Tues February 24 hike, Pen Mar south to Ensign Cowall Shelter 19M/3600 feet elevation (flexible)

[Sydney Dy]

PEN MAR SOUTH to Ensign Cowall Shelter - We will meet at 8:30 am at the parking lot across the street from Pen Mar park (the park and restrooms closed for the winter) with a plan to do the 1st section of the Hike Across Maryland on the AT out and back.

We still have a lot of snow on the trails in Maryland and things may refreeze, so expect people will want to do more like 15-17 miles - to get to the Shelter is about 19-20M and 3600 feet elevation. 

i will check out the conditions this weekend, since there are a couple of  pretty bouldery/ steep sections that could be icy and a stream crossing that can require a detour, if it seems iffy I may change it to going north from Penmar like we did last year. i'll send out an update if needed or let me know if questions, bring microspikes in case needed

This is an out and back so feel free to do as much as you like; there are a couple of nice short blue blazes with views (High Rock and Ravens Rock) as well as the view from Pen Mar. There is a privy at the Shelter.

Directions: 14600 Pen Mar Rd, Highfield-Cascade, MD. https://www.washco-md.net/parks-facilities/county-park/parks-pen-mar/. The park is closed for the season so park in the large AT parking lot right across the street, . 39.71634, -77.5072, Highland-Cascade, MD. From Carderock, take i-495 to i-270N to 15N. Take the MD-550N exit and take a left, slight left onto Fort Ritchie Rd, continue onto MD-491/ Macafee Hill Rd, L onto Pen Mar Road and continue onto Pen Mar High Rock Rd - parking lot will be 0.1 mile, on the L.

https://www.washco-md.net/parks-facilities/county-park/parks-pen-mar/

https://files.dep.state.pa.us/RegionalResources/SCRO/SCROPortalFiles/Community%20Info/SpecialtyGranulesQuarry/01180301/05032019/Appendix%203.3%20-%20Michaux%20State%20Forest%20Map.pdf

Carpool from Carderock lot, expect about an hour 15 minutes given traffic. Start from the first parking lot at Carderock Recreation Area (38.9723,-77.1996).  Exit the beltway for Clara Barton Parkway West (towards Potomac), in less than a mile exit and follow signs into Carderock Rec Area (for the first parking area turn right and then an immediate left) 

Please let me know if you will meet at carpool (Carderock) or at the trailhead.

Map attached with more details & also a 10 mile version of this hike. 

Leader: Sydney Dy syd...@gmail.com/ text 410 440 0881

[Sydney Dy]

Just letting everyone know this hike is still on. On Saturday everything was surprisingly dry and passable so it will be just this latest snow. The roads are pretty clear around Baltimore and would expect the same getting all the way to Pen Mar, the parking lot does not get plowed but it looks like not more than 6 inches of snow so hopefully should be doable. Given that it's just snow i'd plan to try going south from Pen Mar but we can decide/ see how it goes as northwards is an easier section or decide to turn around at any point, the 1st big stream crossing is about 6 miles in

appreciate any input too!

Sydney

cell 410 440 0881

[Josh Silverman]

Sydney -

I can’t make it.  My car’s malfunction light went on when I started it this morning, and I can’t risk driving a long distance until I get it checked out by the car service people first.

Josh

Get Outlook for iOS

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From: vigorou...@googlegroups.com <vigorou...@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Sydney Dy <syd...@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, February 23, 2026 8:39:04 AM
To: Vigorous Hikers <vigorou...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Fwd: Tues February 24 hike, Pen Mar south to Ensign Cowall Shelter 19M/3600 feet elevation (flexible)

 

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