Fall Colors! Easy Side of Stren. 5 Mi Wolf Rock/Chimney Rock: Catoctin Mountain!
- October 6, 2012 · 11:00 AM
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This location is shown only to members
Leaf Peep! Easy Side of Strenuous 4.8 Mile Hike: Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock Loop Vistas in Catoctin Mountain Park with Optional Post Hike Meal!
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains of west central Maryland is a wonderful place known as Catoctin Mountain Park. Managed by the National Park Service, this area of pristine hardwood forests, wild mountain streams, abundant mountain laurel and rocky vistas lies just 50 miles north of Washington, D.C. The park is arguably best known for its neighbors, Camp David – the presidential retreat – and Cunningham Falls State Park, home to a 78-foot cascading waterfall. While Camp David is obviously off limits, this hike loops through highlights of the best that Catoctin has to offer in a shorter hike than most in this area making it an enjoyable trek for many more hikers than the longer and more strenuous hikes in this area.
This is a somewhat rugged hike to two outstanding vistas and a fascinating rock formation known as Wolf Rock that is simply a must.
Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Thurmont
Length: 4.8 total miles
Elevation Gain: 500 feet and almost all of it is in the first hill at the start of the hike.
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Easy Side of Strenuous due to the one hill at the start of the hike where almost all of the 500 feet of elevation gain is made. Other than that one hill, the rest is a moderate hike.
Season: Year Round but very clear views in winter
Local Contacts: Catoctin Mountain Park
Local Maps: USGS Blue Ridge Summit; Cunningham Falls State Park Map
Special considerations: With two outstanding vistas, add plenty of time to your itinerary for enjoying the views.
Our RSVP Policies and Group Etiquette
Click here to review our policies.
Weather Information
We hike rain or shine. Click here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking.
Carpool Information
Suggested Carpool Locations below. It is the members responsibilty to work with each other to arrange carpools. You should exchange contact information, via email, with each other to confirm the details.
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station.
Annapolis Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Annapolis area, meetup at the Harbour Center Mall Starbucks. Click here for Annapolis carpool directions for getting to the carpool location.
VA East Area Carpool (Fairfax Area METRO)
People can also arrange to meet at the Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station. Zip Cars are available at this location as well so consider being a zipster to not only save money but help save the environment! Click here for directions to Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station.
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 where to meet for this hike!
Hike is at 11:00 a.m.
Carpool meetup time from Savage is 9:15 a.m.
Time for carpooling from Annapolis is 9:00 a.m.
Time for carpooling from Vienna METRO is 9:15 a.m.
Optional Post Hike Lunch Information and Menu
We will have an optional hike lunch at Cozy Restaurant as they welcome hikers and have great post hike food at a great price as well as the infamous Camp David Museum!
Gear Information
Click here for suggestions for what to wear and what not to wear for our hikes.
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!
Justin: [masked]
Bill: [masked]
Lei:
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Kellie Carlisle
So glad you enjoyed it. Are the leaves changing out there yet? I know fall colors are coming earlier than expected this year. If they are changing I will be sure to post more Catoctin hikes so we can enjoy the fall foliage. We have 4-5 different hikes we do out there and at least 2 are about 5 miles with one or two being pretty long so something for everyone. Thanks for the feedback Mary and yep, Bill, Lei, and Justin are all fun and most capable leaders.
October 7
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Miguel
Looks like there are a few people needing rides in the Silver Spring/Bethesda area. Happy to offer a ride but I can only fit one (unless you're very small)
October 5
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mary
Hey Miguel, any chance you're in Downtown Silver Spring and haven't left yet? I'm in Shepherd Park, DC about one mile from ss and can meet in Downtown SS if it's convenient?? This is such a last ditch effort!!! :)
October 6
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mary
Oh shoot! I didn't see this before I fell asleep and now it looks like I won't have time to get there. Wow - I'm really bummed but I appreciate the offer of a ride, Megan. Now that I've found this group, I will definitely see everyone on hikes often and will sign up and coordinate early! :) Enjoy the hike today!
October 6
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Megan
Suman- looks like you have a ride (by multiple people?). If you do not please let me know. I can pick you up at grovensor, but would have to push my meet time with Creme Brulee by 15 minutes and would have to know soon. Thanks!
October 5
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mary
Hi Megan, do you have any spots left in your car? I'm pretty much at downtown silver spring but can meet somewhere by metro if needed? Thanks!
