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November: Patapsco State Park

On an unusually warm Saturday in November, 7 1/2 lively Sierrans and two adventurous pups hit the trail at Patapsco State Park. Our six mile hike included several stream crossings, an encounter with a friendly horse, and lunch beneath the calming hum of the power lines. It felt good to get out of the city and hike with friends while chatting over the crunch of fallen leaves.

October: Camping at Hermitage Cabin

In October 2012, a group of Sierrans spent the weekend at the rustic Hermitage Cabin, maintained by the Patomac Appalachan Trail Club, in Michaux State Forest in Pennsylvania. The weather was sunny and crisp on Saturday for beautiful views of fall colors during our hike to Chimney Rocks on Saturday.

September: Elk Neck State Park

A small group of Baltimore Outdoor Sierrans made the trip to the gem of Cecil County, Elk Neck State Park, for a moderate 7 miles hike. The weather was absolutely fall-perfect, paw paw fruit covered some sections of the trail, while others were blanketed with early fall leaves, the view from the White Clay Cliffs was spectacular as usual and we were treated with a huge flush of jack o' lantern mushrooms (one of only a few species that emit FoxFire) near the end of the hike. It was a great outing.

August: tubing on the Potomac

Once participants in numerous Outdoor Sierrans carpools were finally able to convene at the hectic headquarters of Harpers Ferry Adventure Center, about 20 Sierrans got tubes and life jackets and boarded a repurposed school bus headed for the Potomac. The beautiful weather brought out many other visitors as well to this very scenic section of the river, which offered a leisurely ride for a whitewater tubing area.

July: Hemnlock Gorge

The rainy July morning kept most of participants away except a group of 4 who decided to forge ahead and explore Hemlock Gorge in Northern Baltimore County. We four were well rewarded to a beautiful 6 mile hike when the sunshine broke at our arrival to the trail head. A combination of wood, field, and rocky trails wound a figure 8 along the Gunpowder River where we had a chance to do some wading and stop for lunch on a rocky outcrop.

June: Habitat For Humanity

May: B&A Bike Ride

On Saturday May 13th, a group enjoyed perfect weather for our first bike trip (last year's attempt was thwarted by rain) down the B and A trail, a paved rail trail that begins in Glen Burnie and ends outside of Annapolis. We rode through downtown Annapolis to Davis' Pub (which claims to be a green establishment and has rain barrells!) for lunch , then back for a total of about 38 miles. Next up on two wheels - Tour dem Parks in June!

April

March: Patapsco State Park’s McKeldin Area

A group of twelve people (including two very little ones) and two dogs took advantage of one of our sunny early spring days to hike Patapsco State Park’s McKeldin Area. We were happy to be joined by three people who were new to BOS hikes. The trail followed the rippling Patapsco River and included views of rapids and a waterfall. We set a leisurely pace and completed the roughly four mile hike in about two and a half hours.

February: Soldiers Delight

Wintery weather deterred some of the intended hikers, and a couple others were late and never met up with the group, but four of us (and Tupelo) completed a slightly chilly but pleasant 6-mile loop around Soldiers Delight under overcast skies and light snow. Jason found some stickers for a kayaking group on the ground, and later we ran into the people who had dropped them, who took our group photo for us. We got to take a look at the old chromium mine and the serpentine grasslands.

January: Robert E. Lee Park and Roland Lake Park

A dozen brave and rugged souls made it out to Robert E. Lee Park and Roland Lake Park for a swift January adventure. A 6 mile hike in the 30 degree weather, exploring the simple beauty that only Baltimore, in the winter, can provide and only further proving that a quick drive in the city can bring great and immediate natural rewards. Thank you for everyone who came out and look forward to seeing you, as well as others, at our next outing.