Maryland Chapter Calendar of Events

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For additional outings and events, also see:
Anne Arundel County Outings
Greater Baltimore Group Outings
Howard County Outings
Montgomery County Outings
Metropolitan Washington Regional Outings Program
Baltimore Inner City Outings
Catoctin Group (Carroll, Frederick, and Washington Counties)

Sierra Club Maryland Chapter:

Outings Calendar

Every First Sunday of the month:  Invasive Plant Removal at Ruth B. Swann Park/Potomac Branch Library.

OCTOBER 2009

Thurs. Oct. 1 GB - Easy. Outings Planning Meeting  New and prospective outings leaders are welcome to attend the 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.

Fri.-Sun. Oct. 2-4: Maryland Chapter Jamboree. Meet other Sierra Club members at this big gathering at Elks Camp Barrett in Crownsville, MD. Sign up at http://maryland.sierraclub.org, or using the form in your Chesapeake newsletter.

Sat. Oct. 3 HC: Harpers Ferry. Strenuous 9 or 11 mile hike through 3 states, with spectacular overlooks of historic Harpers Ferry at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Follow the C&O canal, walk through town, and ascend to Maryland Heights, Loudoun Heights, Split Rocks, and Jefferson Rocks. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Bagel Bin off Rt. 40 in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, for an 8:30 departure. Call Tim Ryan before 9:30 PM, 410-248-2974, timothy_ryan@urscorp.com.

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. Oct. 10 HC: Sugarloaf Mountain, MD. Moderate 8 mile hike featuring rocky outcrops with sweeping views. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Bagel Bin off Rt. 40 in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, for a 9:00 departure. Call James Perschy, 410-964-1902, jameshike@verizon.net.

Sat.-Mon. Oct. 10-12 HC: Chuck Keiper Trail Backpack, PA. 30 mile strenuous hike with steep ascents and descents. Daily mileage 10/10/10 depending on campsite and water availability. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

Sat. Oct. 17 HC: Great Falls Billy Goat Trail, MD. Moderate 8-9 mile hike on trails near the Potomac River, with short rock scrambles on the Billy Goat Trail. Enjoy dramatic scenery and observe wildlife. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 8:30 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Call Ken Clark, 301-725-3306, kenclark7@comcast.net.

Sat. Oct. 24 HC: Catoctin Mountain Park, MD. Moderate 9 mile hike, visiting Cunningham Falls, Wolf Rock and Chimney Rock. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Bagel Bin off Rt. 40 in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, for an 8:30 departure. Call James Perschy, 410-964-1902, jameshike@verizon.net.

Sat.-Tue. Oct. 24-27 HC: Douthat State Park Car Camping, VA. Camp in the oldest park in the Old Dominion. Hikes are moderate to strenuous, ranging from 7 to 10 miles. Lots of views. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

Sat. Oct. 31 HC: Little Devils Stairs, VA. Strenuous 8 mile hike in Shenandoah NP, rough and steep at times, with numerous stream crossings. Look for walking stick bugs and other wildlife. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 7:30 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Call Ken Clark, 301-725-3306, kenclark7@comcast.net.

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 2009

Sat. Nov. 7 HC: Seneca Creek Greenway - Black Rock Mill, MD. Easy 7.5 miles, out-and-back from Black Rock Mill to Riffle Ford Road. Enjoy this beautiful and quiet section of Seneca Creek Greenway. Lots of birds and evidence of other wildlife. Move from forest area to open streams. May be muddy along stream. Depart at 8:30 from the park & ride at the Clarksville Fire Department on Rt. 108 at Rt. 32. Contact Betty Steil, 443-745-3041, blsteil@verizon.net.

Sun. Nov. 8 HC: Old Rag Mountain, VA. Strenuous 9 mile hike featuring boulders, some scrambling, and great views. Bring lunch, water. Depart at 7:00 (to avoid the worst of the crowds) from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Call Ken Clark, 301-725-3306, kenclark7@comcast.net.

