the dwfma blog.

Today Jeep and I hit the Grist Mill Trail, parts (or perhaps all) of which I had covered through a few previous jaunts but definitely wanted to revisit.

L&R: Ignoring the visitors center, we headed west along the paved road just north of the bank.  After a few steps we decided to temporarily trade the easy route for a slightly wooded path.  Eventually we hit Lost Pond, at which point the Grist Mill Trail proper appeared (right).  We followed the even footpath all the way to Ilchester Road, passing various tunnels and  side trails as well as the swinging footbridge, Bloedes Dam, and, unbeknownst to us at the time, the Patterson Viaduct.  (Jeep suggested we bring the park map, just in case, but I wrongly shooed this suggestion away.)

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What a beautiful park.

More to follow later, including L&R and self-promises to return.

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L&R: Parked at the Hyattstown Mill parking area, and headed east along Hyattstown Mill Road until we hit the Western Piedmont Trail.  Continuing east, the Dark Branch Trail eventually snaked in from our left.  Turning right too soon, we found ourselves askew and ended up at Frederick Road/MD-355.  We backtracked and found our intended target, the Bennett Ridge Trail.  Keeping as far east as possible, we eventually hit the Woodcock Hollow Trail and the Antler Ridge Trail, following the latter to the Whitetail Trail.  Civilization soon reared its ugly head as we hit a series of camping loops and car sites.  The Nature Trail presented itself, and we followed that to the Hawk’s Reach Activity Center, where we stopped for lunch.  Watered and fed, we headed north on the Big Oak Trail until we came across the Stoney Brook Trail, which we also took north.  Passing turnoffs for the Beaver Valley and Mound Builder trails, we forded a few wet patches and found ourselves back on the Western Piedmont Trail, this time heading northwest.  We resisted the temptation of the Pine Grove Trail and headed back across Little Bennett Creek, soon arriving back to our car.  Fun for all.  Mileage to be estimated later.

On our way to see the Hershey Bears, we made quick jaunt to Wildwood Park within Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.  Lenny would be proud.

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[50/eastern pa]

KP and I hit the woods this past weekend, Oregon Ridge Park, our old familiar stomping grounds from the rowing club softball outing back in August. This was my first trip into the woods since May, when I hit a random park in central Maryland.

We were out there for a mere two hours, bringing only a few snacks and one Nalgene of water between us, but I can barely wait six days, let alone another six months, before we head back out. The cold weather is perfect for shorter, harder hikes, the kind H&M used to break me in.

I have too may of these 50 Hikes … books to be spending weekend time a-resting. Western Maryland, northern Virginia, and straight up West Virginia … and southern/eastern Pennsylvania … need to be trod!

Today, I put boots to Little Bennett Regional Park out in Montgomery County.

This being a retro post, my notes are askew, but using the accompanying photo gallery, I gathered that I parked at the Kingsley Parking Area along Clarksburg Road/MD-121, and headed east along the titular Kingsley Trail.  After fording a small creek, I made a wrong turn, eventually continuing east on the Froggy Hollow Trail before realizing my mistake when the trail ended at Burnt Hill Road.  Doubling back, I passed the site of successful fording and continued west on the Froggy Hollow Trail until its intersection with Stoney Brook Trail. Turning left, and now heading south, I found myself in the vicinity of the Hawk’s Reach Activity Center (shown above). The flat ground and comfortable benches made for a good lunch spot.

Properly satiated, I took some of the paved park roads to the Bennett Ridge Trail and headed north.  Passing the Owl Ridge spur, I headed east on the Pine Grove Trail, crossing Little Bennett Creek via a small but fun bridge (shown at left).  This trail took me to the horse parking near Prescott Road, after which I headed back into the park along the Timber Ridge Trail.  Eventually, the Tobacco Barn Trail snaked in from the left, after which, I took to the Browning Run Trail heading east, then headed south along the Pine Knob Trail, then hung a sharp right onto the Logger’s Trail back toward the parking area.

Putting together a crude map with rough estimates, this foot travel covered 6 or 7 miles.  Great fun was had.