Jug Bay Wetlands: A 7.5 Moderate Mile Hike

Jug Bay Wetlands: A 7.5 Moderate Mile Hike

Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary, located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, is a remarkable natural area situated approximately 20 miles southeast of Washington, D.C., and 18 miles south of Annapolis. This sanctuary encompasses a unique blend of marshlands, tidal shrublands, swamp forests, and upland woods, making it a haven for wildlife and nature enthusiasts alike.

The heart of Jug Bay Wetland Sanctuary lies in its expansive marshes along the Patuxent River. These marshes come alive during the summer and fall, attracting a stunning variety of wildlife. The rich wetland habitats provide essential food and shelter for waterfowl and serve as a critical stopover for migratory birds. Birdwatchers can delight in observing rails, elegant egrets and others.

Our 7.5-mile hike will take us across woodland trails, over gentle slopes, along and over marshes, visiting wildlife blinds on boardwalks; We will hike along the Patuxent River and take in great views from a bluff. The trails also take us over meadows and fields of the River Farm.

Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim (202-744-0289). Call or text as needed.

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 38.78509, -76.70172

The Street address to the park is 1361 Wrighton Road, Lothian, MD 20711. We meet at the visitors center.

Details:
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 300 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Bathroom at Visitor Center; portable bathroom about 3 miles into the hike.

Fees:
$6.00 per car (Ann Arundel County); free for active military

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Weather:
The weather for this location can be found here.

Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.