PATC Hikes & Events

Catoctin Mountain Park: A Moderately challenging 5.1 or 8.4 Mile Hike

Nestled deep within the forested mountains of Western Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park stands as a testament to the region’s rugged beauty and natural heritage. As one of more than 420 national park units in the United States, Catoctin Mountain Park offers a sprawling network of 25 miles of hiking trails, graded from easy woodland strolls to challenging mountain climbs, ensuring both the casual adventurer and the seasoned hiker can find a suitable path.

This hike has a primary hike of 5.1 miles and an optional second hike of an additional 3.3 miles.

Our primary hike begins at the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitors Center on the Whiskey Still Trail, passing past the location of the largest commercial distillery in Frederick County during prohibition. This trail was connected early this year to the Charcoal Exhibit Trail, which tells of the people and their skills and trades in making charcoal, which supplied the charcoal for the Catoctin Iron Furnace. The route merges into the Hog Rock Loop Trail, a section with broad vistas and higher elevation. Continuing onward, we traverse the Thurmont Loop Trail, a connector that leads us to some of the park’s most iconic geological features—Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock. The return journey follows the Gateway Trail, winding back through the woods to the Visitors Center.

For those continuing with the optional second hike, the route begins at the Park Headquarter by crossing the road into Cunningham State Park and ascend yellow blazed Cat Rock Trail to a rock scramble up Cat Rock for the view. Returning we climb and then descend on Old Misery Trail. We return on the shoulder of Catoctin Hollow Road to the Visitor Center.

Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy with the group at Wolf Rock and Cat Rock.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:15 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:30

Directions to Trailhead:
Catoctin Park Visitor Center, 14707 Park Central Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

The GPS Coordinates are 39.63369, -77.44926

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders are Christa; 410-610-6254 and Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.

Details
Rating: Moderate side of difficult
Distance: 5.1 or 8.4 miles (your choice)
Elevation Gain: Approximately 935 ft (5.1 miles), or 1,700 ft (8.4 miles)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead
Fees: No entrance fees

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Block House, Including Muddy Branch, a 7.3 mile Moderate Hike

This hike travels through parts a wonderful area just outside of Potomac MD – Blockhouse including the Muddy Branch section of the park. The Blockhouse Point Conservation Park is one of the Best Natural Areas within the Montgomery County Park system. Natural features include mature upland forest, floodplain forest, palustrine wetlands, streams, river-rock outcrops, at least nine species of threatened, endangered, or watchlist plants, a diversity of wildlife and grand views of the Potomac River and C&O Canal. The park covers an area that was once used as a wartime transportation system for supplies, but never saw action. The Muddy Branch section of the park traverses varied terrain and ecosystems including rocky upland forest, streambanks and meadows, and passes by rich vernal pools.

The hike starts at the Pennyfield Lock of the C&O Canal and cuts across rolling hills in Blockhouse that offer splendid views of the C&O Canal. Along the way, we hike down a short but steep and rocky hill to the canal before continuing through Blockhouse up to River Road. From there we find our way to Muddy Branch along with its wetland trails that pass by stream banks and vernal pools. We will stop along the way for lunch on the edge of the stream, and continue the hike before turning around and following the stream back to the starting point.

Please be aware that the hike has one short but steep and rocky section, and has three easy to moderate easy stream crossings. Poles are useful, but not necessary. A few sections may be muddy, so please wear appropriate footwear.

This hike is a lollipop hike. That is, it includes a loop and an out and back section.

Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 39.240879,-76.749977

The Street address to the park is 12420 Pennyfield Lock Road Tobytown, MD 20854. Pennyfield Lock Road is about 5.5 northwest of Potomac Village on River Road. Turn left onto Pennyfield Lock Road and take it to the very end. We will meet by the Porta-Johns.

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.

Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 7.3 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 670 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead
Fees: No entrance fees

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.