Fw: can you send this to the listserv? Vigorous Hike Tuesday, Oct 8: Catoctin Mountain Park/ Cunningham Falls single loop

[HUNT LOFTIN]

Sent from AOL on Android

----- Forwarded Message -----

From: "Sydney Dy" <syd...@gmail.com>

To: "hlo...@verizon.net" <hlo...@verizon.net>

Cc:

Sent: Fri, Oct 4, 2024 at 5:57

Subject: can you send this to the listserv? Vigorous Hike Tuesday, Oct 8: Catoctin Mountain Park/ Cunningham Falls single loop

I still don't have access to send this out on the listserv

thanks!!

------------------

Vigorous Hike Tuesday, Oct 8: Catoctin Mountain Park/ Cunningham Falls single loop

Start locale: Cunningham State Falls Park Manor Area, park in the 1st parking lot after entering the area (across from the playground). There is a $3 fee per vehicle/ $5 nonresidents, restrooms available. Take I-270 N or I-70W  to U.S.-15 North; in 11 miles take a careful left into the Manor Area entrance road, then turn left after the entrance station and park in the first parking lot (not down at the Visitors Center). GPS: 39.586281, -77.435971.

https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/cunningham.aspx 6709 Cunningham Falls Park Rd. Thurmont, MD 21788 

Start time: 8:30 am

Route: We will start on the Bobs Hill Trail (Yellow Blaze) which soon joins up with the Catoctin trail (blue blaze) northbound from the Manor area and walk up to Bob's Hill (overlook from here to left of the trail).Then follow the Catoctin trail all the way across Catoctin Hollow Road and past the William Houck campground area until we get to the yellow blaze Cliff Trail. Here we will take a right and go to the lake parking lot.

(If you end up wanting a shorter hike, you can instead walk over to the falls when we get to the Cliff trail and then return the way you came; or after walking up to the Visitors Center with us, can walk up to Park Headquarters and follow directions back from there, skipping the Catoctin park loop - either shorter option is about 12 miles.)

We will then walk by the lake and on an unofficial trail (it is marked on Alltrails) to get to the Catoctin Mountain Park side and the Visitors Center there. if you're not familiar with how to get through this way, suggest you wait for us at the turnoff to the Cliff Trail if you're ahead; with the marked trails you can no longer officially get through to the Catoctin side by the Falls. (Plenty of restrooms in this section).  Then walk West on the Falls Nature Trail (yellow blaze), cross Foxville Rd. at the handicapped parking for a quick out and back on the boardwalk to view the Cunningham Falls. (We can stop for lunch here or at one of the later viewpoints). Then go Northeast on the steep ascent to Hog Rock (pit toilet) and beyond to the Blue Ridge Summit. Then East to Thurmont Vista (purple blaze) and South to orange blaze to Wolf Rock (no view) and Chimney Rock. After this, follow signs to Park headquarters on the orange blaze. Here, we will cross Foxville Rd. back into Cunningham Falls State Park parking lot and walk to Cat Rock on the Yellow Trail spur. Keep going past Cat Rock on the Yellow Trail; you will eventually come to a left turn on the yellow trail where it joins the Catoctin (blue) trail with a sign for Bobs hill to the left and stay on Catoctin Trail/Bobs Hill almost all the way  to the Manor area- near the very end hang left on the yellow trail back to the cars.

Approximately 19 miles and 3600 feet of elevation

These are some more detailed maps than the one attached, will have maps at the start also

https://dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/documents/cunningham_map.pdf

https://www.nps.gov/cato/planyourvisit/images/East-Side-Trail-Map-Page-1-COLORIZED.jpg

Hikers who wish to carpool should meet no later than 7AM at the Centerville Park and Ride off I66, exit 52, Centerville.  Go West on Rt 29 taking the 2nd right into the parking lot area, then immediately turn left to the corner of the lot where our group gathers.  (See: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/connector/riders/stone-road ) 

I understand that you also sometimes carpool from Carderock for Maryland hikes, which is a little bit closer.

From I-495, take Exit 41 toward Carderock / Great Falls. Merge onto Clara Barton Parkway, take the exit toward I-495, then turn left into Carderock. Then take an immediate left and park in the large parking lot on the same side as the pavilion. GPS: 38.971332, -77.199019. 

Please let me know if you will meet at carpool (Centerville or Carderock, i can help coordinate which people prefer) or at Cunningham Falls.

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