Name: Gambrill State Park: High Knob Vista! A Moderate 8-Mile Hike
Start: 2024-11-23T15:00:00.000Z
End: 2024-11-23T19:00:00.000Z
Location: Gambrill State Park

**Beautiful American Chestnut Land Trust — South Tract Area Trails! A Moderate 6.5 Miles**

The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is a local land trust located in Calvert County, Maryland, an hour’s drive from both Washington, D.C. and Baltimore.

We will hike in the South, mainly in the Governors Run watershed. The South Tract area encompasses old family farms, cemeteries, and a burgeoning beaver community and has a character that is different than the North tract. There are the remains of an ancient huge American Chestnut tree (it succumbed to the chestnut blight that affects American Chestnut trees; there is still a smaller tree standing). We also pass by hybrids which have been planted a few years ago. The area is comprised of a rare mix of various hardwoods, bottomland swamp, and creeks, all making their way to the Chesapeake Bay.

The American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) is, as its name suggests, named for a tree. Unfortunately, the American Chestnut tree succumbed to the “Chestnut Blight”, a disease introduced in 1900. Within a span of only 40 years, the blight proceeded down the Appalachian Mountains, destroying a forest that had stood for thousands of years!

ACLT, in its own words is a member-supported nature conservancy working to protect the natural lands, waterways, cultural landmarks, & wildlife habitats of the Parkers Creek & Governors Run watershed & to encourage conservation & preservation throughout Southern Maryland.

**Trail Information**
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Port Republic, MD
Length: About 6.5 total miles
Elevation Gain: 550 ft.
Trail Type: Two loops
Skill Level: Moderate due to a few short steep hills.
Trail Surface: Old dirt farm roads converted into nice hiking trails
Local Contacts: American Chestnut Land Trust
Local Maps: USGS Prince Frederick

**Park Entry Fee**
There is no park entrance fee.

**Gear Suggestions**
**[Click Here](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/gear-information.html)** for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.

**Weather Information**
We hike rain or shine. **[Click Here](https://weather.com/weather/today/l/ab445937db11c740ab27187b6f0a2211ebe5403ce7e774e9f1f30ffdd385b033)** to view the forecast for the area where we will be hiking.

**Directions to the Trailhead**
**[Click Here](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/aclt---south-tract-area.html) for Directions to Where We Meet for this Hike**

**Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 8:45-8:55 a.m.**

**The Hike is at 9:00 a.m.**

Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values:

1. [Fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/hike-and-trail-etiquette.html).
2. [Leave No Trace principles](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/leave-no-trace.html).

Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group hikes are led by qualified, generous, dedicated people who have volunteered to be part of the group's leadership team and are certified hike leaders. **[Click Here](https://midatlantichikinggroup.org/volunteer.html)** to see how to join the team!

MAHG is very supportive and encouraging. We focus on safety while enjoying excellent camaraderie. Come out and enjoy the many health benefits provided by hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHG's core values, in addition to our commitment to the organization's mission.

*A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike!*

Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!

**Christa: 410.610.6254**
**Tim: 202.744.0289**

• [Donations](https://midatlantichikinggroup.org/donate.html) to Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group are Tax Deductible.
Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization.
• Click [here](https://midatlantichikinggroup.org/index.html) to Learn more about Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s Mission.

Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group

Tim M

Christa Conant

Nancy Donnelly

American Chestnut Land Trust - South Tract! A Moderate 6.5 Miles

ACLT South

**Middle Patuxent Environmental Area: An Easy-Side-of-Mod 5.75 Mile Hike**

The Middle Patuxent Environmental Area (MPEA) is dedicated as a “forever protected” natural environmental area. At 1,021 acres, it is the largest parkland in Howard County’s system of parks, open space and natural resource areas.

The MPEA is home to a diversity of wildlife, including about 150 species of birds, over 40 species of mammals, and numerous amphibians, reptiles, fishes, butterflies, plants and other wildlife. This parkland is comprised largely of mature, second-growth upland forest and floodplain forest. The Middle Patuxent River runs north to south through the property, with 17 tributary streams found within the boundary.

Our hike will take us through woodland, open pasture and trails bordering the Middle Patuxent River. It has only modest elevation gains (417 feet). It is considered an easy side of moderate hike.

**Trail Information:**
Activity: Hiking
Nearby City: Clarksville, Howard County, MD
Trail Surface: mostly dirt, some gravel, wooden boardwalks
Scenery: River overlooks, woodland, stream valleys, meadows
Length of hike: 5.75 miles
Elevation: 420 ft
Trail type: Modifies loop
Skill Level: easy side of moderate
Facilities: Bathroom at trailhead.

**Park Fee**
There is No Park Entry Fee

**Gear Information**
**[Click Here](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/gear-information.html)** for suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for hiking.

