Fri. Sunset Two Rivers in One Hike! Choice of Easy-Side-of-Mod 4 or 2 Mi (03/17)

Savage Park -- Featuring Both the Middle Patuxent River and the Little Patuxent Rivers! Hikers Choice of Either A Moderate 4.2 Miles OR An Easy-Side-of-Moderate 2 Miles

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/c/0/600_439816320.jpeg

A very forested ramble along the Middle Patuxent River to its confluence with the Little Patuxent River, then upstream, with a return via an abandoned quarry road. Most of the hike follows the streams closely. Within minutes of setting off, you will be transported from one of the most densely populated suburbs in America to a lovely woodland along two former mill streams.

Our route takes you through beech, oak, and pine trees before confronting the rapids-filled Patuxent River. The Wincopin area trails start off as an asphalt path but very quickly turns to packed dirt. Consequently, the trail becomes narrower and tighter, but it’s well maintained and easy to follow. Very thick woods— beech, oak, and poplar—crowd either side.

http://photos4.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/c/a/600_439816330.jpeg

Trail Information

Activity Type: Hiking
Nearby City: Laurel
Length: 2.4 Miles or 4 Miles
Elev. Gain: The 2-mile option has one short, but rather steep hill, earning the hike an easy-side-of-moderate rating vs. the easy rating one might expect given its shorter distance. Other than the aforementioned single hill, the route is overall rather flat, easy trekking. The 4-mile option has undulating hills with one hill, in particular, being longer but rather steep, earning this hike a moderate rating.
Trail Type: Loop
Scenery: Middle Patuxent and Little Patuxent River; Savage Mill Historic sites
Exposure: Mostly shade
Trail Surface: Packed dirt and in some places rocky
Skill Level: Easy-Side-of-Moderate to Moderate depending on how far you opt to join us for the hike as MAHG offers two difference distance options. However, the hills are mostly further along the trail. See "Elev. Gain:" above for specific elevation data for both distance options.
Season: Year-round

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/d/a/600_439816346.jpeg

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.

Special Gear Note: Headlamps (MAHG has Loaners Available)Flashlights are Highly Discouraged for Saftey Reasons
We find that most people need a headlamp sometime between Civil and Nautical Twilight (times for this particular day are provided near the bottom of this page). Should you need a light source and have yet to purchase a headlamp, Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group will loan you one for this hike. We want to do all we can to make certain everyone is comfortable and has an enjoyable experience.

Weather Information
We hike rain or shine. Click Here (http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USMD0360?lswe=Savage,%20MD&lwsa=WeatherLocalUndeclared&from=searchbox_typeahead) 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.

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/e/7/600_439816359.jpeg

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.

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!

http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/3/f/e/d/600_439816365.jpeg

Directions to the Trailhead
Click Here for Directions (http://midatlantichikinggroup.org/savage-park---vollmerhausen.html) to Where We Meet for this Hike

Meet & Greet and Sign-In — 6:00 - 6:10 p.m.

The Hike is at 6:15 p.m.

🌅Sunset Information Click Here (https://www.meetup.com/Mid-Atlantic-Hiking-Group/pages/Twilight%3A_Civil%2C_Nautical%2C_and_Astronomical/)for an explanation of the three different evening twilights, if you are interested. Most people need a headlamp sometime between Civil and Nautical Twilight.

Sunset: 7:16 pm
Twilight (Civil): 7:42 pm
Twilight (Nautical): 8:14 pm
Twilight (Astronomical): 8:45 pm

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).

A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike!

Let’s have fun out on the trails and see you there

Mike: 240.393.7642

http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/1/5/6/a/600_456365482.jpeg

• 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.