike this distance and be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Dogs must be friendly. Meet at 11:00 AM where you can park on Seminary Ave. just past the light to the left off Dulaney Valley Rd., north of the Baltimore Beltway. For information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Sat. Oct. 18 GB – Moderate. Oregon Ridge Park.
5 miles. Enjoy the fall colors on this figure-8 hike to Ivy Hill Pond. Some shallow stream crossings. Will include a visit to the nature center. Meet in front of nature center at 1:00 PM. Take I-83 to Shawan Rd. and exit west. After approx. 1 mile turn left at stoplight onto Beaver Dam Rd. Turn immediately onto right fork into park. Follow road one-half mile to end and walk up to nature center. For more details, call Alan at 443-212-5082 or email f-pencze@mail.vjc.edu.

Sat. & Sun. Oct. 25 & 26 - Moderate. Car Camping at Caldedonia State Park in PA
Camping and day hiking along lakes and streams in the Michaux State Forest in Southern Pennsylvania. Call Jack for details 410-256-3963.


NOVEMBER

Sat. Nov. 1 - GB Moderate. Kelly Run & Pinnacle Overlook Hike
8 Miles with a good chance of seeing bald eagles. Meet at 10:00 AM at K-Mart on Rt. 1 just north of the Baltimore Beltway Exit 32. Call Jack for details 410-256-3963.

Sun. Nov. 9 GB – Moderate. Prettyboy Trail Hike (Older children and dogs are welcome)
7 miles along the shoreline and through forests around Prettyboy Reservoir on the old Prettyboy Trail. This will be a shuttle from parking at George’s Creek to the Tracey Store Rd. parking lot for the CCC trails. The trail is newly re-discovered and maintained by the GB Sierra Club in collaboration with the Prettyboy Watershed Alliance and the Mountain Club of Maryland. Enjoy the pristine water and wildlife along this isolated trail. The trail is cleared to varying degrees, with some climbing over or bushwhacking around downed trees and walking through overgrown coves and across steams. Children under 18 must be able to hike this distance and be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Dogs must be friendly. Meet at 10:00 AM at the Mt Carmel Rd. Park and Ride just west off Rt. 83 north of the Baltimore Beltway. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Saturday, Nov 15 Full Moon Hayride and Farm Tour.
Cost will be $10.00 per person. We will meet at 7:00 PM at the church parking lot on Seminary Ave at Dulaney Valley Road 1/2 mile north of I695. Tractor-pulled hayride starts at 7:30 PM at Yoder's Land of Promise Farm in Long Green. We will hopefully see the full moon. After the hayride we will have refreshments of cocoa, spiced cider, hot dogs, and marshmallows around a bonfire, with guitar music and singalong. Extra instruments invited! Activity will end about 10:00 PM. For more information and reservations call Lynn at 443-986-1100, or Paul at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children OK with prior approval.

Sun. Nov. 30 GB – Easy. Loch Raven Late Afternoon Hike and Star Party
Come just for the hike, just for the gaze, or both! The HIKE will be 3 miles to a scenic overlook above the reservoir. The GAZE will be to watch the conjunction of Venus, Jupiter, and the crescent moon just after sunset (sun sets at 4:45). All are easily seen with the naked eye, but bring binoculars or a telescope if you have them. Also bring something to sit on (such as a folding chair) and refreshments if you like. Meet at 3:00 PM at Loch Raven Drive and Morgan Mill Rd. for the hike. For the gaze we will set up one-half mile south on the lawn near the “island” in the reservior. Hike will still take place if cloudy. For more details, call Alan at 443-212-5082 or email f-pencze@mail.vjc.edu.


DECEMBER

Cross Country Sking anytime when snow conditions allow.
Trips to Western Maryland and West Virginia may be planned. Call Jack for details 410-256-3963.

Fri. Dec 5 - Sun. Dec 7 GB – Easy. Camping and Historical outing in Harpers Ferry, WV.
We will leave the Baltimore area about 4:00 PM Friday evening and stay in a Kabin at the Harpers Ferry KOA http://www.koa.com/where/wv/48107/ Friday and Saturday. Carpooling is encouraged, and alternate arrangements may be made among participants. We will discuss the history of Harpers Ferry and the Civil War Battle of Antietam. Saturday morning is a good opportunity to visit the nearby Hagerstown factory outlets, including LL Bean and Timberland. Saturday evening we will take a short drive to Antietam to experience the annual illumination http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm. Sunday we will take a 3-5 mile easy hike on part of the Appalachian Trail and the C&O canal, and visit historical sites in Harpers Ferry. For more information and reservations, contact Paul (preferably two weeks ahead) at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children and pets OK with prior approval.

Sat. Dec. 13 GB – Easy/Moderate. Holiday Hike through Hampden and on Jones Falls Trail through Druid Hill Park (Older children are welcome)
4 miles on mostly flat paved trail and sidewalks beginning with a stroll around Druid Lake on a ridge overlooking the City. Visit the glass house of the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, decorated with poinsettias for the holidays. Continue through the Druid Hill Park on the new Jones Falls Trail into renovated and yuppified Woodberry and Clipper Mill area. Walk through Hampden, past fascinating shops decorated for the holidays. Lunch stop at Café Hon, Holy Frijoles, or another eccentric area restaurant. Finish by walking down the famous Miracle on 34th Street, with its to-be-seen decorations, then past the old mill houses in Stone Hill back to our cars. Children under 18 must be able to hike this distance and be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Meet at 11 AM and park on either side of Wyman Park Drive beside the ex-Stieff Silver and the Boy Scouts headquarters, or in the parking lot on the left with the Jones Falls Trail sign. From 28nd or 29th Street just east of the Jones Falls Expressway, turn north onto Keswick Rd./Sisson St. and then take the first left onto Wyman Park Drive. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.