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December: Harper's Ferry

Seven Young Sierrans and one four-legged friend enjoyed a Deja Vu hike on our second annual December trip to Harper's Ferry and trek on the Maryland heights trail. This encore event was so much like last year's outing that Kathy made the same two wrong turns! And thankfully, Jessie made the same two corrections so that we didn't go too far our of out way (thanks, Jessie!). After our climb to the top and back, we enjoyed a brew and a bite at the Secret Six Tavern in town.

November: Pen Mar Trail

Despite ominous weather reports, 8 dauntless Sierrans drove from Baltimore to meet 2 Frederick residents for a 9-mile hike, meeting at scenic, pavilioned Pen Mar Park near the PA/MD border in Washington County. The stalwart Sierrans headed north and completed the entire distance to the Appalachian Trail's Deer Lick Shelter and back in a constant rain ranging from a light drizzle to... a not-so-light drizzle. Amy led this hike with the invaluable co-leadership and organizing of Jason and blaze-interpreting skills of John.

October: Micheaux State Forest

Cabin trip led by Shel.

September: Patapsco State Park

On September 20 Baltimore Young Sierrans celebrated our 4th anniversary as a group with a 4-mile hike through Patapsco State Park and a picnic complete with frisbee games all afternoon.

August: Dolly Sods

Nine Young Sierrans traveled to Dolly Sods in West Virginia for a wonderful weekend of backpacking, camping, hiking, a full moon, campfires, swimming, wading, bear-bag hanging, and marshmallow roasting! Thanks to Jessie and Shel for organizing this trip.

June: Old Rag

Well, we won't say that our Old Rag trip was without adventure. We managed to climb to the top of beautiful Old Rag only to be met by three pretty vicious thunderstorms. There were hundreds of people on the mountain that day - including troups of young boyscouts - but from all that we know, everyone made it down safely. The third thunderstorm was without a lot of lightening, and we were down off the rocks by then and safe, so there was something wonderfully exhilarating about the last 2.5 miles!!

April & May

In April, about ten Young Sierrans gathered at Dionysus for a social on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Then Shel and Lloyd lead several of them on a wildflower trek the next Saturday at Susquehana State Park.

On April 26, Young Sierrans staffed a booth at the Baltimore EcoFestival and enjoyed socializing, listening to Caleb Stine on the music stage, and visiting all the other booths at EcoFest. And 60 new people signed up for our email list!

In May, ten of us (includeing four new people from EcoFestival) gathered at the Zodiac Club for our social, then got up Saturday morning to look out the window and face our weather reality. Sadly, high winds and heavy rains forced us to cancel our bike ride for the day.

March: Urban Hike

The warm spring air and sunshine on our March hike date made Washington, DC feel a bit like a spring paradise. A handful of Young Sierrans visited the National Aboretum, then took off for a stroll through the Smithsonian Mall to the Lincoln Memorial and all the way across the VA state line to the Arlington Cemetary where magnolia trees were in bloom. After we put in about 6 or 7 miles, some of us also joined Sarah for her birthday dinner in Dupont.

February: Great Falls

In February, 50 and 60 degree weather kept us from our planned snow tubing outing, but the winter sights along the Potomac River on the Billy Goat Trail were beautiful. We hiked parts B & C for a total of 6.6 miles. Some of us were itching for a bit more after that, so we hiked up to the Great Falls overlook and back, adding another 2.9 miles to the day's trek. A great workout, beautiful views along the river and C&O Canal, and quality time with friends!

January: Catoctin Mountain Park

Amy lead 11 of us (2 newbees) on a moderately strenuous 5.5-mile hike in Cotoctin State Park. The day's temperature was chilly enough to keep us moving, stopping only briefly from time to time to take in the overlooks and eat snacks. The bare winter trees made for beautiful scenery throughout the hike.