Sierra Club Howard County

Howard County Group - Outings

outings

Outings:

Get online directions to our meeting places. And take a look at our photo gallery to see pictures from previous outings. For outings by other groups, see the Maryland Chapter calendar and the Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings.

2012

Sat. May 5: Harpers Ferry. Strenuous 9 or 11 mile hike through 3 states, with spectacular overlooks of historic Harpers Ferry at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Follow the C&O canal, walk through town, and ascend to Maryland Heights, Loudoun Heights, Split Rocks, and Jefferson Rocks. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Bagel Bin off Rt. 40 in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, for an 8:30 departure. Call Tim Ryan before 9:30 PM, 410-248-2974, hikertimnh48@gmail.com.
Sun. May 6: Garrett County Herp Search. Volunteer to help collect data for the Maryland Amphibian & Reptile Atlas currently underway statewide. This will be a full day trip and should give us the opportunity to see some herps we don't normally see, like slimy salamanders and long-tailed salamanders. Contact Sue Muller for more info, 301-498-8462, sonicsue@verizon.net.
Sat. May 12: McKeldin area, Patapsco State Park. Moderate 4 mile hike along the Patapsco River, past McKeldin Falls. Meet at 9:30 at the parking lot just inside the park entrance off Marriottsville Road, 4 miles north of I-70 on the right. Call James Perschy, 410-964-1902, jameshike@verizon.net.
Sun. May 13: Savage Park, Wincopin Trail, MD. Easy 3.25 mile hike along the Middle and Little Patuxent Rivers. If you are new to hiking, or just want to try it out, this is a good place to start. Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. Trail may be slightly muddy, wear appropriate shoes. Bring water (for you and Fido). Meet at 9:30 at the Savage Park Wincopin Trail parking lot, off Vollmerhausen Road, a quarter mile east of the bridge over I-95. Leader: Nicki, cybertrax1@netzero.net, 410-990-0008.
Sat. May 19: Great Falls Billy Goat Trail, MD. Moderate 7 mile hike on trails near the Potomac River, with short rock scrambles on the Billy Goat Trail. Enjoy dramatic scenery and observe wildlife. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 9:00 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Call Ken Clark, 443-280-4050, kenclark7@live.com.
Sat. May 26: Patapsco Valley State Park, Hilton Area. Moderate 7 mile hike. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 9:15 at the parking lot behind the Hilton Area Nature Center, just inside the Hilton Avenue entrance on the right. Call James Perschy, 410-964-1902, jameshike@verizon.net.
Sun. May 27: Overall Run, VA. Strenuous 10.3 mile hike featuring wading pools and Shenandoah's tallest waterfall. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 8:00 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Call Ken Clark, 443-280-4050, kenclark7@live.com.
Sat.-Mon. May 26-28: Potts Mountain to Bluff City AT Backpack, VA/WV. Moderate 21 mile backpack, 4000 feet of elevation gain with one very steep climb. Hike with one foot in VA and the other in WV while taking in westward views. We will try to set up a shuttle with our trail angels in Pearisburg (small fee). Seasoned backpackers only. Leave from the Rt 32/Broken Land Parkway @ 7:00. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat. June 2: Jug Bay, Patuxent River Park. Explore this tidal marsh by canoe or kayak, then hike a mile for a different perspective. Observe a variety of birds and other animals. Bring lunch and water. Sign up early to reserve a $20 canoe or kayak, or bring your own. Call Ken Clark, 443-280-4050, kenclark7@live.com.
Sat. June 9: Gunpowder Falls State Park, Central Area. Moderate 5 or 10 mile hike, starting with a 5 mile circuit in the Wildlands section, followed by an optional 5 mile circuit to Pot Rocks. Bring lunch and water. Depart Columbia at 9:30 from Long Gate Parkway Park & Ride, off Rt. 100, just east of Rt. 29. Or call to meet at the trailhead. Call Tim Ryan before 9:30 PM, 410-248-2974, hikertimnh48@gmail.com.
Sat.-Mon. June 9-11: Allegheny Trail/AT-Peters Mountain, VA/WV. Strenuous 25 mile backpack, 5000 feet elevation gain. Continue the traverse of the VA/WV border as we hike this isolated ridge top. Seasoned backpackers only. Shuttle cost approximately $35.00/person depending on the number of participants. Leave from the Rt 32/Broken Land Parkway @ 7:00. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat. June 16: Patapsco - Rockburn Branch, MD. Moderate 7-8 mile hike with several stream crossings, following the Patapsco River on the Valley View Trail. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 8:30 in Rockburn Branch Park, the entrance off Landing Road one mile north of Montgomery Road; park in the lot at the end of the road under the power lines. Call James Perschy, 410-964-1902, jameshike@verizon.net.
