Join us Sunday for a scenic lakeside stroll to the famed Schwartz Peony Garden. Optional BYO picnic afterward. READ MORE below...
OVERVIEW
We did tulips. We did azaleas. Now it's peony time! The historic Schwartz Peony Garden is a hidden gem inside Seneca Creek State Park in Montgomery County, MD. Each May, thousands of peony plants representing scores of different varieties/colors bloom in the park's display garden and nearby fields. We'll begin with a casual walk along a section of scenic Clopper Lake, then explore the impressive peony fields and garden. Afterward, we can enjoy an optional picnic lunch in the Pines Picnic Area. (Bring your own chair, food, and beverage. See details below.)
THE DETAILS
RSVPs:
This event is cross-posted. Please RSVP with only one group. Thank you.
Meeting Location:
Seneca Creek State Park is located at 11950 Clopper Road in Gaithersburg, MD. The entrance fee is $3 per person ($5 for non-Maryland residents). After passing through the contact station (toll booth), bear right. (Ignore the "Peonies" signs; we're not meeting at the gardens.) At the next intersection, turn left and park in the lot. If it's full, overflow parking is available across the road. We will meet next to the restroom building overlooking the lake.
The Hike:
If you're running late, walk down to the lake and turn left. We'll follow a section of the Lake Shore Trail and enjoy the scenic views before heading up to the peonies. Once at the gardens, there will be ample time to explore and take pictures before we loop back to our starting point. Overall distance will be less than 2 miles with fewer than 100 feet of elevation. We'll walk at a relaxed, conversational pace of no more than 2.5 mph. Trails are natural surface, but usually not muddy, so sneakers should be fine. Well-behaved dogs who keep their owners on a short (6 foot) leash are welcome.
The Picnic:
After enjoying the blooms, we'll wander through the Pines Picnic Area back to our start point. We can then celebrate spring and enjoy some camaraderie during an optional BYO post-hike picnic. We'll scope out tables as we pass through the picnic area, but in case they're all taken, please bring a portable chair or blanket. As always, your host (Carl, aka PapaDuck) will provide an assortment of chips, but please bring your own lunch and beverage.
Thanks for your attention. We hope to see you Sunday! :)
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Please note: A "yes" RSVP is your digital signature attesting that you have read, understood, and agreed to the group's Liability Waiver and Release, located here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mD_vRF62MaCBUyVsx_qzi72hCpaZsqr_/view
