Catoctin Mountain Extended Loop Trail
Details
This is one of my favorite local hiking trail.
It's combination of all of the three major loops in the Catoctin Mountain Park includes Cunningham Falls, Hog Rock, Blue Ridge Summit, Thurmont Vista, Wolf Rock, and Chimney Rock.
Hiking this trail ranges from an easy walk to a challenging uphill hike, but the beautiful vistas make it well worth the effort. The park also has many interesting geological formations and wildlife.
Basics:
Distance: Approx. 9 miles
Hiking Time: Total Hiking Time: 5.5 hours (including scenic breaks and snack/lunch breaks)
Elevation Gain: Approx. 1700ft
Rated: B+ (Moderately challenging)
Pace: We will be hike at the pace of 2 to 2.5 miles/hr.
Hike starts at 7 am and expected to finish before or by 12:30pm.
Meet and greet 6.50 to 7am.
Meet at Catoctin Mountain Visitor Center Parking
14707 Park Central Rd, Thurmont, MD
Note: This event is cross posted in another meetup - Desi Outdoors meetup.
What to bring: Plenty water, snacks, lunch for yourself.. Wearing hiking footwear and bringing hiking poles is suggested to help you with inclines and declines.
If your plans change and you cannot come, change your RSVP promptly.
Parking: The Visitor Center lot has limited parking. Plenty of Parking available on the shoulder of Rt 77 on both sides about a block or two from the Visitor Center.
Dogs Allowed
Directions:
VISITOR CENTER DIRECTIONS:
For GPS Use Only: the Street Address of the Visitor Center is 14707 Park Central Road, Thurmont, MD. This is NOT a mailing address. The Park mailing address is: Catoctin Mountain Park, 6602 Foxville Road, Thurmont, MD 21788.
From Baltimore, MD Take I695 beltway to I70 West to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 North to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West (the exit sign says Catoctin Mountain Park. Travel approximately 3 miles west on 77 and turn right onto Park Central Road. The Visitor Center is on the right.
From Washington DC take I270 north 27 miles to Frederick, MD. Take Route 15 about 17 miles north to Thurmont, MD. Take Route 77 West, the exit sign is marked Catoctin Mountain Park. Travel approximately 3 miles west on 77 and turn right onto Park Central Road. The Visitor Center is on the right.
*** IMPORTANT ***
BY ATTENDING THIS EVENT, YOU AGREE TO THE LIABILITY WAIVER, INDEMNIFICATION, ASSUMPTION OF RISK, AND OTHER TERMS AND CONDITIONS (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z39AGebAVz9c-3S4zf3tj4Eb7V9k3PrH/view) (revision 12/1/22). PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY BEFORE RSVP'ING.