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

Sat. Nov. 14 HC: Liberty Reservoir - Piney Point, MD. Easy 6.3 miles through hardwood and pine forests but with several stream crossings. Bring lunch and water. Depart at 8:00 from the park & ride just north of I-70 on Rt. 32. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

Sun. Nov. 15 HC: Patapsco - Rockburn Branch, MD. Moderate 7-8 mile hike with several steam crossings, following the Patapsco River on the Valley View Trail. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 10:00 in Rockburn Branch Park, the entrance off Landing Road one mile north of Montgomery Road; park in the lot at the end of the road under the power lines. Call James Perschy, 410-964-1902, jameshike@verizon.net.

Sat. Nov. 21 HC: Gunpowder - Sweet Air Area, MD. Easy 7 mile loop through pines, hardwoods, around a pond and along pretty Little Gunpowder River. Depart at 8:00 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

Sun. Nov. 22 HC: Savage Park, Wincopin Trail, MD. Moderate 4 or 7 mile hike along the Middle and Little Patuxent Rivers, easy except for a few hills and rocky parts. Stop after 4 miles, or continue an extra 3 with a lunch stop at the rapids near Savage Mill. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 9:30 at Patuxent Valley Middle School, off Vollmerhausen Road just west of Savage Guilford Rd. Call Ken Clark, 301-725-3306, kenclark7@comcast.net.

Fri. Nov. 27 HC: Gunpowder - Sweathouse Branch / Pot Rocks, MD. Moderate 5 or 10 mile hike, do all or half. Some stream crossings. Visit the Sweathouse Branch Wildlands, Saw Mill Run and Pot Rocks. Depart at 8:00 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

Sat. Nov. 28 HC: Patapsco Valley State Park. Moderate 8 mile circuit hike in the Glen Artney/Orange Grove areas of the park, on the Soapstone, Valley View and Vineland Spring Trails. Lunch at the Cascades. Bring lunch and water. Hike starts at 9:30 from the Rolling Road Park & Ride, I-195 @ MD 166. Call Tim Ryan before 9:30 PM, 410-248-2974, timothy_ryan@urscorp.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 paul@peschoen.com. Children OK with prior approval.

DECEMBER 2009

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 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: 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 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 paul@peschoen.com. Children and pets OK with prior approval.

Sat. Dec. 5 HC: Soldiers Delight, MD. Easy 5 mile circuit hike on meandering trails. An interesting geological area varies from one side of Deer Park Road to the other. See Serpentine Rock and evidence of old mining activity. Depart at 9:00 from the park & ride at the Clarksville Fire Department on Rt. 108 at Rt. 32. Contact Betty Steil, 443-745-3041, blsteil@verizon.net.

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

Sat. Dec. 12 HC: Fairhill NRMA, MD. Easy 8 mile circuit hike through woods, open fields and along pretty Big Elk Creek. Depart at 8:00 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

Sat. Dec. 19 HC: Gambrill State Park, MD. Moderate 7 mile hike on wooded trails, with several scenic overlooks. Bring lunch and water. Meet at the Bagel Bin off Rt. 40 in the Enchanted Forest Shopping Center, for a 9:00 departure. Call Tim Ryan before 9:30 PM, 410-248-2974, timothy_ryan@urscorp.com.

Sat. Dec. 26 HC: Greenbelt Park, MD. Easy 8 mile circuit hike in this "urban oasis" through mature hardwood forest. Depart at 8:00 from the west lot of the Broken Land Parkway Park & Ride at Rt. 32. Contact Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com.

Abbreviations Used

Most outings in the Maryland Chapter are run at the group level, with a few chapter and inter-chapter events.  The group originating the outing is identified in parentheses by the leader's name. These and other abbreviations used are listed below:

AA:   Anne Arundel County Group

AMC:  Appalachian Mountain Club

AT:  Appalachian Trail

GB:   Greater Baltimore Group

GWNF: George Washington National Forest

HC:   Howard County Group

MNF:  Monongahela National Forest

MW:  Metropolitan Washington Regional Outings Program (MWROP)

P&R:  Park and Ride (meeting locations)

SNP:   Shenandoah National Park