The outings schedule will be updated monthly.

Important information for all outings participants. Advance registration NOT required unless requested in hike description.

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Baltimore Inner City Outings

Founded in 1999, BICO provides under-served Baltimore City youth with educational, enjoyable, safe, cost-free outdoor experiences. Since start-up, BICO has conducted more than 200 outings ranging from nature hikes and camping to community service for Baltimore’s Recreation & Parks Dept. BICO welcomes new volunteers. For more information, please visit the BICO website. Contact BICO at: baltimoreinnercityoutings@gmail.com

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WANTED: Hike leaders for the Greater Baltimore Group. No experience needed. We will provide training. Have fun, enjoy the outdoors and help others to do the same. Call Jack at 410-256-3963.
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JUNE

Thurs. June 25 GB – Easy. Outings Planning Meeting
New and prospective outings leaders are welcome to attend the next quarterly meeting of the Greater Baltimore Group’s Outings Committee. Come plan new outings and meet other outings leaders. If you're interested in leading outings and are curious about what is involved, come and talk with the outings leaders. The meeting will be held at the Panera Bread restaurant in Timonium, beginning with dinner and socialization at 6:30 PM in a quiet corner and the meeting to follow at 7:00. From I-83 north, take exit 16 Timonium Rd. east, turn left on York Rd., and turn right at the next light for the Timonium Center across from the State Fairgrounds. For more information, call Bette at 410-666-2696.

Sun. June 28 GB - Moderate. Gunpowder River Tube Trip.
Bring a tube or rent one at the Monkton Station. Have a way of keeping your keys in your pocket, such as a safety pin or zipper jacket. Wear sun screen and bring water. Meet at the Monkton Station and the NCR Trail at 1:00 p.m. The Monkton Station is on Monkton Road about a mile or two off of York Road. For details, call Jack at 410-256-3963.


JULY

Sat. July 4 GB – Easy. Celebration and Fireworks in Frederick
Celebrate Independence Day at Baker Park in Frederick, MD. Enjoy the sounds of a variety of bands, including well-known classic rock and country entertainers, as well as local musical talent, big band, and patriotic music. Have a picnic in the park, play volleyball, hike along Carroll Creek, and explore historic downtown Frederick. Finally, experience one of the biggest and best fireworks displays on the East Coast. Plus, as appropriate for this day, it's FREE! We will meet at 1:00 PM at the Lutherville light rail station on Ridgely Road. Contact Paul at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children OK with prior approval. Website: www.cityoffrederick.com/departments/SpecialEvents/july.htm

Sun. July 19 GB – Moderate. Kayaking at Rocky Point Park
Kayak from this waterfront park to Hart Miller Island, a short paddle across in the Chesapeake Bay. Learn about and see Hart Miller (built from dredge spoil), which is a favorite hangout for boaters and has a campground, observation tower, sandy swimming beaches, waterfowl, and floating vendors. Meet at 10 AM at the boat launch in the far end of Rocky Point Park past the beach area. Bring your own kayak. It is required to wear a life jacket. There is an admission fee to the park, which has a sandy beach, grassy shaded area with picnic tables and playground, sailboat rentals, and a marshy area with a fishing pier. The park is reached from Rt. 702 and Back River Neck Rd. from the Baltimore Beltway 695 east. Kayaking is weather-dependent—no threat of thunderstorms and no high waves on the Bay. For details, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com


AUGUST

Sat. Aug. 8 Full Moon Hayride and Farm Tour.
Cost will be $10.00 per person. We will meet at 7:00 PM at the church parking lot on Seminary Ave at Dulaney Valley Road 1/2 mile north of I695. Tractor-pulled hayride starts at 7:30 PM at Yoder's Land of Promise Farm in Long Green. We will hopefully see the full moon. After the hayride we will have refreshments of soda, cider, hot dogs, and marshmallows around a bonfire, with guitar music and singalong. Extra instruments invited! Activity will end about 10:00 PM. If less than 8 people sign up, we will just meet as scheduled and go to dinner nearby. For more information and reservations call Paul at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children OK with prior approval.

