Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group

Catoctin Mountain Park: The Adventurous Horse Trail! A Moderate 7.2 Mile Hike

7
  • January 27 · 9:00 AM

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Catoctin Mountain: The Wild and Adventurous and Little Known Horse Trail with Optional Post Hike Lunch!

"The Horse Trail is in a wonderfully secluded section of trails at Catoctin Mountain Park not to be misunderstood with trails that are built for horses. This is a hike on a trail named "Horse Trail", but we humans hike it. But, like most trails, it is probably open to horses as well, but unlikely to see any horses this time of year so come check out this hidden gem of Catoctin Mountain Park that was discovered in our group thanks to Sandy when leading her series of completing every trail in the park...thanks Sandy!

The west side of the park is the wilder side. Adventurous hikers are more likely to see wildlife, wetlands, and an up-close view of nature. Remnants of former farms dot the land. The park's picnic areas, campgrounds, and back-country shelters connect with the trails.

The Catoctin Trail and the Horse Trail dominate the west side where we are hiking today. There are two sections to this trail, the Horse Trail North Loops which is 3.7 miles, and the Horse Trail South Loop which is 3.2 miles. The remaining mileage is the trails we take to reach the Horse Trail bringing the total mileage right at about 7.2 miles.

Trail Information

Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Thurmont
Length: 7.2 Total miles
Trail Type: Loop
Hike Time: About 3 hours at a 2.5mph pace
Skill Level: Moderate:
Local Contacts: Catoctin Mountain Park

Trail Notes for Leaders

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

Carpool Information
 There are 3 carpools for this hike!
DC Area Carpool (Centerville Park and Ride)
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, meetup at the Centerville Park and Ride. Click here for information and directions to the Centerville location.

Laurel Area (Savage Station)

Click here for directions to Savage Station. To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, meet at Savage Station.

32 Park and Ride
There is an additional carpool location for this hike that is convenient to a vast majority of our members. Click here for directions to the 32 park and ride location.

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 where we meetup for this hike.

Hike is at 9:00 a.m.

Carpool time from Savage Park and Ride 7:45 a.m.

Carpool time from Centerville Park and Ride is 7:30 a.m.

Carpool meetup time from 32 Park and Ride is 8:00 a.m.

Optional Post Hike Lunch Information and Menu

We will have an optional hike lunch at Cozy Restaurantas they welcome hikers and have a fabulous buffet for a great price. I will ask for a show of hands of who wants to join us there for a bite mid-way through the hike and contact them with how many will be attending the lunch so you can decide on the trail.

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 you need to find another group and there are a lot of great ones out there! 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!

Steve: [masked]

Sandy: [masked]

Bill: [masked]

Join or login to comment.

  • Steve
    Steve

    Great hike! Thanks to the hike leaders!

    2 · January 29

  • Miguel
    Miguel

    Great hike... lots of fun

    2 · January 27

  • Miguel
    Miguel

    I agree completely with all of the effusive praise above.

    2 · January 27

  • Guillermo Valdivia
    Guillermo Valdivia

    Good times!

    2 · January 27

  • Rachael
    Rachael

    Thanks everyone and especially Steve and Sandy for a great Sunday Funday! Can't wait to see you all on the trail again, have a great week!

    3 · January 27

  • Tammy
    Tammy

    Leaders were good at improvising after original hike could not be done due to a road closing.

    2 · January 27

  • Steve G.
    Steve G.

    Hey everybody, I'm truly sorry about the parking kerfuffle.

    I know it wasn't the horse trail hike you were expecting, but I sure hope you all had a good time regardless.

    Thanks for spending a part of your Sunday hiking with us!

    2 · January 27

  • Melissa Hladek
    Melissa Hladek

    Thanks for a great hike and post- hike fiesta! Steve and sandy were excellent hosts, everyone was gracious and friendly, and the weather couldn't have been better!

    2 · January 27

  • irina rickard
    irina rickard

    That why I love to hike with MAHG and her well experienced leaders, if something goes wrong, they do not panic or cancel event, they just deal with it!