Wed.-Thu. June 20-21: Massanutten Trail-Edinburg Gap to Mud Hole Gap Backpack, VA. 16-19 mile backpack, 2000 feet elevation gain. Rocky ridge walk with views. Leave from the Rt 32/I-70 Park and Ride @ 8:00. Seasoned backpackers only. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat. June 23: Flag Ponds Nature Park. Easy 4 mile hike down to the beach on the Chesapeake Bay, where we will hunt for shark teeth and other fossils eroded from Calvert Cliffs. Bring lunch to eat on the beach. Depart at 8:30 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Call Ken Clark, 443-280-4050, kenclark7@live.com.
Sun. July 1: Splash in the Middle Patuxent, in Columbia. Cool down with a leisurely 2 hour walk in the middle of the river, through the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area. Learn how this area was protected from development when Columbia was formed. Wear old sneakers, and be prepared to get wet. Optional restaurant lunch afterwards, so bring a change of clothes. Meet at 10:00, 0.8 mile south of Rt. 108 on Trotter Road, at the MPEA parking lot on the left (east). Call Ken Clark, 443-280-4050, kenclark7@live.com.
Sat. July 14: Splash in the Middle Patuxent, Gorman Area Park. Cool down with a leisurely 3-4 hour walk in the middle of the river, from Rt. 29 to Murray Hill Road. Wear appropriate footwear like old sneakers, and be prepared to get wet. Due to hidden slippery rocks in the river, this hike is not appropriate for people with bad ankles/knees/backs. Bring lunch and water, and a towel or change of clothes for the car. Depart at 10:00 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Call Ken Clark, 443-280-4050, kenclark7@live.com.
Sat.-Mon. July 7-9: Great North Mountain/Elliots Knob Backpack, VA. Strenuous 22 mile backpack with 5000 Feet elevation gain and a panoramic view from 4463-foot Elliots Knob. Seasoned backpackers only. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat.-Sun. July 21-22: Torry Ridge/Mills Creek Backpack, VA. Moderate 14 mile backpack, 2600 feet elevation gain. Ridge Top views and a pleasant stream valley to camp in. This trip is suitable for experienced hikers who wish to move up to backpacking. Leave from the Rt 32/Broken Land Parkway @ 8:00. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat. Aug. 4: Splash in the Middle Patuxent, in Savage Park. Cool down with a leisurely 3 hour walk in the middle of the river, from Murray Hill Road to Savage Park. Discover clams and other wildlife. Wear old sneakers, and be prepared to get wet. Due to hidden slippery rocks in the river, this hike is not appropriate for people with bad ankles/knees/backs. Bring a snack and water, and a change of clothes for an optional restaurant lunch after the hike. Meet at 9:30 at the Savage Park Wincopin Trail parking lot, off Vollmerhausen Road, a quarter mile east of the bridge over I-95. Call Ken Clark, 443-280-4050, kenclark7@live.com.
Sat.-Mon. Aug. 4-6: Laurel Highlands Trail-Rt 30 to Rt 56 Backpack, PA. Moderate 24 miles backpack through mature forest, vistas. We will camp in shelter areas. Leave from the Rt 32/I-70 Park and Ride @ 7:00. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat.-Mon. Sep. 1-3: Shenandoah Trail-South Backpack, VA. Strenuous 25 mile backpack, 5000 feet elevation gain. Ridge top hike with lots of views to the east and west. Seasoned backpackers only. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Tue.-Thu. Sep. 11-13: Massanutten Trail-Edinburg Gap to Shawl Gap Backpack, VA. Strenuous 23 mile backpack, 4000 feet elevation gain. Rocky ridge walk with views. Seasoned backpackers only. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat. Sept. 15: Blockhouse Point, MD. Moderate 8 mile hike, starting flat at Pennyfield Lock on the historic C&O canal, then over hilly terrain leading to a great view of the Potomac River from the cliffs over the canal. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 9:00 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Or meet us at 9:55 at Pennyfield Lock. Call Ken Clark, 443-280-4050, kenclark7@live.com.
Sat.-Mon. Sep. 22-24: Roaring Plains Base Camp Backpack, VA. Hike in 2.5 miles and set up camp on Day 1. Hike 12-14 miles around the canyon rim with 1100 feet of elevation gain on Day 2. Retrace Day 1 steps on Day 3. Seasoned backpackers only. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat.-Mon. Loyalsock State Forest Backpack, PA. Moderate 20 mile backpack, Loyalsock Trail-Brunnerdale Road to Worlds End State Park. 4000 feet of elevation gain with at least 4 waterfalls and 6 vistas. Seasoned backpackers only. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.
Sat.-Mon. Oct. 27-29: North Country Recreational Trail Backpack, PA. Moderate 25 mile backpack, Tionesta Creek to Cook Forest SP in Allegheny National Forest. Pretty streams, views and the state's largest stand of virgin hemlocks. Pre-registration required. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

The Howard County Sierra Club group does not charge any fee for leading outings, but some outings do require unspecified park entrance fees or rental fees for items such as canoes or inner tubes.
Participants on Sierra Club outings must sign a liability waiver. The Club encourages outings participants to carpool to the trailhead, but such travel is at the participants discretion, and risk. Outings normally begin at the trailhead.