What we’re about
All are welcome! Even the young, old, Virginians, and Washingtonians. Although my goal with this group is to lure out folks in their late 30's to early 50's and help remind them how to have fun outside. So if you're one of those people who has been spending too many Saturdays watching children's soccer games, sneak out and join us sometime soon. We'll even post events further afield in VA, WV, and PA, but the majority of meetups will be in Central Maryland and usually 4-8 miles in length.
This group has only four rules:
- If you sign up, show up. I will ruthlessly boot anyone who is a no-show. It only takes 6 seconds on average to change your RSVP to NO. Don't you want to give your spot to someone in dire need of fun?
- Please read the entire description before signing up for an event. I work hard to post thorough descriptions so people can be informed of both the itinerary AND the expected challenges.
- You are responsible for your own safety. This is just a group of potential new friends walking around the woods, not a professional guide service. Please come prepared with the appropriate gear and provisions to safely make it through the posted itinerary.
- Have fun! No spoilsports allowed.
Many events will be cross-posted with the warmer-season group, Paddle Something. If you've got a kayak, canoe or paddle board - check it out at: https://www.meetup.com/paddle-something/
Upcoming events
2
Hike Patapsco State Park Hilton Area plus SPOOKY ruins - 5.5 miles
Patapsco Valley State Park - Hilton Area, 1101 Hilton Ave, Catonsville, MD, USThis hike has it all - scenic vistas, 19th century history, a few tough climbs, and the probably haunted remains of an old monastery. All packed in to under six miles!
We'll start from the main parking lot at the Hilton Area and head north along the Santee Branch and Sawmill trails. Then we'll cut over to the Buzzard Rock lookout and descend the fairly steep trail to the paved Grist Mill Trail. We'll cross the river and pay a visit to the ruins of the former monastery across the street (and up five flights of stone steps) and the spooky painted altar in the picture above. Then back up the Sawmill Branch trail up the hill back to our cars. This does have some steep/strenuous parts, so is not recommended for brand new hikers. Please wear appropriate footwear and bring water!
You can follow our route using Alltrails at this link.
Total distance should be around five and half miles and total elevation gain is about 700', spread evenly through three fairly strenuous hills. Unless we spend a ton of time taking sacrificial photos at the spooky altar, we should be wrapped up around 1:30. Please arrive with time to get laced up and start promptly at 10:30. We don't wait for latecomers.
Hopefully you'll have worked up an appetite. You'll need it for the Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar in Ellicott City, which is where I'm heading afterwards to recklessly replenish my hard-burned calories..25 attendees
Free film screening about Poplar Island at National Wildlife Visitor Center
National Wildlife Visitor Center, 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD, USCome check out a free screening and talk about the film "Resurrecting Poplar Island" at the Patuxent Research Refuge. For those of you who haven't been involved in its construction, Poplar Island (like its northern cousin Hart-Miller) was nearly washed away by erosion over the past century. For over two decades now, it has been rebuilt into a large wildlife refuge using dredge material from shipping channel maintenance. Perhaps this film will get enough people jazzed up to take the long trip out to it next summer.
More info at the link below.
https://www.fws.gov/event/free-film-speakers-program-resurrecting-poplar-island
Film: Resurrecting Poplar Island, exploring the rebirth of a once-thriving island community in the Chesapeake Bay, lost to erosion in the late 20th century. The island is now home to a thriving ecosystem, thanks to “an extraordinary partnership between state and federal agencies.” Q&A with guest speakers from Poplar Island. Friends of Patuxent will provide light refreshments.
Schedule:
Visitor Center special hours opening at 4:00
Film Starts at 5:30
Intermission with free snacks at 6:00
Speaker portion begins at 6:20
Building closes at 8:001 attendee
Past events
27
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