Historic Savage Mill up to Columbia Lakes on the Patuxent River Trail

## Details

Not recommended if your biking muscles aren’t in shape yet - you will be very sore the next day if they aren’t !

***IMPORTANT! The meeting area/parking lot is at the rear end of the building, not the small front lot - if you don’t see the Terrapin Adventure sign and stations at the fence line, you’re in the wrong place. Park near the stack of kayaks on one side ***

We have three distance options mapped out, ranging from 10 to 22 miles (out and back).

This trail is a favorite for hot sunny days due to being mostly shady, scenic and less busy than other trails. So we will likely do it again in the summer.

I would say this route has more hills than most others. We start off going through Savage Park and this has a couple of short hills. Then we’ll ride relatively flat sections (except one long steep hill at Vollmerhausen Rd and a couple of other shorter hills and then another long hill on the way back from Columbia.

You will see two historic truss bridges (one when you drive around from Gorman Rd and the other when you ride through it and stop for a water break), the river and 1-3 lakes, pass through marshy areas on boardwalks and through woody fields.

All bike types and tires will be fine on the trails. I ride it with standard road tires and feel some of the rocks and tree root bumps along the river trail, but it’s tolerable (for me anyway).

I will be the “sweeper up to Option B and back.

Bathrooms are at Historic Savage Mill, where we start, and also in Savage Park, which we pass through. Further up will be park bathrooms/potties and Whole Food’s bathrooms.

Plan to arrive by 9:45 ish so you have time to get yourself ready, check your tire pressure and check in. We’ll depart at 10:00 from the meeting place given. If you’re late, put in "Lake Elkhorn" in a phone nav app and you should be able to catch up.

THREE OPTIONS:
OPTION A (~5.8 miles each way)
Bike to Lake Elkhorn, go around, stop for a break and return on your own or wait for option B bikers to get back and return with them. Use a phone nav app to assist with your return if you’re not familiar with this area.

OPTION B (~9 miles each way)
After Option A, bike up to Lake Kittamaqundi, go around (distance is 1 .4 miles) stop for a break at the water feature/grassy area/go to Whole Foods, then return the same way. This option entails using a sidewalk, a portion of road and road crossings. Speed around the lake will be slower due to pedestrian traffic.

OPTION C (~11 miles each way)
After Option B, bike a short NW connector trail, cross over Little Patuxent Pkwy at the light, and go left into Wilde Lake Park. Bike around the lake from the left side and return the same way to lake Kittamaqundi. Speed will be slower due to elevation changes, the curvy trail, and pedestrians.
Stop for a break, then return to Savage Park with stops as needed. (This entails a road crossing and sidewalk.)
AFTERWARDS
Option to go into Historic Savage Mill afterwards to cool down/walk around/have a drink or meal. We’ll probably go to the bakery and sit on the patio where we can watch our bikes nearby.

Requirements
Must wear a helmet while on your bike
We will bring first-aid items and electrolyte powder packets should anyone need them. We have a small bike pump.

Recommendations:
Water bottles, electrolytes, credit card, biking gloves, spare tire, sunglasses/bike cap, pocket or travel pouch, hand sanitizer, first aid kit, backpack, bike pump

Participation is at your own risk