Battlefield Weekend Part 2 of 3!

Antietam National Battlefield!

A Newbie Friendly, Easy, and Flat History Hike!

This hike is about 70 miles from both Baltimore and DC

Courtney is once again offering this customized special Battlefield Weekend Series over the memorial holiday. So please join her for three powerful history hikes for a most special holiday weekend! Thank you Courtney!

Join us for a pleasant trek at Antietam National Battlefield, our 9 mile hike will take us along open fields, woods, and quiet Antietam Creek. Wild turkey, beaver, barred owls, and other wildlife inhabit the stream valley. Cows can often be seen grazing on the other side of the creek. The lovely bucolic countryside belies the carnage that took place along the creek on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam (also known as the Battle of Sharpsburg) took place in three phases over 12 square miles. Down by the creek, Union general Burnside tried to move his army over the bridge and into Sharpsburg. The streamside trail preserves the landscape that saw the death of thousands. Now it is alive with towering oaks and maples, blackberries on the edges, and the scent of pawpaws by the bank.The terrain is gently rolling and the path is very easy to follow. There are numerous trail markers and signs that give a sense of how the battle unfolded."

3,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia’s first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation. The Battle of Antietam was part of what is known as the Maryland Campaign of 1862. Find out more about the people, places and events that are part of the campaign that changed America and join us on this informative hike!" Parts Taken From the Antietam National Battelfield Web Site

Heat Advisory

Please note that it can be very hot and humid during this hike because there is not a lot of shade on most battlefield parks. While there are periods of shade, most battlefields are open fields with very little shade. So, please bring the following:

• At least 2 liters of water (or 4 bottles of water)
• Sunscreen (please make sure it is both UVA and UVB sunscreen of at least SPF30 for how long we will be out and the climate) Click here to help simplify the confusing task of choosing sunscreen.
• A hat or something to shade your head
• A piece of fruit or Gatorade to replenish electrolytes lost due to sweating
• Bug repellent with DEET for chiggers and ticks.

Hike Pace

Courtney will be leading this hike at a moderate pace of 2.5 mph

Trail Information

Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Antietam, MD
Length: Easy 9 miles offered for all 4 Pace options!
Duration: Depends on the Pace you want but will range from 3- 4 hours
Schedule: Open dawn until dusk, 365 days a year.
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Trail Type: This is an out and back hike
Skill Level: Easy and Newbie Friendly, but with gently rolling terrain and only a few steep climbs
Trail Surface: Dirt footpaths, gravel paths, mowed grass paths, old farm rods, and paved roads.
Season: Year-round
Land Status: National Battlefield Park
Facilities: The visitor center features restrooms, interpretive displays, a soda machine, and a bookstore. There are picnic table in a grove of trees adjacent to the parking area.

Trail Notes for Leaders

Weather Information
We hike rain or shine.

Our RSVP Policies and Group Etiquette

Click here to review our policies.

Carpool Information

There are 4 Carpool Locations for This Hike!

Savage Station

To carpool from the Baltimore area, you can arrange to meet people at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station.  Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.

Annapolis Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Annapolis area , you can arrange to meet at the Harbour Center Mall Starbucks. Click here for Annapolis carpool directions for getting to the carpool location.  Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.

D.C. Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, you can arrange to meet at the Centerville Park and Ride. Click here for informationand directions to the Centerville location.  Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.

Franklintown (Security Blvd. I-70 Park and Ride)
There is an additional carpool location for this hike. Click here for directions to where we meet for this carpool.

If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location in the comment section below. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment - by just offering a ride!

Directions to the Trailhead

Click here for directions to where we meet for this meetup.

Hike Meetup Time is at 9:00 a.m.

Carpool meetup time from Savage is 7:30 a.m.

Carpool Time from Centerville is 7:30 a.m.

Meetup for Carpool from Annapolis is 7:00 a.m.

I-70 Park and Ride (Security Blvd) Meetup Time is 7:00 a.m.

Park Fee

There is a park entrance fee of $4.00 per person which is paid upon entry to the park is good for three days admission.

Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie and practice good hike etiquette. We take breaks as necessary and have at least one guide in the front in addition to a "sweeper" in the back which means that no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then find another group! We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting or staying fit on the trail and practicing Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.

Fido is welcome on this hike!

Let's have good times and see you there!

Courtney: [masked]

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