Sun. Aug. 9 GB – Easy. Kayaking and Camping at Codorus State Park
Kayak around the 1,275-acre Lake Marburg at Codorus State Park, just across the State line in Pennsylvania. We will swim along the shoreline, and have lunch on an island. Meet at 11 AM at the park office/visitor center, to purchase a Pennsylvania 2009 boat launch permit for a small fee. Bring your own kayak. It is required to wear a life jacket. Kayaking is weather-dependent—no threat of thunderstorms. There is no admission fee to the park which has many activities and facilities--several boat launches, a campground with 190 sites, cottages and yurts, trails, picnic grounds, playgrounds, swimming pool. The park is reached from Rt. 30, becoming Rt. 94 at the State line. Follow the signs for Codorus State Park and before reaching Hanover turn right at a stoplight for Grandview Rd. and then right at Rt. 216. Before the first bridge, turn left and then another left to go to the park office/visitor center. (From I-83, take Exit 8. Go 18 miles west on Rt. 216 to the park. After crossing the lake, turn right and then left to the park office/visitor center.) If you want to camp at the park that weekend (which includes dog-friendly sites), make a reservation at www.visitPAparks.com or 1-888-PA-PARKS (727-2757), or take your chances without a reservation. For details, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com

Wed. Aug. 12 GB – Easy. Loch Raven Evening Hike and Star Party (children and dogs welcome)
Come just for the hike, just for the star party, or both! The hike will be 3 miles to a scenic overlook above the Loch Reservoir. After sunset we will gather on the shore to watch the Perseid meteor shower, usually the best meteors of the year. Bring something to sit on (such as a folding chair) and refreshments if you like. Meet at 6:30 PM at Loch Raven Drive and Morgan Mill Rd. for the hike. For the meteors we will set up one-half mile south on the lawn near the “island” in the reservoir. Hike will still take place if cloudy, but cancelled for steady rain. For more details, call Alan at 443-212-5082 or email apenczek@stevenson.edu.

Fri. Aug. 21 – Sun. Aug. 23 GB – Easy. Camping and Williamsport C&O Canal Days outing near Hagerstown, MD.
http://williamsportmd.gov/williamsportdays.htm. We will leave the Baltimore area about 4:00 PM Friday evening and stay in a Kabin at the Williamsport Snug Harbor KOA Friday and Saturday (approx $20/night). Carpooling is encouraged, and alternate arrangements may be made among participants. We will discuss the history of Williamsport and the C&O Canal. Saturday morning is a good opportunity to visit the nearby outlet stores: http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/hagerstown.aspx, including LL Bean and Timberland. There will be yard sales and booths at the park, and live entertainment Saturday night. Sunday we may take a 2-3 mile easy hike on the C&O canal, and possibly also visit historical sites in Harpers Ferry and go to their famous Flea Market http://www.harpersferryfleamkt.com/. For more information and reservations, contact Paul (preferably two weeks ahead) at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children and pets OK with prior approval.


SEPTEMBER

Sat. Sept. 12 GB – Moderate. Stony Run Trail Hike (Older children and dogs are welcome)
5˝ miles along the Stony Run stream through Baltimore neighborhoods including Hampton and Roland Park and through Wyman Park. The trail is well-maintained, mostly flat and shaded, with scenery ranging from jungle to manicured parks. Go underneath several bridges decorated with graffiti. Learn about and see first-hand the results of extensive stream restoration by Baltimore City (which may still be in process) and the planting of native trees by the Jones Falls Watershed Association and other volunteers. Children under 18 must be able to hike this distance and be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Dogs must be friendly. Optional lunch afterwards. Meet at 10 AM and park on either side of Wyman Park Drive beside the ex-Stieff Silver and the Boy Scouts headquarters, or in the parking lot on the left with the Jones Falls Trail sign. From 28nd or 29th Street just east of I-83 Jones Falls Expressway, turn north onto Keswick Rd./Sisson St. and then take the first left onto Wyman Park Drive. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Wed. Sept. 16 GB – Easy. Potluck Dinner and Talk (all are welcome)
Ever wonder what kind of rock that is? Well, come to Oregon Ridge Nature Center and find out. We have a naturalist from the Maryland Geological Survey to do a talk, with slides, on geology. Prior to the talk will be a potluck and social hour. Bring a sweet or savory dish to share along with serving utensils. We provide coffee and tea. The potluck and social hour starts at 6:30 pm with the talk commencing around 7:30 pm. So turn off the TV, PC, VCR, DVD, TiVo, Ipod, MP3, Xbox, Wii, Bluetooth, Blackberry and anything else with a battery or wire and meet at Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 13555 Beaver Dam Road, from 6:30 to 9 PM. Meet new people, try different foods and maybe even learn something. The Nature Center can be reached from the Shawan Road West exit (#20B) from I83. Take Shawan Road to the traffic light at Beaver Dam, make a left, then follow the right fork in the road to the parking lot. Call Joyce, 410 254 7240, if you need further details.