    2 · January 27

  • Matt
    Matt

    An adventure for sure!

    2 · January 27

  • Brandy
    Brandy

    Beautiful hike with friendly folk and leaders.

    2 · January 27

  • James
    James

    This was my first time hiking with the group and it was a lot of fun! Also Sandy and Steve were fantastic leaders.

    2 · January 27

  • John Lukow
    John Lukow

    Thanks, everybody. I had a great hike, and post-hike meal was nice, too. Things started off a little crazy with the original hike access closed, but our fine guides made some impromptu adjustments and all was good.

    2 · January 27

  • Ann Strauss
    Ann Strauss

    Despite the fact that the hike route had to be changed, it was a great hike. Sandy and Steve were wonderful leaders. Sandy stayed at the Owens Creek Campground entrance to redirect everyone to the Visitor Center. It was a glorious winter day. Always nice to meet and talk with people. And always nice to get out there and hike!!

    3 · January 27

  • Steve G.
    Steve G.

    There's no room at all at the campground, go straight to the visitors center, Sorry about that.

    January 27

  • Lina
    Lina

    is anyone stopping at Grosvenor Metro?

    January 26

  • A former member
    A former member

    If anyone's driving from the DC area, I'd really appreciate a ride! I live in Georgetown, but I'm willing to meet anywhere that's metro/bus-accessible. Thanks!

    January 15

    • View all 5 replies
    • A former member
      A former member

      I actually was able to coordinate a ride with Brandy, but thanks for the offer!

      January 26

    • Damien
      Damien

      Hey Madeline, I just sent you a message about a possible ride. I know it's last minute but it would be really appreciated! I'll pitch in for gas and meet where ever is good for you in DC. If not no worries. Thanks!

      January 26

  • Bridgette
    Bridgette

    Madeline, can I join you and Alex. I am fine with driving as well. I have a hybrid car so we can conserve on gas

    1 · January 26

    • Madeline Close
      Madeline Close

      Awesome! glad you got on the hike :) Yes let's all carpool - it would be great to take your hybrid if you don't mind driving. What time do you think we should leave?

      January 26

    • Madeline Close
      Madeline Close

      my cell is [masked] so we can all coordinate ... looks like 1hr 30m from DC so maybe leave capitol hill at 7 to be safe?

      January 26

  • Rachael
    Rachael

    I have room for one leaving from DC if anyone needs a ride

    1 · January 26

  • Guillermo Valdivia
    Guillermo Valdivia

    A small group of us are meeting up at Springfield Mall. Let me know if interested in carpooling with us.

    January 22

  • Steve G.
    Steve G.

    If anyone is interested in carpooling from the MD-32@I-70 Park and Ride (Sykesville exit), let me know. I don't mind driving, and my car can fit 2 comfortably, or 4 with a shoehorn. :)

    January 21

  • Sharon C
    Sharon C

    most of the roads and parking lots in the park close for the season after the first measurable snowfall - the December 24/25 snow might have counted as such. Has anyone checked to see if the roads and parking areas are still open?

    1 · January 15

    • Steve G.
      Steve G.

      Yes, the roads (both of them) that go through the park are closed. I've never heard of the parking areas closing, and they are off of main roads, rather than the ones that go through the park.

      2 · January 15

    • Kellie Carlisle
      Kellie Carlisle

      Wow, thanks so much for verifying this Steve. You beat me to it and I really appreciate it:)

      1 · January 18

  • Steve G.
    Steve G.

    Please everybody, make sure you check out the link to the directions to the trailhead. We are _not_ meeting at the visitors center. We are meeting at the campground, like it says in the link. Yes, the campground is closed for the season for camping, but we're hiking, not camping, and the parking area is in fact open. The and the road going to the campground, it will be open as well.

    January 18

19 attended

Your organizer's refund policy for Catoctin Mountain Park: The Adventurous Horse Trail! A Moderate 7.2 Mile Hike

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 I am contacted or your RSVP changed to NO prior to 48 hours before hike time.

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

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