Savage Mill

Let’s visit historic Savage Mill and hike along the Little Patuxent River!

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Savage Mill is a historic cotton mill complex that has been repurposed into a complex of shops and restaurants. Buildings in the complex date from as old as 1822, and it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The adjacent Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge is the sole surviving example of a revolutionary design in the history of American bridge engineering. The 160-foot double-span truss bridge is one of the oldest standing iron railroad bridges in the United States. Two trails extend north and south from the mill, providing pleasant woodland hiking along the Little Patuxent River.

The route: Starting from in front of the Savage Mill complex, we’ll hike south across the Bollman Truss Bridge and upstream along the Savage Mill Trail and return, about 1.6 miles round trip. After a short break, we’ll hike west and north along Washington and Fair Streets to the Patuxent Branch Trail, which we’ll follow upstream to the I-95 bridge and return, 3.8 miles round trip.

The hiking route features two out-and-back legs for a total of 5.4 miles of smiles and should take about 2 hours at a moderate pace. The surface is paved and pebble/dirt paths and is fairly flat, with some inclines here and there.

Google map: http://tinyurl.com/kv6uokj

How to get there: The approximate street address for the parking lot is 9052 Washington St, Savage MD 20763, about 12 miles off the I-495 Capital Beltway. From the I-495 Capital Beltway (either direction) –

• Take the I-95 N exit toward Baltimore, keep right at the fork, and follow I-95 North towards Baltimore for about 8 miles.

• Take exit 35A to merge onto MD-216 E toward Laurel for 0.2 miles.

• Take the (first) exit right onto Stephens Rd, and follow Stephens Rd for about a mile, going through a traffic circle at Whiskey Bottom Rd.

• Turn right onto Gorman Rd and follow it for 1.1 miles.

• Turn left onto Foundry Rd and follow it north. As you cross the bridge over the Little Patuxent River you will see the Bollman Truss Bridge and Savage Mill buildings on your left.

• Take the first (very sharp) left after the bridge onto Washington St. (You will pass a right turn for Washington St along the way – don’t take it!)

• The main entrance to the mill is on your left. If the lot is full, continue along Washington St to the end for additional parking west of the mill.

What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). Keep an eye on the forecast in case an umbrella is needed.

Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 80 degrees. Updates here: http://tinyurl.com/lflb9yw

Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is permitted in this group.

Administrative stuff: There are public restrooms at Savage Mill and at Savage Mill Park, although I’m not sure if the latter will be open. The Savage Mill complex opens at 10 am.

Notes:

• Savage Mill, 8600 Foundry St, Savage, MD, 410- 792-2820: http://tinyurl.com/lmgxzyw

• Savage Mill at Wikipedia: http://tinyurl.com/82lhtch

• Savage Mill Trail at Wikipedia: http://tinyurl.com/lbxbwr8

• Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge: http://tinyurl.com/ppu2qbn