Patapsco, Avalon Area: 6.5 Mile Hike with an Option for 3.5 More

Patapsco, Avalon Area: 6.5 Mile Hike with an Option for 3.5 More

Patapsco Valley State Park, located in Maryland, is an expansive natural sanctuary stretching along 32 miles of the Patapsco River. Encompassing 16,043 acres and eight developed recreational areas, this park stands as a testament to the region’s rich ecological diversity and historical significance. The park’s lush forests, winding streams, and remnants of the past converge to create a unique outdoor experience for visitors.

Renowned nationwide for its scenic beauty and extensive trail network, Patapsco Valley State Park offers over 200 miles of trails, with 70 miles designated as maintained. These trails cater to a variety of users, including hiker-only paths and multi-use routes accessible from many areas throughout the park.

This specific hike explores a small yet remarkable section of Patapsco Valley State Park, covering approximately 10 miles of its trails. The journey begins at the Avalon Area Parking Lot, guiding hikers through a diverse selection of trails: Ridge, Captain John Smith, Rock Burn Branch, Nacho, Morning Choice, and Water Bar. The initial segment of the hike spans 6.5 miles, offering a variety of terrains and scenic vistas. There are three significant, but not difficult stream crossings. If you usually use poles for stream crossings, please bring them along.

After completing the first 6.5-mile stretch, hikers have the opportunity to pause for lunch—be sure to bring your own provisions.

For those seeking additional exploration, an optional 3.5-mile extension is available. This segment traverses the Ridge and Valley View trails, presenting further opportunities to experience the park’s natural beauty.

The 6.5 mile hike will end around 1:00 PM. The 10 mile hike will end around 3:00 PM

Please note that you must sign up by 9:00 on August 6, the night before the hike.

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

Directions to Trailhead:
The GPS Coordinates are 39.22718,-76.72452 .
The Street address to the park entrance is 5120 South St, Halethorpe, MD 21227. After turning into the park, proceed to the end of the road (about 1/2 mile) and turn left over the bridge. Follow the road just to the bend and you will see the parking lot on your right.

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

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 to easy side of challenging
Distance: 6.5 or 10 miles (your choice)
Elevation Gain: Approximately 600 ft (6.5 miles) 971 ft (10 miles)
Pace: 2.0 to 2.5 miles per hour
Fees: $3 in state, $5 out of state. Free if you have a Maryland Parks State Pass.
Facilities: Toilets can be found near the trailhead

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.
-To become a PATC member, click here.