Kent Island Hike (ODH Training #2)

A winter island hike to make you yearn for summer! It starts with an unpaved three-mile loop (the "candy" part of a contorted "lollypop") around the Terrapin Nature Park. (See park map posted below.) The route includes a tropical-like sandy beach, marshlands, and expansive views of the Chesapeake Bay, with duck blinds and a gazebo thrown in for good measure. There may also be wet or muddy patches.

That loop will be followed by an out-and-back, at-your-own-pace hike along Kent Island's Cross Island Trail (the "stick" of the "lollypop"; see trail map below). You can walk up to about 2.5 miles on this beautiful and relatively new, paved hiker/biker trail, or turn around sooner (or later) if you want to do less (or more) than a total of 8 miles (easy), all with 286 inches of elevation change.

Photo albums of previous versions of this hike: 2024, 2023, 2014, 2013.

Leaders: Mike Darzi & Fran LeBouleix.

Weather Note: In case of inclement weather, please check here for last-minute changes before leaving for the hike.

BRING
The route is very exposed and can be windy, so be sure to dress warmly if the weather requires it, and bring rain gear if there is any chance of precipitation. Don't forget water (at least a quart) and a bag lunch or heavy snacks. (You can also buy on the route.)

TRAILHEAD
We'll meet in the park's parking lot (191 Log Canoe Cir, Stevensville, MD) by 9:45 am. There are restrooms available.

DIRECTIONS
Cross the Bay Bridge going east. Take exit 37, the first one after the bridge, and turn left at end of exit ramp onto MD 8 north. Go 0.4 mi to the next main intersection and turn left onto Skipjack Pkwy. After 0.2 mi, the road dead ends at Log Canoe Cir; turn left and go 0.4 mi. There should be a sign for Terrapin Beach Park on your left; park in the lot as you enter, or along Log Canoe Cir.

LUNNER
For those interested, we'll have a mid-afternoon (2 PM) lunner (lunch/dinner) after the hike at Amalfi Coast Restaurant (401 Love Point Rd) in historic (and very tiny) Stevensville, MD. Parking is available in the back of the restaurant.

CARPOOLING
There is no group carpooling. If you are looking to carpool, feel free to post comments on Meetup. A good Metro station to meet at is New Carrolton (Blue Line). Allow at least 45 minutes from there to the trailhead.

ONE DAY HIKE
Although open to all, this hike is part of a series of Saturday training hikes leading up to the One Day Hike (ODH)—100 or 50 km along the C&O Canal—on May. 3, 2025. See SCPRO’s Meetup page for other training hikes as they are posted. If you would like to support the ODH, see volunteering opportunities and/or contact Mike Darzi ([email protected]). For official updates regarding training hikes, registration, and other information, join the ODH discussion group by sending a blank email to [email protected].

SCPRO DONATION:
A voluntary $2.00 donation per event is appreciated. You may donate via PayPal by sending money to [email protected] using “For friends and family” as payment type, or in cash at the event.

You may join the Sierra Club by clicking "JOIN" on the Virginia Chapter's website.