Hike Avalon and Orange Grove Areas - Patapsco State Park 7 Miles

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Hike Avalon and Orange Grove Areas of Patapsco State Park

It appears that we have another weekend where it would be preferable to hike rather than paddle. Sunday appears to be the better day as it will be a little warmer a little drier and a little more sunny.

This is a great winter hike and will include the Swinging Bridge and Cascade Falls (pictured to the left). It can actually be more fun and interesting with snow on the ground and some of the smaller streams frozen over.

There is a superabundance of trails to choose from that could have us hiking all day long if we wanted to but I am going to wait until I know if there will be snow on the ground before I pick the final route.

This hike goes regardless of the weather conditions. Even with a couple feet of snow on the ground this is a great hike. Can you tell I'm hoping for some snow?

I'm aiming for a 7 to 8 mile hike with a stop for lunch/snack somewhere around the midpoint somewhere near the Swinging Bridge or Cascade Falls.

Enter the park from the entrance on South Street just off of Route 1 in Halethorpe. Follow the entrance road just over a mile to the T intersection and turn LEFT, We will meet in the first parking lot after you make the Left turn.

The hike is a short distance from historic downtown Ellicott City and for those of you who don't get enough exercise during the hike, afterwards we could possibly walk the streets downtown, peruse the shops and stop for coffee or drinks according to preference. We can decide this the day of the hike.