Fri. Sept. 18 GB – Easy. Happy Hour and Social.
Members and non-members are invited to meet 6 – 8 PM for socialization, happy hour, and dinner at a location to be determined. For details, contact Paul at 410-667-4889 or pstech@smart.net

Sun. Sept. 20 GB – Easy. Woofstock Festival in Harrisburg. 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
"Paws" for a day with your dog (or enjoy other peoples' pets) at Riverfront Park in Harrisburg by the scenic Susquehanna River. There will be lots of tie-dyed clothing, groovy music, food, and Victoria Stilwell as featured guest (from "It's Me or the Dog" and "Great American Dog"). Free admission. Check the website at: http://www.cpaawoofstock.com/. We will carpool from the Towson area at 10:00 AM. For details, contact Paul at 410-667-4889 or pstech@smart.net


OCTOBER

Saturday, Oct 3 Full Moon Hayride and Farm Tour.
Cost will be $10.00 per person. We will meet at 7:00 PM at the church parking lot on Seminary Ave at Dulaney Valley Road 1/2 mile north of I695. Tractor-pulled hayride starts at 7:30 PM at Yoder's Land of Promise Farm in Long Green. We will hopefully see the full moon. After the hayride we will have refreshments of cocoa, spiced cider, hot dogs, and marshmallows around a bonfire, with guitar music and singalong. Extra instruments invited! Activity will end about 10:00 PM. If less than 8 people sign up, we will just meet as scheduled and go to dinner nearby. For more information and reservations call Paul at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children OK with prior approval.

Sun. Oct. 4 GB – Easy. Invasive Vine Removal on Prettyboy Fireroad (Older children are welcome)
Give 2 hours of your time to cut invasive vines choking trees in the Prettyboy watershed. Some tools are available, or bring your own. Wear long pants and long sleeves. Meet at 9:30 AM at the Mt. Carmel Rd. Park and Ride just west off I-83 north of the Baltimore Beltway and past the Shawan Rd. exit. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Sun. Oct. 4 GB – Moderate. Prettyboy Trail Hike (Older children and dogs are welcome)
7 miles along the shoreline and through forests around Prettyboy Reservoir on the old Prettyboy Trail. This will be a shuttle between George’s Creek and the Tracey Store Rd. parking for the CCC trails. The trail is maintained by the GB Sierra Club in collaboration with the Prettyboy Watershed Alliance and the Mountain Club of Maryland. Learn about the wildlife and enjoy the pristine water along this isolated trail. The trail is cleared to varying degrees and has some hills and steam crossings. Children under 18 must be able to hike this distance and be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Dogs must be friendly. Meet at 1:00 PM at the Mt. Carmel Rd. Park and Ride just west off I-83 north of the Baltimore Beltway and past the Shawan Rd. exit. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Sat. & Sun. Oct. 31 & Nov. 1 GB - Moderate. Car Camping at Caledonia State Park in PA
Camping and day hiking exploring lakes and streams in the Michaux State Forest in southern Pennsylvania. We will hike parts of the Appalachian Trail with some good views. Call Jack for details at 410-256-3963.


NOVEMBER

Sun. Nov. 8 GB - Moderate. Kelly Run & Pinnacle Overlook Hike
8 miles exploring gorges with great overlook of the Susquehanna River. This hike also has a good chance of seeing migrating waterfowl and bald eagles. Meet at 11:00 AM at the K-Mart on Rt. 1 (Bel Air Rd.) just north of the Baltimore Beltway Exit 32. Call Jack for details at 410-256-3963.

