PATC Hikes & Events

Jug Bay Natural Area in Patuxent River Park! Your Choice of a 8.5 or 6 Mile Moderate Hike

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER NOTES

The marshes of Jug Bay draw visitors to this Natural Area in all seasons. The marshes provide food for waterfowl, and are a haven for numerous birds, including ospreys. The Jug Bay Natural Area is adjacent to one of the most extensive freshwater tidal wetlands on the East Coast.

This hike follows a boardwalk through the wetlands, which leads to an observation platform over the Patuxent River. The hike continues through the woods on rolling hills, overlooking small streambeds. At about mile 4 we will split, the 6-mile group will continue and finish the blue trail and continue on the purple trail before returning to the trailhead, while the 8.5-mile group will return via the yellow and purple trail.

We will stop at an overlook for snacks.

Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:15 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:30

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 38.77345, -76.71103

The Street address to the park entrance is 1600 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. After turning into the park, proceed 1.5 miles to the visitor’s center parking lot, where we will meet.

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader are Christa: 410.610.6254 and Tim 202.744.0289. Call or text as needed.

Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 8.5 or 6 miles
Configuration: Loop
Trail Surface: Mostly dirt; short board walk
Elevation Gain: 325 ft for 8.5 miles and 215 ft for 6 miles
Pace: 2.0 to 2.3 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found at the trailhead
Fees: No entrance fees

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to 9 pm the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

Gold Mine and Ford Mine, a 6.3 or 9 Moderate Hike

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."

This hike features the remnants of a quirky gold mine and the classic overlook of Great Falls. An optional extension of 2.7 miles takes us to an area near a lesser known mine, Ford Mine.

The Gold Mine was established by a Union soldier who was stationed along the Maryland side of the Potomac River near Great Falls during the Civil War. He noticed a glint of gold and after the war, he returned to the area, bought some farmland, and started mining for gold. Eventually, 30 small mines were opened by various prospectors. One of the largest mines was the Maryland “Gold Mine.” Today, little remains of these mines, but there is a loop trail that passes by one of them. The hike starts at the Great Falls MARYLAND (The C&O Canal National Historic Park) Visitor’s Center. From there we hike to Gold Mine, then to overlooks above the canal and river, then down to the classic Great Falls Overlook. We return to the visitor’s center.

For those who want more, we take a 2.7 mile hike through the area near the Ford Mine. While the mine is no longer visible, the terrain is a pleasant ramble through words and rolling hills.

The 6.3-mile hike will end around 12:30 PM. The 9-mile hike will end around 2:15 PM.

Bring a snack or lunch which we will enjoy between the hikes.

Time to Meet:
Please meet at 9:15 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:30

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leader is Tim (202-744-0289). Call or text as needed.

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 39.001617, -77.247334
The Street address is 11710 MacArthur Blvd, Potomac, MD 20854. NOTE: From this address, follow signs down to the visitor center parking lot.

NOTE: There is a $20 entrance fee per car unless you have a National Parks Pass.

Details:
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6.3 miles (Gold Mine Loop) or 9 miles (Gold Mine and Ford Mine Loops)
Elevation Gain: Approximately 520 feet (Gold Mine) or 680 (Gold and Ford Mine)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: There is a toilet near the trailhead
Fees: There is a $20 entrance fee per car unless you have a National Parks Pass.

A leashed, well-behaved Fido is allowed on this hike

Cancellation:
In the unlikely event that the hike needs to be cancelled, it may be cancelled up to the evening before the hike. Hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.