Glendenning Wildlife Sanctuary: A 5.3 Mile Easy Side of Moderate Hike

Glendenning Wildlife Sanctuary: A 5.3 Mile Easy Side of Moderate Hike

Nestled near Upper Marlboro, Maryland, Glendenning Wildlife Sanctuary is a little gem within the larger Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. This 620-acre preserve offers a scenic 5.3-mile hike characterized by its easy-to-moderate terrain.

The hike begins at The Plummer House, a restored farmhouse active up to 2007. On the grounds are classic farm structures, including a striking old red barn that adds a touch of rustic beauty to the landscape. In the warmer months, visitors can enjoy a vibrant butterfly garden, home to over 90 plant species and more than 45 butterfly species. The garden is also the hub of a phenology citizen science monitoring project, typically coming alive each April.

The sanctuary's trail system winds through a remarkable array of habitats. Hikers will traverse open meadows with wildflowers, navigate serene pine and sand barrens, and wander through upland forests. Interspersed throughout are streams that eventually feed into the scenic Patuxent River, offering plenty of opportunities for wildlife viewing and moments of quiet reflection. One of the sanctuary's standout features is a 460-foot boardwalk that stretches through the wetlands, leading hikers to Old Galloway Creek and a view of the Patuxent River.

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 38.80230, -76.69092
The address for this hike is 5702 Plummer Lane, Lothian, MD 20711. After turning off of Route, MD 4 (Southern Maryland Blvd) onto Plummer Lane, the entrance to Glendinning park is a only couple hundred feet off to the right. Look for the sign.

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: Easy side of moderate
Distance: 5.3 miles
Elevation Gain: Approximately 250 ft
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead
Fees: No entrance fee
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.