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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Anytime – Cross Country Skiing
When snow conditions allow, trip to Western Maryland or West Virginia maybe planned. Call Jack for details at 410-256-3963.


JANUARY

Sun. Jan 31 GB – Local Cross Country Skiing
If there is not enough snow for cross country skiing, a day hike will be held. Meet at the K-Mart on Belair Rd. just north of the Baltimore Beltway exit 32 at 11:00 AM. Call Jack at 410-256-3963.


FEBRUARY

Sat. Feb. 6 GB – Easy. Cromwell Valley Park Hike (Children and dogs are welcome)
3 miles through this Baltimore County park that is a working farm with draft horses, woodlands, hilly meadows, streams, old limestone kilns, and a brook bubbling out of the ground. Learn about the invasive plant removals and native plantings. Meet at 10:30 AM in the parking lot beside the house in the park’s Sherwood Farm section on Cromwell Bridge Rd. north from the Baltimore Beltway. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Stay for brunch at Sander’s Corner Restaurant nearby. For information, call Mary at 410-239-4590 or 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Fri. – Mon. Feb. 12-15 GB – Cross Country Skiing in Western Maryland
If there is not enough snow for cross country skiing, moderate day hikes will be held in Western Maryland. Call Jack at 410-256-3963 by January 31 so that plans can be made.

Sat. Feb. 20 GB – Moderate. Patapsco Hike (Older children and dogs are welcome)
About 4 miles through the forests in the Patapsco Watershed. Learn about the flora, fauna, geological, and historical features. Meet at the Rolling Road Park & Ride off I-95 at 11 AM. For more information, call John at 443-739-6439 or Mary at 443-386-0862 or 410-239-4590 (XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com).


MARCH

Sun. Mar. 14 GB – Moderate. Prettyboy Trail Hike (Older children and dogs are welcome)
7 miles along the shoreline and hillsides and through forests around Prettyboy Reservoir on the old Prettyboy Trail, walking a loop between Prettyboy Dam and Tracey Store Rd. The trail is maintained neighbors, Boy Scouts, and the GB Sierra Club in collaboration with the Prettyboy Watershed Alliance and Mountain Club. Learn about this isolated trail and its wildlife and pristine drinking water for Baltimore. The trail is cleared to varying degrees and has hills and one stream crossing. 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 11:00 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.

Sun.Mar. 28 - Moderate. Gunpowder River
6 to 7 miles along the Gunpowder River. Meet at 12:00 noon at the Shawan Road Park ‘n Ride. Call Jack 410-256-3963 for details.

Sunday, March 28 GB - Easy. "Last Sunday Easy Hike"
Meet at 2:00 PM at the Paper Mill Road parking lot for the NCRR trail. Hike at an easy pace on flat paved surface to the Phoenix Rd parking lot and back, which is about 3 miles R/T. Scenic rest stops and historical sites along the route. Dogs, children, and wheelchairs are welcome. We will finish the hike in time to attend the Baltimore Green Forum at MD Presbyterian Church 4:30-6:30. Optional dinner afterward. For details, contact Paul at 410-667-4889 or paul@peschoen.com


APRIL

Sun. April 4 GB – Easy/Moderate. Easter Sunrise Service and Hike at Rocks State Park
Celebrate the true meaning of Easter at a non-denominational Sunrise Service at Rocks State Park in Harford County. It will be followed by fellowship with coffee, cocoa, and donuts, and an easy to moderate hike of about 3-4 miles. We can also have a really good buffet breakfast at the Geneva Farm Golf Course clubhouse nearby (check out http://www.infosports.com/golf/1697902.htm, 410-452-8800. 217 Davis Rd., Street, MD 21154). Children OK with prior approval. Meet at the church parking lot on Seminary Ave. west of Dulaney Valley Rd. just north of the Baltimore Beltway at 5:30 AM. Call Paul at 410-667-4889 or email pstech@smart.net for details.

Sun.Apr. 18 - GB Moderate. Muddy Run
7 to 8 miles along the Muddy Run and the Susquehanna River. This hike does through a very senic gorge with large Hemlock trees. Good chance of seeing bald eagles. Meet at K-Mart on Rt. 1 at Beltway Exit 32 at 11:00 A.M. Call Jack 410-256-3963 for details.

