Exploring Seneca Creek, a 6.5-Mile Hike

Exploring Seneca Creek, a 6.5-Mile Hike

Nestled in the heart of Maryland, Seneca Creek State Park is a sprawling expanse of natural beauty, rich with diverse habitats, scenic vistas, and a sense of tranquility that draws visitors from near and far. The park encompasses an impressive 6,300 acres, stretching along 14 meandering miles of the picturesque Seneca Creek as it weaves its way toward the Potomac River.

At the heart of Seneca Creek Park lies the Clopper Day-Use Area, a favorite destination for both casual visitors and seasoned naturalists. Here one finds a remarkable diversity of scenic areas, each with its own allure. The crown jewel, however, is undoubtedly Clopper Lake—a woodland-enveloped, 90-acre expanse of tranquil water, reflecting the shifting moods of the sky and the vibrant palette of the surrounding forests.

This 6.5-mile, modestly hilly water-side hike follows a loop taking hikers around Clopper Lake and through its surrounding forest. It passes through oak and hickory woods that harbor dogwoods, redbuds, pines, and mountain laurels. With only 404 feet of elevation change, the trail is accessible to most, offering a satisfying challenge without the rigors of steep climbs.

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 39.151561, -77.248895
The address is 11950 Clopper Road, Gaithersburg, MD. As you enter the park area from Clopper Road, take the first right toward the park offices. We meet at that parking lot. If you find yourself at the payment booth, you have missed the turn.

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.

Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 400 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead at the visitor center
Fees: No entrance fees
A 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.

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

Notes:
-Please note, you must sign up at by 8:00 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.