October 6
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Laura Pilkington
Adam, if you are in Annandale, you should stop by Vienna metro to car pool.
October 5
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suman
Megan! So far I don't get any confirmation. It's will be if you can pick me up from Grosvenor! I will join you! Thanks again!
October 5
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Anne M
I'm leaving from Olney MD for this hike, can get to Rockville or Gaithersburg to carpool if anyone's interested. Can drive or be a passenger. Let me know by 11pm tonight.
October 5
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Adam
I'm coming from Annandale, VA if anyone is interested in carpooling along the way. I have a car that fits 5.
October 5
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Regina
Right off 70 west at West Friendship area? Not super familiar with that area but if it's really obvious, I'll find it. I will meet you there. When are you planning to be there?
October 4
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Jean
Yeah that is it. If you are driving from the on 32 it will be on your left just past route 70. Let's say 9:45 to play it safe. Here is my #[masked] if anything changes. See ya there.
October 5
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Lee
May I ask this hiking starts on Saturday and when is it go to be done? Also, how long is the ride from Vienna Metro to this place? I've reserved a spot but very new to this and have no clue about anything. Where can I see the zipcars and how can I recognize the zipcars at Vienna metro station? About how much do I need to pay from Vienna to the hiking place being a zipster?
October 4
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Kellie Carlisle
Son Le, pretty please call me and I am more than happy to address all of these questions. I just prefer to take it offline and I can address them better via phone verses in written form. Plus I can make sure everything is covered well enough and not have to send a bunch of e-mails back and forth:) Hope you understand and I am always here to help any way I can. I can be reached at [masked] and look forward to hearing from you. Good questions by the way!
October 4
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Laura Pilkington
I'll be at Vienna metro carpool. Why is this hike strenuous, btw? Is the 500 ft all in one 30 degree hill?
October 4
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Kellie Carlisle
Actually the first hill in the beginning IS continuous elevation gain to where the vistas are. Then it is pretty much minimal change after that. Otherwise this would be a moderate hike. However, note the hill is at the start and not the end and with 3 leaders, we have a group for those who will want to take more rest stops for recovery and a group who doesn't need to rest at all. So, I would not let it discourage you unless you are uncomfortable with the one hill as it is a tough one if you are not used to hiking.
October 4
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Kellie Carlisle
Funny that you mention this. I just started going through todays 368 member e-mails. BUT, I put out a call for additional hikers for this hike yesterday. Parking is plentiful enough, and the trail condusive to more since we divide up into smaller group and not hike as a "mob". This hike can handle up to 3 or 4 leaders so look to get an e-mail that spots have opened anytime:)
1 · October 2
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Kellie Carlisle
YAY, we now have 3 leaders and we hike in groups of 15 each so this is enough for 45 hikers plus we pad it 5 for the investable no shows. If you are on the wait list and would like to go on the hike, you will get an e-mail as slots are available. It is a “first come first serve” for available slots. Open slots are open to everyone whether on the wait list or not, but the wait list will insure you are notified of open slots as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the hike can handle it. Click here for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlanti...
Hope this helps and enjoy the hike. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.1 · October 4
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Kellie Carlisle
If you are on the wait list and would like to go on the hike, you will get an e-mail as slots are available. It is a “first come first serve” for available slots. Open slots are open to everyone whether on the wait list or not, but the wait list will insure you are notified of open slots as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the hike can handle it. Click here for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlantichiking.co...
Hope this helps and enjoy the hike. Don’t hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.October 4
43 attended
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Justin Carlisle
Certified Hike Leader and Wilderness Medical First Responder, Co-Organizer
Event Host
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Miguel
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Angela +2
Checked-in -
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Nick Parikh +2
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Prakash +1
Checked-in -
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Sean +1
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Barb +1
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Creme Brulee
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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A former member
Your organizer's refund policy for Fall Colors! Easy Side of Stren. 5 Mi Wolf Rock/Chimney Rock: Catoctin Mountain!
Refunds offered if:
- the Meetup is cancelled
- the Meetup is rescheduled
- you can cancel at least 2 day(s) before the Meetup
Additional notes: Refund ONLY if you update your RSVP PRIOR to 48 hours of hike start time. No need to request refunds as I process ALL refunds at the same time, 48 hours before the hike start time to anyone who updated their RSVP from a "yes" to a 'no" before that time.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
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