Cunningham Falls: Cat Rock and Bob's Hill, A Moderate/Strenuous 8.4 Mile Hike

Cunningham Falls State Park: Cat Rock and Bob's Hill, A Moderate/Strenuous 8.4 Mile Hike

A hike up Catoctin Mountain to the summit of Cat Rock (elev. 1,560 feet) yields the reward of an unforgettable view of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Frederick Valley. Although no one knows for sure, Cat Rock got its name either from its resemblance to a cat or from the fact that bobcats have been seen there.

At Cat Rock's peak, the quartzite outcrop is extensive and spectacular, featuring jagged cliffs with a jumble of giant boulders below, forming an intricate network of caves and deep crevices. The dry, exposed rocks support little vegetation, but do feature a variety of colorful lichens and mosses. The expansive forests surrounding these geologic wonders are maturing second growth. Historically, the trees were cut to support charcoal production at the Catoctin Furnace between 1776 to 1903.

(Portions of narrative information provided on this page are provided with permission granted from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources).

Bring a lunch or snack to enjoy at the summit.

Time to Meet: Please meet at 9:45 for introductions and sign in. We will start hiking promptly at 10:00

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 39.588855, -77.435561
The Street address to the park entrance is 12917 Catoctin Furnace Road, Thurmont, MD 21788. This address is for Mikes Auto Body, which is across the street from the park’s parking lot.

Contact Information:
Please use the comments feature for routine comments and questions. The hike Leaders are Christa; 410.610.6254, and Tim; 202-744-0289. Call or text as needed.

Details
Rating: Moderate/Strenuous
Distance: 8.4 Miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 1640 ft (6 miles)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilet at trailhead.
Fees: No entrance fees

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.

Weather:
The weather for this location can be found here.

Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 9:00 PM the day before the hike.
-Please do not show up unregistered.
-Please keep this a fragrance free event.
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.