Catoctin Mountain Park: A Moderately challenging 5.1 or 8.4 Mile Hike

Catoctin Mountain Park: A Moderately challenging 5.1 or 8.4 Mile Hike

Nestled deep within the forested mountains of Western Maryland, Catoctin Mountain Park stands as a testament to the region’s rugged beauty and natural heritage. As one of more than 420 national park units in the United States, Catoctin Mountain Park offers a sprawling network of 25 miles of hiking trails, graded from easy woodland strolls to challenging mountain climbs, ensuring both the casual adventurer and the seasoned hiker can find a suitable path.

This hike has a primary hike of 5.1 miles and an optional second hike of an additional 3.3 miles.

Our primary hike begins at the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitors Center on the Whiskey Still Trail, passing past the location of the largest commercial distillery in Frederick County during prohibition. This trail was connected early this year to the Charcoal Exhibit Trail, which tells of the people and their skills and trades in making charcoal, which supplied the charcoal for the Catoctin Iron Furnace. The route merges into the Hog Rock Loop Trail, a section with broad vistas and higher elevation. Continuing onward, we traverse the Thurmont Loop Trail, a connector that leads us to some of the park’s most iconic geological features—Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock. The return journey follows the Gateway Trail, winding back through the woods to the Visitors Center.

For those continuing with the optional second hike, the route begins at the Park Headquarter by crossing the road into Cunningham State Park and ascend yellow blazed Cat Rock Trail to a rock scramble up Cat Rock for the view. Returning we climb and then descend on Old Misery Trail. We return on the shoulder of Catoctin Hollow Road to the Visitor Center.

Bring a snack or lunch to enjoy with the group at Wolf Rock and Cat Rock.

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

Directions to Trailhead:
Catoctin Park Visitor Center, 14707 Park Central Rd, Thurmont, MD 21788

The GPS Coordinates are 39.63369, -77.44926

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 side of difficult
Distance: 5.1 or 8.4 miles (your choice)
Elevation Gain: Approximately 935 ft (5.1 miles), or 1,700 ft (8.4 miles)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: 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 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.