Sugarloaf Mountain Hike! Easy Side of Strenuous 6 Miles!
- January 20 · 10:00 AM
-
This location is shown only to members
Sugarloaf Mountain: Summit Trails! An Easy Side of Strenuous 6 Miles
Sugarloaf Mountain looms above rolling farmlands about 30 crow-miles northwest of Washington. Privately owned, it’s managed as both a nature preserve and public recreation area. Although it attracts many visitors, they’re mostly sightseers and picnickers who prefer the roadside overlooks and the summit. For hikers, the 3,300-acre property offers good trails, a lungs-and-muscles workout, and a beguiling natural setting. At its best, it’s wildflower pretty in spring, green-bower scenic in summer, and turning leaf colorful in autumn. The tough climb up the summit trails are well worth it due to the spectacular views! We will be hiking the red and green summit trails, which are VERY STEEP and adding the blue trail for mileage. Please make sure that you are up to doing a "easy side of strenuous" level hike.
Hike Pace
This hike will be led at a moderate pace which is about 2.5 mph and that of an average hiker. There will be two moderate paced groups for this hike. If you are uncomfortable with this pace, please select a different hike as there is NOT a newbie/social pace for this hike as it is an easy side of strenuous hike and for those who are already conditioned.
Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking 
Nearby City: Dickerson
Length: 6 total miles
Duration: About 3 hours but varies according to group pace.
Scenery: Upland woodlands, sweeping vistas
Exposure: Mostly shade but less in winter
Trail Surface: Roughly half hard packed dirt, half rocky and rooty
Elevation Change: 668 ft
Trail Type: Loop
Skill Level: Moderate to Easy side of Strenuous. Pace will be 2.0 to 2.5 mph. This is a moderate pace according to most hiking books.
Season: Year-round
Local Contacts: Stronghold, Inc
Guide Book for Leaders: This hike was created from a pre-hike of the summit trails. We will be hiking the green and red summit trails (total 3/4 very steep miles) and adding the blue trail to get the mileage.
Facilities: Water at trailhead, with toilet nearby; toilet at East View parking lot; summer snack bar near West View lot (weekends, holidays)
Special Winter Gear Note: (If Weather Dictates)
We WILL work with you to help ensure that if you want to hike with us in the snow and ice, or snow shoe, you can, and do so safely! Traction gear is a must in order to hike in the winter with our group for safety and so we can hike all four seasons! The most dependable/reliable gear in our opinion is either Kahtoola Microspikes or STABILicers Originals (Stabilicer "Originals" and not the "lites" as too many "lites" have snapped while out on the trail) and YakTrax are highly discouraged. Traction gear/ice cleats come in handy for getting the mail or walking the dog, in addition to any other outdoor activity where there is ice involved! You can run on the ice with them on and many runners do just that!
Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine! Click here for up to the minute weather information for the trailhead. Icy roads will cancel.
Carpool Information
Savage Station Carpool
Click here for directionsto Savage Station which is a Baltimore/Laurel area carpool.
If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location in the comment section below. Click here for suggested carpool locations complete with directions. 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 this hike.
Carpool Time from Savage is 8:30 a.m.
Hike Time is 10:00 a.m.
Gear Suggestions
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 please 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 on the trail!
Harrison: [masked]
Tim: [masked]
Delmar: [masked]
-
-
-
A former member
Great hike, thanks! Looking forward to more hikes with the group.
January 22
-
Kellie Carlisle
How to Move from the Waitlist to a “Yes” - If you are on the wait list, you will get an e-mail as slots become available. It is a “first come first serve” system for available slots. Slots are open to everyone, whether on the wait list or not. However, being on the wait list will make certain that you are notified when open slots become available as well as letting me know to look for another leader if the trails (and parking) can accommodate it and still comply with our Leave No Trace pledge. Click the following link for how to get off the wait list and RSVP “yes”, http://www.midatlantichiking.co...
Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you need further assistance as that is what I am here for.January 17
-
-
Kellie Carlisle
Batia, oh my another sick member. Thanks for staying home and not spreading it around. Also, thanks for taking the time to login and let us know when you are feeling poorly. Hope you feel better by the time you read this and see you back on the trails soon!
January 21
-
-
Delmar
Thanks for leading Tim, good job. Great hike and a beautiful day! Thank you all for hiking with us and hope to see you soon on the trail.
January 21
-
-
-
-
-
Kellie Carlisle
Timothy, hope you are feeling better. Thanks for letting us know and hope to see you back out on the trails soon. Can't believe how many people are sick right now. Please take care of yourself.
January 21
-
-
-
-
Wayne Martin
What a perfect day and location for hiking. Thanks everyone for the great hike.
1 · January 20
-
A former member
Just a fyi (I live right near Sugarloaf)...There's a Bennigan's that just opened up near here if anyone's thinking of doing an after hike meal...
3 · January 19
-
-
Guillermo Valdivia
Thank you for the suggestion. We went to Bennigans for some good beer and food afterwards.
1 · January 20
-
-
-
-
-
-
Jisel
Hello! My sister is hoping to join me on this hike but since she doesn't hike too often she doesn't have any ice cleats...does anyone happen to have any extra cleats she would be able to use? It would be much appreciated! Thank you.
Also, we will be driving in from the Centreville area if anyone needs a ride.
January 16
-
-
Wayne Martin
:-( I got some really cook Kahtoola MICROspikes for Christmas and I'm just dying to wear them. Oh well, maybe on my next hike.
January 16
-
-
22 attended
Your organizer's refund policy for Sugarloaf Mountain Hike! Easy Side of Strenuous 6 Miles!
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 to 48 hours of hike time.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
Paddle Trip! New Point Comfort!
Beaches, Salt Marsh, Abundant Wildlife, and an Historic Stone Lighthouse
-
$10 off $10 off of $100
from Barkingstud.com
-
10% off Terrapin Challenge
from Terrapin Adventures
-
$50 off Basic or One Day Try It Adult Sailing programs
from Chesapeake Sailing School
People in thisMeetup are also in:
Join or login to comment.