**Weather Information**
We hike rain or shine! **[Click Here](https://weather.com/weather/today/l/f5fd384d2533c2e4836ec1663c9a38e82c64b6a5a73861d8fd69089a510ae813)** for up-to-the-minute weather information for the area where we will be hiking.

**Directions to the Trailhead**
Middle Patuxent Environmental Area
Trotter Road, Clarksville, MD
GPS Coordinates will give you the most precise location: 39.212379, -76.917819
We meet at the parking lot.

**Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 9:45-9:55 a.m.**
**The Hike is at 10:00 a.m.**

Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values:

1. [Fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/hike-and-trail-etiquette.html).
2. [Leave No Trace principles](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/leave-no-trace.html).

Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group hikes are led by qualified, generous, dedicated certified hike leaders who have volunteered to be part of the group's leadership team. **[Click Here](https://midatlantichikinggroup.org/volunteer.html)** to see how to join the team!

MAHG is very supportive and encouraging. We focus on safety while enjoying excellent camaraderie. We also benefit from the many health benefits provided by hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHG's core values, in addition to our commitment to the organization's mission.

***Pets must be kept on a leash at all times and owners are asked to clean-up after pets***

Please take the hike leader's number with you. Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!

**Tim: 202-744-0289**

Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a [volunteer supported tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization](https://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html) and donations ARE tax deductible. Tax ID: 47-5141831

**[Click Here](https://midatlantichikinggroup.org/index.html)**[ ](https://midatlantichikinggroup.org/index.html)to learn more about the group's mission.

Dax Hoffman

Debby Filer

11/21 Thur Hike! Middle Patuxent Environmental Area: An Easy-Side-of-Mod 5.75 Mi

Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

Gambrill State Park: High Knob Vista! A Moderate 7.4-Mile Hike

This hike is at Gambrill State Park, located 45 miles northwest of Washington, D.C.

"Gambrill State Park is a beautiful mountain park located on the ridge of the Catoctin Mountains in Frederick County. Its most attractive feature is the 16 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The park is separated into two areas, the Rock Run area, and the High Knob area. From the 1600-foot High Knob, three stone overlooks offer breathtaking views of the Frederick and Middletown Valleys then continue to the northern reaches of the Shenandoah Mountains.”

This particular hike takes us along and beside the ridge of Catoctin Mountain through mature hardwood forest, offering views both east and west. Additionally, it offers plentiful, sweeping views north and west of South Mountain, home of the Appalachian Trail. On the circuit hike's return route on the east side of the ridge, are beautiful scenes of the Monocacy River watershed." Portions of the above description are credited to Copyright David Edwin Lillard Published by Falcon Publishing. All Rights Reserved.

On a clear day, looking north, a visitor can see the rugged tree-covered mountains of the Frederick City Municipal Forest, one of the State's best-managed watersheds. Looking south, one can see Crampton's Gap, a Civil War Landmark and the site of Gathland State Park, and the Middletown and Monocacy Valleys. South Mountain, where many engagements between Confederate and Union troops took place during the Civil War, can be seen to the West.

**Trail Information**
Nearby City: Frederick, MD
Length: 8 Miles
Elev. Gain: 1200 ft
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Moderate
Season: Year-round
Local Contacts: Gambrill State Park
Facilities: Portable Bathroom at trailhead

**Park Entry Fee**
There is no park entrance fee.

**Gear Suggestions**
[Click Here](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/gear-information.html) for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.

**Weather Information**
We hike rain or shine. [Click Here](https://weather.com/weather/today/l/9cd0cb0f95d3d1775095d3d9597f9552a5efc9dfeab701fab668d8c2653870f8) to view the forecast for the area where we will be hiking.

**Directions to the Trailhead**
Parking at High Knob Nature Center
8346 High Knob Rd
Frederick, MD 21702
just inside the gate
39.461927, -77.495353

Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 8:45-8:55 a.m.

The Hike is at 9:00 a.m.

Please remember we are a volunteer-supported organization that values fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good [hike etiquette](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/hike-and-trail-etiquette.html) and [Leave No Trace](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/leave-no-trace.html) principles.

Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and qualified MAHG members who [volunteer](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/volunteer.html) as leaders for Mid-Atlantic Hiking Groups volunteer leadership team. Hikes also have a volunteer “sweeper” to help ensure that no hiker is left behind. MAHG volunteers and members are very supportive, encouraging, with a focus on safety while enjoying the excellent camaraderie and benefiting from the many health benefits of hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHGs core values, as is our dedication to the conservation of our natural resources and our commitment to the organization's mission. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a volunteer-supported tax-exempt 501(c)(3) [nonprofit charitable organization](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html), and donations ARE tax deductible.

A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike!

Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there!

Greg: 571.484.7499

• [Click here](https://midatlantichikinggroup.org/donate.html) to donate to Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group.

• [Click Here](http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mission.html) to Learn more about the Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s Mission.

Gambrill State Park: High Knob Vista! A Moderate 8-Mile Hike

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