Join Us For An Easy-Moderate 2.3 or 4.7 (Your Choice) Mile Hike in Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

" Once you hike this trail, you'll understand why people were so passionate about protecting the Trotter Road area from development. This hike in the Middle Patuxent Environmental Area is for everyone--especially nature lovers. It has a wealth of habitats and is home to many species of birds, butterflies, frogs and mammals. It is an easy 2.3 or 4.7 miles and is unpaved so if you have them, please wear sturdy footwear due to rocks and roots. The trail is mostly shaded, and very scenic. You'll enjoy the views and sounds of the river and the chorus of bird songs." 

Pace Options
We break down into groups no larger than 15 hikers per leader/sweep team for a more enjoyable experience for all of us and is better for the environment. Large groups really take away from the hiking experience. This also allows us to offer a variety of hike paces and for this particular hike you have 2 to choose from which allows us to be put together with those of a similar pace. Paces should be not only based on your preference but also ability needs to be taken into consideration.

Pace Option 1: A "walk in the woods" or "social" pace which is great for those who want to soak up the nature and/or transitioning to longer hikes and will be about 2.0mph which is a fast walking pace.

Pace Option 2: A moderate pace of about 2.5-3.0 mph (most common pace).

Pace Option 3: Often referred to as "The Justin Pace", this is a very very fast hiking pace of about 4.0 mph and only for those who know they can hike that speed without many stops. This is a hike where the focus is on the workout.

Please put your pace preference in your RSVP so we can plan accordingly

Trail Information for 2.3 Option (The first loop of a modified figure eight)

Nearby City: Columbia, MD
Length: 2.3 total miles
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Easy with rolling hills and rooty/rocky terrain
Duration: 1 hour give or take depending on pace and photo stops
Season: Year-round
Trailhead Elev: 110 feet
Top Elev: 320 feet
Local Contacts: Middle Patuxent Environmental Area

Trail Information for 4.7 Option (The 2.3 Mile Option Above Plus an Additional more moderate than easy 2.4 Miles to complete a modified figure eight for a Total of 4.7 Miles)

Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Columbia, MD
Length: 4.7 total miles and includes the 2.3 above option in addition to another area that covers 2.4 additional miles.
Trail Type: Modified Loop
Skill Level: Easy side of moderate and just a tad bit more hilly than the fist 2.3 miles.
Duration: 1.5 hours give or take depending on pace and any stops for pics, etc.
Trailhead Elev: 110 feet
Top Elev: 410      

What Is A Designated Environmental Area?
Are you aware that Howard County has a number of sites designated as environmental areas? These are sites where no sports or organized athletic activities are allowed. They were set aside for the purpose of protecting and conserving the natural resources and are there for the enjoyment of those who take pleasure in passive recreational activities such as walking/hiking, bird watching, plant and animal identification, photography, etc. They all feature walking paths or trails and offer a broad variety of habitats and ecosystems for your viewing and hiking pleasure.

Weather Information
We go rain or shine! Click here for up to the minute weather information for the trailhead.

Directions To The Trailhea

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

Hike Meetup Time is 6:45 p.m.

Fido is Welcome on this hike!

Let's have good times and see you on the trail!

Mike: [masked]

Justin C: [masked]

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