Appalachian Trail In Northern MD (Rating: C / B)
Details
Disclaimer
You must read the following NVHC Sign-in Sheet Statement/Liability Disclaimer, https://nvhc.com/signin.pdf and then answer the question that you will see when you RSVP with "I accept" to be permitted on the hike.
Hike description
The C version of the hike is 6.6 miles and ends when we return from tha Appalachian Trail to the High Rock Trailhead Parking Area. It has 1250 feet of elevation gain.
The optional B version of this hike will then continue down to the left of the parking area, connect again to the Appalachian Trail and descend down a rocky / boulder-filled hillside followed by a return climb back up to the parking area, for an additional 1.3 miles and 560 feet of elevation gain (total 7.9 miles and 1810 feet).
We’ll start at the High Rock Trailhead Parking Area off of Pen Mar High Rock Road in Smithsburg, MD, hike south on the Appalachian Trail, take a side route to see the Raven Rock Shelter and camping area, continue south to cross Raven Rock Road and reach the trail’s closest point to Buzzard Knob, and then we'll hike back to the parking area. The views on this hike are at the beginning and end, at the High Rock cliff next to where we'll park.
There is a semi-private primitive toilet at the Raven Rock Shelter. You will likely need to have your own supplies.
We’ll hike at a 2.0 to 2.5 mph pace when moving, although we may move slower on the B hillside portion.
Dogs are permitted on this hike in accordance with the NVHC Dog Policy. https://tinyurl.com/nvhcdogpolicy.
Leader: Ron Krifcher 703-856-7557 (C)
No park entry fee.
Meet
Meet at 8:30 am at the High Rock Trailhead Parking Area off of Pen Mar High Rock Road in Smithsburg, MD. GPS Coordinates: 39.695181, -77.523330.
Carpools
Neither the Club nor the hike leaders are responsible for coordinating transportation to/from the trailhead. Hikers are not guaranteed to get a ride to the trailhead from a carpool location. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk. Feel free to arrange a carpool in the comment section below. Carpooling is organized by the participants and they participate at their own risk.
Alltrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/explore/custom-routes/custom-route-94613c8?u=i&sh=r3znix
You must be experienced in hikes of this distance, pace and elevation gain to join this hike.