AT Hike Across Maryland Part 2 of 4! Pine Knob to Wolfsville: A Moderate 8 Miles

Appalachian Trail Section Hike Across Maryland (H.A.M.) (Part 2 of 4) Pine Knob (I-70) to Wolfsville — Featuring Annapolis Rock, Black Rock Cliffs, and a Rare View of 4 States from One Vista! A Moderate 8.3 Mile Hike

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Two excellent, west-facing vistas of Annapolis Rock and Black Rock are the highlights of this hike through northern Maryland. This Appalachian Trail (AT) section, mostly along the flat-topped South Mountain ridge is the first section of Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s four-part series that travel the entire length of the AT across the state of Maryland — aptly named the Hike Across Maryland (H.A.M.).

On today's hike, at one point we will have Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia all visible from one vista!

The trail seems to pass quickly from the 20th century back to the 19th as it heads away from the parking area and takes an old woods trail past a farmhouse and overgrown fields. As the path slowly climbs, the traffic sounds fade away and are replaced by birdsong.

A gently undulating ridge walk through a chestnut oak forest, two views, Annapolis Rock and Black Rock are simply not to miss. Both of these spectacular crags include rock slabs, overhanging cliffs, small caves, tumbled boulders, and views that look west across aa side farm valley toward Hagerstown. Four states — Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Virginia — plus the oddly named hamlets of Mousetown, Smoketown, Baytown, and Jugtown are all visible from the heights. The jagged, exposed quartzite ledges at Annapolis Rock and Black Rock create much of the erosion-hesitant bedrock of South Mt.

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Mid-Atlantic Hiking Groups Appalachian Trail (AT) Section Hike Across Maryland (H.A.M.) A Four Part Hike Series!

H.A.M. Part 1 of 4: Wolfsville Rd. to Pen Mar Park: A Mod 9.5 Miles

H.A.M. Part 2 of 4: Todays Hike - Pine Knob (I-70) to Wolfsville Rd. — Featuring Annapolis Rock, Black Rock, and Rare View of 4 States from One Vista! A Moderate 8.3 Mile Hike

H.A.M. Part 3 of 4: Crampton Gap, Fox Gap, Turners Gap, and Old Washington Monument (I-70 - Crampton Gap): A Mod. 12.2 Miles

H.A.M. Part 4 of 4: Crampton Gap to Harpers Ferry (Crampton Gap to Harpers Ferry): A Mod. 10.2 Miles

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Trail Information

Nearby City: Hagerstown
Length: 8.3 miles
Trail Type: Point-to-Point (using shuttle cars)
Skill Level: Moderate
Natural History Features: Annapolis Rock, Black Rock Cliffs, and a Rare View of 4 States from One Vista
Trailhead Elev: 900 feet
Top Elev: 1100 feet
Facilities: There are two AT shelters on today's hike, and they both have privies.

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Park Entry Fee
There is no park entrance fee.

Gear Suggestions
Click Here (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/gear-information.html) for suggestions regarding what to wear and what not to wear for hiking the trails.

Weather Information
We hike rain, snow, or shine. Click Here (http://www.wunderground.com/q/zmw:21740.1.99999) to view the forecast for the area where we will be hiking.

Hike Pace
The goal for this hike is to maintain an average moving pace of ~ 2.5 mph. This speed is frequently used in popular hiking publications to represent the pace of an average hiker. We welcome you to please sign up for another hike if you know that this is not a comfortable pace for you. We strive to offer a variety of hikes and pace options so we can always have something for everyone no matter their interest and ability.

Our RSVP and Group Etiquette
Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/RSVP_Rules_and_Etiquette/) to review our RSVP policies and group etiquette.

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Carpool Suggestions and Information

Note that you are responsible for knowing how to get from carpool locations to the venue. Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is not responsible for transportation to and from events or carpools. Suggested carpool times and places are provided as a courtesy because many members are either new to the area or unfamiliar with a particular hike or venues location. Please use the 'Comments' section below, or reach out via e-mail to make arrangements for carpooling needs and offerings.

