PATC Hikes & Events

St. Mary’s City. Watch the Dove under sail: A Moderate 6-Mile Hike

SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION UNDER "NOTES."

The hike starts in the part where the museum is today. It leads past a representation of one of the original ships that brought colonists to Maryland in 1634: the Maryland Dove, past longhouses similar to those where the Indians lived and which colonists occupied when they arrived; past building like an inn, a print house, and the brick chapel rebuilt on its original
foundation. We leave the museum part before it opens at 10:00 AM. You have a chance to come back and visit after the hike. There is an admission charge. We then walk the Nature trail along St. Mary’s River, past a slave cabin and the home of the plantation owner, the Brome Howard House (today an inn and restaurant), whose ancestors bought the land of original St. Mary’s City once the capital moved to Annapolis.
While hiking along the water front we have the chance to watch the Maryland Dove under sail. (This is a public sail, so instead of hiking on the Nature trail you can purchase a ticket to be on board for the sail.)

In 1973 archaeologists at St. Mary’s City were surprised to discover that in the 1650s iron was produced here, the first iron in Maryland. The trail in the museum part is on paved trails, mainly in the sun, while the Nature trail is mostly unpaved and shaded; both trails are scenic and close to the river.

Bring a snack to enjoy while watching the Maryland Dove under sail.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 8:45 for introduction and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 9:00.

Directions to Trailhead:
The street address is 18559 Hogaboom Lane, St. Mary’s City, MD 20686

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The Hike Leader is
Christa: 410-610-6254. Call or text as needed.

Details:
Distance: 6 miles
Elevation gain: Approximately 140 feet
Pace: 2.0-2.5 miles per hour

Facilities: There are no open toilets at the beginning of the 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.

PLEASE SEE IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON REGISTRATION BELOW

Riverbend Park sits just upstream from Great Falls NP in Virginia. This moderate 4.8 mile hike with only 75 feet of elevation gain follows a trail which provides beautiful river vistas and a variety of natural scenery. This rocky, mainly natural surface trail runs parallel to the river for most of its length. Wildlife such as herons, ducks, or eagles can sometimes be seen along the riverside. You will be able to hear the sound of the falls as we approach Great Falls park. Once we arrive we will take a few minutes at the Great Falls overlooks to enjoy the beauty of the falls, then proceed a bit further along the river before looping back and returning the way we came. Parts of this trail are narrow and there is a small rock scramble as well to add to the fun.
Restrooms are available at both Riverbend and Great Falls visitor centers.

Please arrive by 9:45 to check
in. We will begin hiking promptly at 10:00

If the hike needs to be cancelled, hikers will be notified through comments on this posting.

PLEASE RSVP IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THIS HIKE. DO NOT SHOW UP UNREGISTERED!
If your plans change, please update your RSVP by 6:00 pm the day before the hike to allow sufficient time to fill your spot. Signing out after this will be considered a "no show". Repeated instances may result in being barred from participating in future hikes.

If you are on the waitlist, please check your status after 6:00 pm the day before to see if you have been moved to the "going" list. If you are on the waitlist and no longer wish to attend, it is important to sign out even if you are not yet confirmed, otherwise you may be marked as a no show.