Sat. Nov. 14 GB – Easy. Invasive Vine Removal on Glen Ellen Trail (Older children are welcome)
Give 2 hours of your time to cut invasive vines choking trees along fireroads and trails in the Loch Raven watershed. Some tools are available, or bring your own. Wear long pants and long sleeves. Meet at 10:00 AM where you can park on Seminary Ave. just past the light to the left off Dulaney Valley Rd., north of the Baltimore Beltway. For information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Sat. Nov. 14 GB – Moderate. Glen Ellen – Seminary Trail Hike (Dogs and older children are welcome)
6 mile hike around coves bordering Loch Raven Reservoir, along streams, and through woodlands, walking along relatively flat paths and a fire road. Learn about this diverse habitat, including invasive vines creating meadows by snapping off trees. Children under 18 must be able to hike this distance and be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Dogs must be friendly. Meet at 1:00 PM where you can park on Seminary Ave. just past the light to the left off Dulaney Valley Rd., north of the Baltimore Beltway. For information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Saturday, Nov 28 Full Moon Hayride and Farm Tour. (Alt Date)
Cost will be $10.00 per person. We will meet at 7:00 PM at the church parking lot on Seminary Ave at Dulaney Valley Road 1/2 mile north of I695. Tractor-pulled hayride starts at 7:30 PM at Yoder's Land of Promise Farm in Long Green. We will hopefully see the full moon. After the hayride we will have refreshments of cocoa, spiced cider, hot dogs, and marshmallows around a bonfire, with guitar music and singalong. Extra instruments invited! Activity will end about 10:00 PM. If less than 8 people sign up, we will just meet as scheduled and go to dinner nearby. For more information and reservations call Paul at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children OK with prior approval.


DECEMBER

Fri. Dec 4 - Sun. Dec 6 GB – Easy. Camping and Historical outing in Harpers Ferry, WV.
We will leave the Baltimore area about 4:00 PM Friday evening and stay in a Kabin at the Harpers Ferry KOA http://www.koa.com/where/wv/48107/ Friday and Saturday. Carpooling is encouraged, and alternate arrangements may be made among participants. We will discuss the history of Harpers Ferry and the Civil War Battle of Antietam. Saturday morning is a good opportunity to visit the nearby outlet stores: http://www.primeoutlets.com/locations/hagerstown.aspx, including LL Bean and Timberland. Saturday evening we will take a short drive to Antietam to experience the annual illumination http://www.nps.gov/anti/planyourvisit/luminary.htm. Sunday we will take a 3-5 mile easy hike on part of the Appalachian Trail and the C&O canal, and visit historical sites in Harpers Ferry. For more information and reservations, contact Paul (preferably two weeks ahead) at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net. Children and pets OK with prior approval.

Sun. Dec. 6 GB – Moderate. Gunpowder River Hike
8 miles along the Gunpowder River in the Hereford area. Meet at the Shawan Rd. park and ride off I-83 north of the Baltimore Beltway at 11:00 AM. For details, call Jack at 410-256-3963.

Sat. Dec. 12 GB – Easy/Moderate. Holiday Hike through Hampden and on Jones Falls Trail through Druid Hill Park (Older children are welcome)
4 miles on mostly flat paved trail and sidewalks beginning with a stroll around Druid Lake on a ridge overlooking the City. Visit the glass house of the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, decorated with poinsettias for the holidays. Continue through the Druid Hill Park on the new Jones Falls Trail into the yuppified Woodberry and Clipper Mill area. Walk through Hampden, past fascinating shops decorated for the holidays. Lunch stop at an eccentric area restaurant. Finish by walking down the famous Miracle on 34th Street, with its to-be-seen decorations, then past the old mill houses in Stone Hill back to our cars. Children under 18 must be able to hike this distance and be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Meet at 11 AM and park on either side of Wyman Park Drive beside the ex-Stieff Silver and the Boy Scouts headquarters, or in the parking lot on the left with the Jones Falls Trail sign. From 28nd or 29th Street just east of the Jones Falls Expressway, turn north onto Keswick Rd./Sisson St. and then take the first left onto Wyman Park Drive. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.