Baltimore Area Carpool Suggestion - Savage Station
To carpool or caravan from the Baltimore area, people can arrange to meet at Savage Station. Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/Carpool_Directions_for_Savage_Station/) for directions and additional information regarding carpooling from the suggested Savage Station location.

DC Area Carpool Suggestion - Centreville
To carpool or caravan from the metro DC area, people can arrange to meet at the Centreville Park and Ride. Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Hiking/pages/Directions_to_Centerville_Park_and_Ride_Carpool/) for directions and additional information regarding carpooling from the suggested Centreville Park and Ride location.

Baltimore Area Carpool Suggestion - Security Blvd. I-70 Park and Ride
To carpool or caravan from the metro Baltimore area, people can arrange to meet at the I-70 Park and Ride. Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/Directions%3A_I-70_at_Security_Blvd_Park_and_Ride/) for directions and additional information regarding carpooling from the suggested Security Boulevard I-70 Park and Ride location.

If you can drive or want to carpool from additional locations, please post your location and needs in the comment section below. Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/Suggested_Carpool_Locations/?name=Suggested_Carpool_Locations) for a list of suggested carpool locations complete with directions and other details including other carpool information. For those who need a ride, reach out to the drivers. Make friends, and support the environment — by just offering a ride!

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Optional Post Hike Meal and/or Libations
We will have an optional post hike meal to be decided by group consensus, preferably decided prior to the hike so we can head straight there instead of spending time trying to decide when we are all tired and hungry-grin

Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/at---i-70-overpass.html) to Where We Meet for this Hike

Due to limited parking space, it is highly recommended that you carpool for this hike.

Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 9:45-9:55 a.m.

The Hike is at 10:00 a.m.

Carpool Time from Savage Station — 8:30 a.m.

Carpool Time from Security Park and Ride — 8:45 a.m.

Carpool Time from Centreville Park and Ride — 8:30 a.m.

Please remember we are a volunteer supported organization that values fellowship and camaraderie while practicing good hike etiquette (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/hike-and-trail-etiquette.html)and Leave No Trace (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/leave-no-trace.html) principles. Our hikes are led by generous, dedicated, and qualified MAHG members who volunteer (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/9595722/How_To_Join_Our_Leadership_Team!/) as leaders for Mid-Atlantic Hiking Groups volunteer leadership team. Hikes also have a volunteer “sweeper” to help ensure that no hiker is left behind. MAHG volunteers and members are very supportive, encouraging, with a focus on safety while enjoying the excellent camaraderie and benefiting from the many health benefits of hiking and unplugging from the stress of day-to-day life. Sharing what we know and learning from each other is an important part of MAHGs core values, as is our dedication to the conservation of our natural resources and our commitment to the organization's mission (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/). Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a volunteer supported tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html) and donations ARE tax deductible (https://midatlantichikinggroup.networkforgood.com/projects/17107-fall-into-hiking-for-health). Tax ID: 47-5141831 (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html).

If Fido is a Well-Seasoned and Conditioned Trail Dog with Rocky/Rooty Terrain Toughened Paws, Please Contact the Leader PRIOR to the Hike to Decide Together if this is an Appropriate Hike for Your Dog at This Time!

Let’s have good times out on the trails and enjoy the hike!

Chuck: 717.830.7618

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• Click Here to Chip In Now (https://midatlantichikinggroup.networkforgood.com/projects/18298-for-the-health-of-it)and Help Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group in Serving our Mission (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/index.html).

• Donations (https://midatlantichikinggroup.networkforgood.com/projects/18298-for-the-health-of-it) to Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group are Tax Deductible: Tax ID 47-5141831 (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/mahg-charity.html). Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group is a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charitable organization.

• Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/about/) to Learn more about Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group’s Mission.

• 100% of Every Dollar Goes Directly to the Expenses of Serving our Mission.