American Chestnut: Raft, Parkers Creek Loop, & Bay Overlook, a 8 Mile Hike

American Chestnut: Raft, Parkers Creek Loop, and Bay Overlook, a Moderate 8 Mile Hike

Nestled in the heart of Southern Maryland, the American Chestnut Land Trust (ACLT) stands as a testament to both the enduring beauty of the region’s wild spaces and the resilience of a conservation movement born from tragedy. Named in honor of the once-mighty American Chestnut tree—a species decimated by the Chestnut Blight introduced at the dawn of the twentieth century—ACLT’s story weaves together natural history, ecological stewardship, and the invigorating experience of hiking through the land it so carefully protects. ACLT once had Maryland's Champion tree, but it fell during a hurricane. Today, the ACLT plants hybrid American Chestnut trees trying to bring these trees back to the park.

The American Chestnut Land Trust is more than a memorial to a vanished tree. It is a vibrant, member-supported non-profit whose mission is to preserve the natural lands, waterways, and habitats of the Parker Creek and Governors Run watersheds. Through community engagement, scientific stewardship, and a tireless commitment to access, ACLT safeguards approximately 3,800 acres of diverse landscapes.

Our journey begins at the main trailhead, where we descend the Horse Swamp Trail to the Bay Overlook, then hike back to descend the Double Oak Trail. This section is a favorite among hikers for its ancient, spreading oaks. At Parkers Creek, the trail comes to a curious and delightful crossing: a floating raft, tethered with ropes, carrying hikers across the gentle waters of Parker Creek. Once across, we have lunch along a beaver dam then double back making our way to the final segment, the Turkey Trail, which winds back to the trailhead through groves of sweetgum and holly.

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

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 38.546005, -76.526887

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

Details
Rating: Moderate
Distance: 8 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 815 feet
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Portable Toilets can be found near the 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.
-A Well-Mannered, Leashed Fido is Welcome on this Hike
-To find out more about PATC, click here.
-Consider becoming a member of PATC. To join, click here.