Thurs. April 22 Earth Day – Easy. On Your Own
Celebrate Mother Earth and protect her future! Take a hike, plant a tree or garden, pick up trash, eradicate invasive plants, write a letter, make a call, read an article, lie in the sun, talk to a child.

Thurs. April 22 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 at Oregon Ridge Nature Center. 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 6:15 PM before a potluck social and a slide show beginning at 6:30. For details, see the notice that follows.

Thurs. April 22 GB - Easy. Potluck Social and Talk (All are welcome)
Celebrate spring, gardening, and Earth Day with potluck grub and a learning experience on the native plants of Maryland by Master Gardener Kim Barnes. Potluck social begins around 6:30 at the Oregon Ridge Nature Center. Bring a dish you enjoy and would like to share--sweet or savory, homemade or store-bought--along with a friend or two. We will have plates, napkins, utensils, cold drinks, and hot tea. The talk will follow starting about 7:15 and ending no later than 9 p.m. Open to non-members.
The Nature Center is at 13555 Beaver Dam Road and can be reached from the Shawan Road West exit (#20B) from I-83. Take Shawan Road to the traffic light at Beaver Dam Road, make a left and stay to the right, following the road up to the nature center’s parking lot past the swimming area. The nature center is a short walk uphill. Call Joyce at 410-254-7240 if you need further details.

Sat. April 24 GB – Moderate. Earth Day Stream Cleanup at Double Rock Park (Child-Friendly Outing)
Celebrate Earth Day a few days late by cleaning up trash (bottles, cans, plastic bags, etc.) in and around the stream at this neighborhood park that includes a waterfall and trails through woodlands. Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult. Wear footwear for wading in shallow water. Trash bags and gloves will be provided. Meet at 10 AM in the parking lot at the park’s entrance at the end of Texas Ave. east off Harford Rd. between Taylor Ave. and Putty Hill Ave. in Parkville, Baltimore Co. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Sunday, April 25 GB - Easy. "Last Sunday Easy Hike"
Meet at 2:00 PM at the Paper Mill Road parking lot for the NCRR trail. Hike at an easy pace on flat paved surface to the Phoenix Rd parking lot and back, which is about 3 miles R/T. Scenic rest stops and historical sites along the route. Dogs, children, and wheelchairs are welcome. We will finish the hike in time to attend the Baltimore Green Forum at MD Presbyterian Church 4:30-6:30. Optional dinner afterward. For details, contact Paul at 410-667-4889 or paul@peschoen.com


MAY

Sat. May 15 GB – Moderate. Eden Mill Hike (Child and Dog Friendly Outing)
4-5 mile hike looking for wildlife and wildflowers in woodlands and meadows with some hills along Deer Creek at Eden Mill Nature Center in Pylesville. Afterwards, visit the Nature Center and the Historic Grist Mill Museum to learn about the local history, floral, and fauna. Bring a picnic lunch to eat in the gardens beside the Deer Creek. Meet at 10 AM in the parking lot at the park entrance at 1617 Eden Mill Rd. near the Nature Center. Find out more about this Harford County park at www.edenmill.org. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Sat.&Sun. May 15 & 16 GB - Moderate. Shenandoah National Park Car Camping at Big Meadows
Day hikes along the AT and other side trips to waterfalls. Call Jack 410-256-3963 for details.


JUNE

Sat. June 12 GB – AM Hike and PM Kayak at Piney Run Park (Child and Dog Friendly Outing)
4-5 mile hike through woodlands and along the 300-acre lake at Piney Run Park in Sykesville. For the hike, meet at 10 AM in the parking area beside the Nature Center. Afterwards, visit the extensive Nature Center with natural history exhibits and live animals. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy in this 825-acre Carroll County park. Bring your own kayak or canoe or rent one to explore Piney Run Reservoir, with a couple stops along the shores. For the boating, meet at the boat launch at 2:00 PM. There is a launch fee of $8/boat (paid at the park’s entrance booth). The rental fee is $8/hour or $30 per day. The park is at 30 Martz Rd., just off Rt. 26 or 97 north of I-70. There is an entrance fee of $5/car for Carroll County residents and $10 for others. For more information, contact Mary at 410-239-4590 (home), 443-386-0862 (cell), or email at XxDiTz4LyFxX@aol.com.

Sun. Jun. 27 GB - Gunpowder Tube Trip
Meet at the Monkton Station at 1:00 P.M. Bring a tube or rent one. Wear old shoes or water shoes. Call Jack at 410-256-3963 for more details.