Little Bennett Regional Park! A 12 Mile Transition from Mod. to Strenuous Hikes!
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This location is shown only to members
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Price: $2.00/per person
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The Very Biodeverse Little Bennett Regional Park!
Transition From Moderate to Strenuous Hiking
A 12 Mile Trek with Post Hike Meal
This hike is only 20 miles from D.C. and about a 50 minute drive from Baltimore so is most convenient for more than half of our members!
Just a little northwest of Washington, Little Bennett Regional Park is a superlativehiking venue. It’s Montgomery County’s largest park, covering almost 3,650 acres (a small piece also juts into Frederick County). A park since 1975, it has the county’s largest expanse of continuous woodland, splendid scenery, much wildlife, a trail network, and few human users. This hike is a challenging 12-mile grand tour, with about 4,000 feet of elevation change. The mostly dirt trails are unblazed but we know the way by heart. Those west of Little Bennett Creek are quite well signposted and in good shape. Most of these trails are off-limits to bikers and horse riders. Those in the more rugged eastern area are twice as hilly (says my altimeter) and not as well signposted but no worries as we have it on our GPS's and know the way well. The trails in this section..well they’re muddy, thanks to equine hooves in parts after a rain although most sections do not allow horses, but a few areas do. But don’t be deterred. Mud washes off, and my irreverent eye sees a purpose in liquidity: fewer whizzing bikers making this a very secluded hike which is hard to find this close to civilization! Yes, good can come of brook water and mud.
Transition Hike!This is an awesome transition hike for those interested in moving from moderate to strenuous hiking without having to drive hours out to the mountains to see if your are ready for it! It is not too long, but at 12 miles it certainly is not short. It also has plenty of rolling hills to help develop your hiking legs and about 4000 feet of elevation change!
Trail Information
Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Frederick
Trail Traffic: Usually very light; light at its heaviest!
Trail surface: Mostly dirt, plus some gravel, grass, pine needles; rocky, rooty, muddy in places
Scenery: Wooded hills, meadow vistas, stream valleys.
Exposer: Shady, Less so in winter
Length of Hike: 12 total milesElevation Change: About 4000 ft
Elevation Gain: Minimal and only about 450 feet.
Trail Type: Modified Loop
Skill Level: Quite Hard
Duration: 7 - 8.5 hours
Facilities: None at trailhead; phone at Hawks Reach Activity Center, roadside toilets, water, phone near campground's loop C; toilets on Purdum Trail. Simply put, we pass bathrooms once close to the halfway point of this hike.
Weather Information
We hike rain or shine. Click here to see an up to the minute forecast for where we will be hiking!Carpool Information
There are 2 carpools for this hike!
Baltimore Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore metro area, you can arrange to meet at Savage Station. Click Here for directions to Savage Station. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.Annapolis Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Annapolis area, you can arrange to meet at the Harbour Center Mall Starbucks. Click here for directions to the Annapolis carpool. Use the comment section to discuss carpooling with other members.If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, 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 meet for this hike.
Hike Meetup Time is at 10:00 a.m.
Savage carpool meetup time is 8:30 a.m.
Annapolis carpool time is 7:45 a.m.
Park Fee
None, yay! This is always a good thing!Please remember we are a social hiking group that values fellowship and camaraderie . 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 Leave No Trace outdoor ethics.
Fido is Welcome on this Hike if Your Dog Can Go the Distance!Let's Have Good Times!
Mike: [masked]
Justin: [masked]
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Eliana Fishman
Will anyone be driving from DC, or be willing to pick me up at the Metro stop of your choosing? Text me at [masked], or email me at eliana DOT fishman AT gmail.com
2 days ago
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Kesew
I will be driving from DC. I live near L'Enfant plaza metro station, I am planning on taking GW parkway and I-495N to get to the hike. So I can give a ride to 3 people if you can come to L'Enfant plaza metro station.
10h ago
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Kathy Vinokurova
I'd love a ride, if you still can. I can meet you at the L'Enfant plaza metro station. What time? My phone number is [masked].
6h ago
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Betsy Levin
Would love a ride from NW DC if anyone is driving from there or from somewhere metro accessible (preferably red line). Please let me know. Thanks.
Yesterday
28 attending
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Justin Carlisle
Certified Hike Leader and Wilderness Medical First Responder, Co-Organizer
Event Host
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Sanjida
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Sarah Braun +2
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Edna R. +1
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Ed T +1
Pre-Approved for Very Strenuous Hikes!
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Your organizer's refund policy for Little Bennett Regional Park! A 12 Mile Transition from Mod. to Strenuous Hikes!
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 change your RSVP do a "no" PRIOR to 48 hours of hike time then you will be refunded. You do not need to request a refund to get one, just update your RSVP.
Payments you make go to the organizer, not to Meetup. You must make refund requests to the organizer.
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People in thisMeetup are also in:
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The Washington DC/MD/VA Mountain Bike Meetup Group
1,350 Mountain Bikers
Next Meetup:
Wednesday, May 22 -
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