Wild and Secluded Gorman Stream Valley!
- November 17, 2012 · 10:00 AM
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Wild and Secluded Gorman Stream Valley (South Area) in Howard County! An Easy Side of Moderate Hike
The Middle Patuxent River, mature mixed hardwoods, some interesting ruins, and even a small swamp are the highlights of todays hike! The palisades, too, offer a unique sight in Howard County. This is truly a hidden gem in Howard county and my favorite hike in the area. The concentration of thrushes during spring migration, especially among the hemlocks, makes this an attractive place to visit, but year 'round this is a fantasitc hiking venue. Habitats found along both sides of the river are highly varied, ranging from bottomlands and upland deciduous forest to a hemlock grove on a north-facing steep, rocky cliff overlooking the river, but today we will be hiking on the South side of the river and the next time we visit we will hike on the North.
You will soon forget you are anywhere near civilazation. Along the western third of the area, the trees are typical of river bottomlands, capable of surviving occasional flooding. In the central section, the main type of forest is upland deciduous, but there is also a hemlock grove on the cool, rocky slopes that rise abruptly from the river. Farther east, a drier deciduous forest is dominated by beech and oak. East of the power line cut which is close to our turn around point, the mature forest is again dominated by tulip poplars.
This area is mostly wooded, entirely undeveloped, hence a true hidden gem, and contains no active recreational facilities so be sure to bring you own water. Please wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes for this easy trek, yet, a hike with some areas of rugged trails. Anyone can do this hike, as it is almost all flat with one or two small and very short hills and.
Don't forget your camera for this hidden gem of a hike! 
Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Columbia, Ellicott City
Scenery: Stream, mature mixed hardwoods, and even a small swamp! The palisades, too, offer a unique sight in Howard County. This hike also features a small swamp as well as hemlock groves and mountain laurel along palisades.
Exposure: Shaded
Trail Surface: Packed dirt with a very wild feel
Length: 5 miles
Trail Type: Out and back
Skill Level: Easy to Easy Side of Moderate Due to the trails.
Season: Year-round
Trailhead Elev: 50 feet
Top Elev: 90 feet
Pace Options
This hike will be led at a moderate pace of about 2.5mph and the pace of most hikers.
Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine! Click here for up to the minute weather information for the trailhead
Carpool Information
To carpool, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station.
If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations such as the DC area, 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 the Trailhead and where we meet.
Hike Meetup time is at 10:00 a.m.
Pease 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 to help make sure no hiker is left behind. If you get upset because someone has to rest at the top of a hill etc. then find please another group! We are very supportive, encouraging, and focus on safety while getting and/or staying fit on the trail and practicing leaving no trace .
Fido is Welcome on This Hike!
Please take my number with you just in case...
Lei: [masked]
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Kellie Carlisle
Lei most certainly is a fantastic leader and we are most grateful to have him as a highly credentialed and capable member of our volunteer leadership team. Thanks for the props for him and the group, Regina. It is so nice to hear supportive feedback as it is our goal to see to it that you have a great hike! Typically people only speak up if they are unhappy so this really is great to read:)
1 · November 20
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Lei
Yay, I'm glad to hear that, Regina! Do come out again! Kellie does an awesome job at planning both social and harder hikes :)
November 22
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John Sullivan
I'm really looking forward to this, my first hiking meetup. I'm always looking for new trails and this one is only a 4 miles from my home and I never knew it existed.
I'm currently planning on going on the second hike at Patapsco - but I thought I would point out - there are several great post hike options for a meal and a beverage.
Within 2 miles there are several places - Loonies (Bar Food and TV's $) and Kloby's (Barbeque and TV's $$) are both great hangouts.
2 · November 16
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Kellie Carlisle
John, I am just seeing this but plan on using one of your suggestions next time after this hike. I can put it in the listing so people can plan accordingly. Thanks so much for locations as not knowing of any in that area is one of the reasons we have not been having post hike meals out there. Problem solved thanks to you!
1 · November 20
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A former member
Good hike, particularly when the sun came out. I definitely needed the exercise.
November 17
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Kathy
It was an interesting moderate hike with hills, flat areas and a river, so there was a lot of varied scenery. I would suggest that people wear hiking boots and not tennis shoes on this hike because there were a few stream crossings and some muddy areas.
November 17
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Greer Meisels
I don't have access to a car this weekend and live in Silver Spring. If anyone is driving from the Silver Spring area or from DC (which I could metro to) I would love to be able to carpool. Let me know! Thanks in advance,
Greer
November 14
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John Sullivan
Greer, Are you close to Burtonsville? If you are in "outer" silver spring on the 29 corridor I will come pick you up. If you can get to Burtonsville Park and Ride, via Metro Bus, I can also pick you up there.
November 16
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Greer Meisels
John, Thanks so much for the offer... unfortunately I'm not in "outer" Silver Spring and the bus that would get me from where I am to the Burtonsville Park and Ride doesn't run on the weekends (only M-F). Hopefully we will have the chance to meet during future hikes.
November 16
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meghan bittner
I live in New Market. If anyone wants to carpool from the Frederick area, let me know.
November 14
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Meg
Unfortunately I had to cancel. Have a child with a skin condition that has so far defied treatment. Found a doctor with skill in this area who will come in on Saturday to see her, so I've got to take advantage of it. Look forward to hiking with you in the near future though!
November 15
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Kathy Loftin
Really considering it ... might be just too early for me to get there on a Saturday, though.
November 5
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Kellie Carlisle
We did change the time. The same leader is leading this and also the PSP park hike since they are close together. So, he just needed to have plenty of time to allow for anything that could possibly cause the hike to take longer (like it or not, we have to plan for the worse, such as a sprained ankle, although very rarely occurs), and then to get to PSP for the Hilton hike at 1pm. So, it is all now set and hope you can make it. That was very early for a late fall hike that isn’t so long that tit must start that early in order to get off the trail by dark-grin. Hope you can now go and have a good time!
November 7
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15 attended
Your organizer's refund policy for Wild and Secluded Gorman Stream Valley!
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 your RSVP is changed to a no PRIOR to 48 hours before the hike.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
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