Caledonia State Park:11 Miles on AT to Big Pine Flat Ridge and Fire Tower!
- November 17, 2012 · 9:00 AM
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Caledonia State Park and Big Pine Flat Ridge and Optional Fire Tower Climb to See Magnificant Views (Parts on the AT)!
An 11 Moderate/Strenuous Miles in Caledonia State Park
This is a fantastic "transition" hike for those wanting to make the move from moderate to strenuous hiking and is great for anyone who can hike on the more strenuous side of moderate and up from there. Only two lone hills are what sways me to post this as between moderate and strenuous, otherwise a moderate hike. This is one of my favorite 3 hikes of the hundreds I have trekked! Also, in additioin to the AT portion of the hike, there is a real cool fire tower to climb and enjoy fantastic views if you care, or rather dare to join us up there. Big Flat fire tower in the Michaux State Forest, invites you to climb 72 steps up to a tiny room 85 feet high in the air (Optional).
"Caledonia was the name given to ancient Scotland by invading Romans, but hikers don't need to be Bravehearts to enjoy the first leg of the AT's ridge top route between Caledonia and Pine Grove Furnace state parks. The hike up to and along Big Pine Flat Ridge is through as pretty a section of Penn's woods as you'll find. It starts in Caledonia SP, named not for Scotland but for Caledonia County, Vermont, hometown of Thaddeus Steven's, an attorney who moved to the area in the 1820s and made his mark as an abolitionist, statesman, and father of the Pennsylvania public school system. Steven's financed the iron industry in the area and got to name the settlement. That's also why his name appears on the reconstructed iron furnace and blacksmith's shop in the park, even through he never shod a horse." © Copyright Glen Scherer and Don Hopey Published by Stackpole Books. All Rights Reserved.
Trail Information
Nearby City: Chambersburg, PA
Length: 11.2 total miles
Trail Type: Point-to-Point
Natural History Features: Caledonia State Park; Chinquapin Hill; Big Pine Flat Ridge; Onococheague Creek; Michaux State Forest.
Social history features: Thaddeus Steven's Iron Furnace and Blacksmith's Shop.
Other features: Caledonia State Park pool; a veiw from Big Flat Fire Tower which is pictured at the right (great view from up there if you join us)
Skill Level: Easy side of Strenuous only due to two hills--otherwise this is a moderate trek
Duration: About 6.25 hours
Trailhead Elev: 900 feet
Top Elev: 2000 feet
Weather Information
We hike rain or shine! Click here to see the minute forecast for where we will be hiking.
Gear Information
Here are some suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes.
Carpool Information
There are 2 carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.
DC Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, meetup at the Centerville Park and Ride. Click here for information and directions to the Centerville location. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling wih other members.
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 where we meet for this hike.
I strongly advise carpooling as there are only 20 parking spaces at the trailhead!
Hike is at 9:00 a.m.
Carpool meetup time from Savage Station is 6:45 a.m.
Carpool meetup time at Centerville Park and Ride is 6:30 a.m.
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 helps ensure 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 with PRIOR Hike Leader Approval
Let's have good times and see you on the trail!
Steve: [masked]
Don't forget to come visit us on Facebook
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earl k
Well led meetup. From start to finish. The shuttle worked great. So well, we finished the hike
before 3PM. The hike pace was excellent, not to fast or to slow, and our breaks were as needed but not overly long. Thanks SteveNovember 18
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Steve G.
I'm willing to carpool, but I'm coming from near BWI airport, so Savage Station is in the wrong direction. If anyone is interested in carpooling from, say, the I-70@Security Blvd park-and-ride (or somewhereabouts in that general vicinity), let me know.
November 12
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Jing Yan
Mark,
Do you still have room from Montgomery Village? Or anyone coming from Rockville/Bethesda/Gathersburg so we can carpool? Thanks
November 16
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Mark Bulla
Hello - My car seats 4 comfortably, 5 when I need to... If you don't have any other way to get there, I can give you a ride.
November 16
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Mark Bulla
Hello again - One of the other riders had to cancel, so you can fit comfortably in my car, if you still need a ride. I should be getting to the Montgomery Village Ave. park and ride around 7:15 am. Let me know if you will be meeting us so we can look out for you.
November 16
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Mark Bulla
Jessica and Cynthia - See you at the Mont. Village Park and ride on Saturday morning! It's a good excuse for me to clean out the back seat!
November 15
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Mark Bulla
I'm in Laurel, but I'm willing to go a bit out of the way if anyone needs a ride or a rider. I can easily get to the Savage Station, or to the Silver Spring/Rockville/Gaithersburg area (thank you ICC!).
November 13
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Mark Bulla
Yes - that seems to be the way it worked out. I'll see you at the Georgia Ave/ICC park and ride at 7am.
November 15
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Jessica
Hi, Mark. Do you have room for one more? I could meet you at the Montgomery Village Ave. Park and Ride as well.
Thanks.
November 15
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Cynthia Cypress
Hi Mark Bulla, I can make it to Montgomery Village Av. in Gaithersburg. I'll be there by 7am. Thank you!
November 15
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Cynthia Cypress
I would like to ride with someone, as my car is not in good working condition. I can drive to one of the meetups. I'm coming from Springfield, Va.
November 14
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Mark Bulla
If you can make it to the park and ride at Montgomery Village Ave. in Gaithersburg (off of I-270: https://plus.google.co...
), I'll be driving by there between 7:15 and 7:30 - be glad to give you a ride, too.November 14
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Priyanga
Hi there... does anyone want to carpool from the Bethesda/Silver Spring/Rockville area? I can drive or ride...
November 12
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Steve G.
A couple important notes for all:
* This is a point-to-point hike, meaning we have to send some cars down to the other end, and unfortunately they can't do that on their own (yet). So we can get started as soon as possible, please make your best effort to: keep your rsvp current, arrive on time, and call if you are running late.
* Its November, and hunting IS ALLOWED in Caledonia State Park and Michaux State Forest. In a group, we are unlikely to be mistaken for deer, but I plan to wear blaze orange (because I am paranoid), and would recommend you wear something brightly colored at least. Also remember fido looks more deer like than you do, so keep that in mind if considering bringing him or her along.
November 12
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Your organizer's refund policy for Caledonia State Park:11 Miles on AT to Big Pine Flat Ridge and Fire Tower!
Refunds offered if:
- the Meetup is cancelled
- the Meetup is rescheduled
- you can cancel at least 2 day(s) before the Meetup
Additional notes: If you change your RSVP to a "NO" prior to 48 hours of hike start time with no questions asked.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
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