Holiday Hike in PSP: Swinging Bridge, Dam, and Waterfall! From 2 up to 9 Miles!
- December 31, 2012 · 10:30 AM
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Holiday Hike in Patapsco State Park!
Swinging Bridge, Cascade Falls, and Bloedes Dam with Choices Ranging from a Newbie/Very Easy 2 Miles
Up to 9.5 Moderate Miles!
This is a Hike for Everyone Because You Can Mix and Match Distances and Paces to Customize a Hike Just for You! Because of the Holiday, We Increased the Amount of Guests Allowed So You Can Bring Family and Friends!!
See waterfalls, rivers, streams, upland forest, historic structures, and entire herds of deer in our groups customized hike. This is a fantastic social hike with a distance, pace, and difficulty for everyone since we divide up into smaller groups and all offer many distance and pace options!
If you pause during your trek through the forest, you are likely to see rabbits, gray squirrels, beavers, white-tailed deer and red fox. Listen for the beautiful songs of warblers or the whistle of a red-tailed hawk soaring overhead. Along the banks of the river, bird watchers will spot Canada geese, green herons, kingfishers, mallards and wood ducks year-round. Although rarely seen, screech owls, barred owls, great-horned owls, kestrels and wild turkeys also inhabit the forest.
Orange Grove is one of the most scenic areas of Patapsco, once the home of the village of Orange Grove, a mill town that supported the flour mill on the Baltimore County side of the river. A swinging bridge similar to the one that spanned the river in the 1800’s and early 1900’s crosses the river today connecting guests to the popular Grist Mill Trail which we will be on for about a mile of our hike for the first let. A short walk on a path after the swinging bridge for the second leg follows along the river to the site of Bloedes Dam. Bloedes Dam was an engineering feet of the 20th century. It is the first hydroelectric dam in the U.S. where the turbines were located inside the hollow core of the dam. Today, this dam no longer generates electricity and its interior turbines have been removed.
Click here to see pictures from a recent trek on this trail!
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!
Laurel Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the DC/Laurel metro area, meet at Savage Station. Click here for directions to Savage Station.
Annapolis Area Carpool
To carpool or caravan from the Annapolis area, meetup at the Harbour Center Mall Starbucks. Click here for Annapolis carpool directions for getting to the carpool location.
VA East Area Carpool (Fairfax Area METRO)
People can also arrange to meet at the Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station. Click here for directions to Vienna/Fairfax Metro Station.
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!
Pace Options
We break down into groups no larger than 15 hikers per leader/sweep team for a more enjoyable experience for all of us and is better for the environment. Large groups really take away from the hiking experience for everyone on the trail and not just our group. For this particular hike you have 3 to choose from so you can hike with others of a similar pace. Paces should be based on your preference but also please know your limitations.
Pace Option 1: A "walk in the woods" or "social" pace which is great for those who want to soak up the nature and will be about 2.5mph and great for people who take tons of pics.
Pace Option 2: A moderate pace of about 3.0mph and the average hiking pace used as a baseline in most hiking books. (most common pace).
Distance Options and Descriptions
Distance Option 1: The hike begins with a trek on a 'parts paved and parts natural' surface trails (2.5mi very easy and newbie friendly) and explores the swinging bridge and some interesting ruins.
Distance Option 2:The second leg is on a paved path (additional 1.25 very easy and flat miles) and takes us to the world's first internally housed hydroelectric dam, Bloedes Dam, and back for a total hiking distance of 3.75 if you end your hike after completing this leg.
Distance Option 3: The third leg (0.5 moderate miles) is out and back on a packed dirt, hilly, and rocky path leading up to Cascade Falls and is not to miss! Completing this leg will bring your total hiking mileage for this hike to 4.25 miles.
Distance Option 4:Ready to explore beyond the falls? Join us for our fourth and final leg (5.3 very moderate mile ending very near where our cars are parked) for a hike of several combined trails with several 
minor stream crossings (Very shallow and have stepping stones).
This brings our total hike distance to 9.55 miles if you complete all four legs of this hike!
Trail Information
Length: Varies as described above but 2.5-9.55 with three bailouts.
Trail Type: Modified Loop
Skill Level: Varies from Very Easy, paved and flat to Moderate only due to length and some rolling hills on rocky terrain.
Duration: Options ranging from 1 to about 5.5 hours depending on your options
Trailhead Elev: Options ranging from 20 feet to 300 feet depending on your options
Directions to Where We Meet for This Hike
Click here for directions to where we meet for this hike.
Hike Meetup Time is at 10:30 a.m.
Carpool meetup time at Savage Station and Ride is 10:00 a.m.
Time for carpooling from Vienna METRO is 9:30 a.m.
Carpoool Time for Annapolis Area is 9:45 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.
Please note that our holiday weekend hikes are not refundable due to too many people backing out of the at the last minute before the refund cut-off and keeping others from being able to go. Sorry, but this is the only way to help make sure that there is a good turnout and our leaders not offer to lead a hike on their holiday in vain...or they might be burned enough that they will no longer offer to lead them. Since we have made holiday hikes non-refundable it has boosted attendance rate significantly and often have perfect attendance, yay! Please note that our refund policy is always listed just beneath the price, and you are required to check a box that you agree to it before you can pay, so I put it in three places to avoid any issues. Thanks so much for your understanding and have a great time.
Leashed Fido is Welcome on This Hike!
Let's have good times and see you on the trail!
Kellie: [masked]
Mike: [masked]
Justin: [masked]
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Kellie Carlisle
@Mark and Lenah, ah shucks-blush. You are so very much welcome. I am retired and am more than happy to put in the time it takes to organize the group for such a bunch of happy hikers. It is a privilege to hike with you every weekend and I look forward to it every week. Thank you so much for the positive feedback. You made my week!
January 2
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Kellie Carlisle
Thanks everyone for coming out this morning. Great turnout and a fun group to hike with. I really enjoyed the hike with you!
3 · December 31
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Kellie Carlisle
I really enjoyed meeting you too Eddie. Hope I will see you on another hike soon. Looking forwarding to hiking with you more-grin!
1 · January 2
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Eddie
The meetup was great for me. I really enjoyed Justins' pace! I was able to get some great photos but lost them when my phone went crazy on me. However, I was determined to get more photos. I don't feel they were as good as the first set but I like them and will upload them. Again, an awesome hike!
1 · January 1
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Kellie Carlisle
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.December 31
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Udayan Khurana
I'll be driving from College Park. If anyone needs a ride, you are welcome.
December 30
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Udayan Khurana
Hi John. Sure! However, since you are in Laurel, the best option for you is to join the guys at the Annapolis Junction carpool location. http://www.midatlanti...
December 30
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Lenah
Id be interested in carpooling from Vienna and can drive. Where exactly do we meet?
December 27
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Mariel
Sera I need a ride from Vienna metro and plan to do the 5.5 miles would u like to carpool?
December 28
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Mariel
Ok great sounds good! my number is [masked] if you need it for anything! What kind of car do you have?
December 28
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47 attended
Your organizer's refund policy for Holiday Hike in PSP: Swinging Bridge, Dam, and Waterfall! From 2 up to 9 Miles!
Refunds are not offered for this Meetup.
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