Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group

Patapsco State Park:McKeldin Area/Liberty Dam on Unmaintained Trails! Mod 7 Mi

December 8, 2012 · 10:00 AM
This location is shown only to members

Patapsco Valley State Park: McKeldin Area to Liberty Dam on Unmaintained Trails: A Moderate-Easy Side of Strenuous 7 Miles!

Hike to Liberty Dam on unmaintained trails, which takes you to the developed, popular McKeldin Area of Patapsco Valley State Park. Starting at the trailhead, you will walk on a rocky, packed dirt trail that parallels the North Branch of the Patapsco River. After about 300 feet, much of the rock spreads across the trail and into the water. You will see massive ferns and mountain laurel on both sides of the trail and this is a remarkable hike with tons of wildlife with more than half of this hike on unmaintained trails so few people venture out that way (the other side of Marriotsville Road). Portions of this hike are on the same trails as our other McKeldin area hikes, but it is the portion on the other side of Marriotsville out to the dam that makes this hike most unique.

Hike Pace
A moderate pace of about 2.0-2.5mph and the average hiking pace used as a baseline in most hiking books. (most common pace).

Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking

Scenery: Patapsco River, Liberty Dam, McKeldin Rapids

Exposure: Shaded

Trail Surface: Dirt and some asphalt with some easy stream crossings and half of the hike on unmaintained trails.

Configuration: Combination
Nearby City: Columbia/Ellicott City
Length: 7 total miles
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Moderate to Easy Side of Strenuous
Season: Year-round
Local Contacts: Patapsco Valley State Park McKeldin Area
Facilities: Restrooms and water at maintained area, picnic facilities, and disc golf course but none where the hike starts and ends.

Weather Information
We hike rain or shine! Click here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking.

Directions to the Trailhead

Click here for directions to this hike.
Hike Time is 10:00 a.m.

Park Fee

None, because we do not start this hike within the park!

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 leaving no trace

Leashed Fido is welcome on this hike!

PLEASE take a leaders phone number with you in case you have any difficulty locating our group...

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

Mike: [masked]

Justin: [masked]

Join or login to comment.

Leo

Great people as usual ;-)

1 · December 8
Bruce

Could also hook up with anyone coming through town instead of circling the beltway from NoVa.

0 · December 7
Bruce

I will be driving up from NW DC. Happy to carpool (ride or drive) from DC or anywhere sorta along the way (Bethesda, Silver Spring, 95 corridor) - meet at my place, your place, or a subway stop or pretty much anywhere that can work. My direct email is [masked].

0 · December 7
Lindsay Orlin

Mike: approx what time do you think the hike will end?

0 · December 4
bob mcdowell

Hi, got notification that there is an opening but how do you sign up? Didn't see any place to click on. thanks, bob

0 · November 30
- 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.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.
  
  0 · November 30
Karin

If a spot opens up for (me) regarding the Patapsco Valley Park hike, I would not mind joining in with someone from the VA area in a carpool?

0 · November 26
- Julie
  
  I'm in VA so let me know beforehand if you get in. You can ride with me.
  
  0 · November 27
- Karin
  
  Thanks I'll let you know if I get in...hopefully soon enough to connect and ride together.
  
  0 · November 27

23 attended

Mike H.

Certified Hike Leader and Wilderness Medical First Responder, Co-Organizer

Event Host
Justin Carlisle

Certified Hike Leader and Wilderness Medical First Responder, Co-Organizer

Event Host
Dave Bushnell
Pam
Ross Garner +1

.
Karen
Checked-in
Julie +1
Rich Oleson
Colette
Jessica Morgan
Ying-Tzu
Bruce
Buck
bob mcdowell
Brad
april perry
irina rickard

Certified Hike Leader
Leo
Regina +2

Your organizer's refund policy for Patapsco State Park:McKeldin Area/Liberty Dam on Unmaintained Trails! Mod 7 Mi

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 if your RSVP is changed to a "no" prior 48 hours of hike time.

Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.

Close this

Washington, DC

Founded Jul 21, 2007

About us…

We're about:

· · · · · · · · · · · · · ·

Organizers:

, , , , and 29 more…

Contact

We are a laid back group of diverse people who enjoy hiking with others while exploring trails in Maryland, DC, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. A sense of humor is a must and we are very much a social hiking group. Our group focuses on camaraderie, safety while having good times out on the trail, and leading an active lifestyle. We enjoy Mother Nature's diversity as well as our own, so get your rear in gear and come on out and join us for a hike!

Why We Hike - To have good times, make friends, and maybe even meet that special someone along the trail while enjoying the benefits of the great outdoors. Whether you want to lose weight, have never hiked a mile in your life, or have a goal to rise up to the challenge of ultra hiking 30 miles in one day, we have a hike for you. Remember, we were all newbies once and we enjoy introducing others to hiking. It is a great way to relieve stress while getting great exercise and enjoying the variety of what Mother Nature has to offer.

When We Hike - In the mornings, afternoons, evenings, darkest of nights, every weekend, all year round. We average 10 hikes a week. Seasonal, after work hikes are offered in many areas throughout our region as well.

Where We Hike - Anywhere within the Mid-Atlantic region. We also have special trips to places farther away. Hikes range from very easy sneaker hikes on paved paths along gentle streams and clear lakes, to very strenuous, steep climbs and rock scrambles to mountain summits. We visit Shenandoah National Park, George Washington National Forest, and the Appalachian Trail almost every weekend. We strive to offer at least one easy, moderate, and strenuous hike within 60 miles of Baltimore, DC, and Northern Virginia each weekend. Additionally, we have cookouts, white water floats, hike out/paddle backs, cave trips, natural water slides hikes, Appalachian Trail section hikes, camping trips, volunteer offerings, and last but certainly not least, our very popular Monuments in the Moonlight hikes that have been featured in the Washington Post.

How We Hike - With safety and camaraderie! We will NOT leave anyone behind and we strive for a 1:15 volunteer hike leader to member ratio. Hiking in large groups is not fun for you or anyone else on the trail, including our own volunteer leadership team. Hikes with a large number of people signed up typically have more than one leader to maintain our goal ratio. This also allows us to offer various pace options so you can hike at the right pace for you. We have pledged to practice Leave No Trace outdoor ethics and we do. We also offer many volunteer and trail maintenance opportunities in addition to community building events, so come on out and make a difference in our parks!

Who Should Join - Simply put, you! Whether you are young, old, working, retired, laid off, shy, talkative, energetic, geeky, lazy (but hopefully you don't want to be or we just might have a problem with this one-grin), recovering from an injury, social, or a competitive speed hiker, this is a group for you. We love our diversity and thrive on it!

WARNING - Our calendar is very active ALL FOUR SEASONS and may become addictive and beneficial to your health!

To keep up with our very active schedule, you can follow our activities via Twitter and socialize with your fellow hikers on Facebook.

I hope to see you on the trail soon and let's have good times!

Kellie and the Entire Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group Volunteer Leadership Team

$5 off new 1-yr reg. membership, includes free Backpacker subscription

from American Hiking Society
$10 off $10 off of $100

from Barkingstud.com
$18 off Wilderness First Aid Classes

from The Center for Wilderness Safety

See all 6 perks Offer a perk →

People in this
Meetup are also in:

Northern Virginia Hiking Club (NVHC)

1,226 Hikers

Next Meetup:
Saturday, May 25
"The Young Adventurers

1,802 Young Adventurers

Next Meetup:
Friday, May 31
DC African American Adventure & Sports Group-Washington, DC

3,711 Adventurerists

Next Meetup:
Sunday, May 26
DC Metropolitan Hikers

5,106 Hikers

Next Meetup:
Saturday, Jun 08
ZenAdventures: Hiking, Yoga,Tai Chi, Meditation & Adventures

1,282 ZenAdventurers

Next Meetup:
Saturday, May 25
United Social Sports - DC Area

5,630 Players

Next Meetup:
Wednesday, May 29

Patapsco State Park:McKeldin Area/Liberty Dam on Unmaintained Trails! Mod 7 Mi

23 attended

Certified Hike Leader and Wilderness Medical First Responder, Co-Organizer

Event Host

Certified Hike Leader and Wilderness Medical First Responder, Co-Organizer

Event Host

Ross Garner +1

.

Julie +1

Certified Hike Leader

Regina +2

Your organizer's refund policy for Patapsco State Park:McKeldin Area/Liberty Dam on Unmaintained Trails! Mod 7 Mi

People in this Meetup are also in:

Log in

Sign up

People in this
Meetup are also in: