Howard County Group - Outings

Outings: Get online directions to our meeting places. And take a look at our photo gallery to see pictures from previous outings. For outings by other groups, see the Maryland Chapter calendar and the Sierra Club Potomac Region Outings (PRO, formerly MWROP). 2010 Sat. Feb. 6: Gunpowder Falls - Hereford. Canceled due to weather. Sat. Feb. 6: Introduction to 3-Season Backpacking Seminar. Postponed to March 13 due to weather. Sat. Feb. 13: Patapsco Valley State Park, Hilton Area. Moderate 7 mile hike. Bring lunch and water. Meet at 10:00 at the parking lot behind the Hilton Area Nature Center, just inside the Hilton Avenue entrance on the right. Call James Perschy, 410-964-1902, jameshike@verizon.net. Sat. Feb. 20: Weverton Cliffs, MD. Moderate 12 mile hike along the Appalachian Trail from Gathland State Park to Weverton Cliffs and return. 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. Sat. Feb. 27: Piney Ridge-Piney Branch Loop, SNP, VA. Moderate 9 mile circuit with 1700 feet elevation gain and some stream crossings. Bring lunch, water and good boots. 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. Mar. 6: Pond Run-White Rocks Circuit, Great North Mountain, GWNF, WV. Strenuous 11.6 mile circuit with two great views. 2300 feet elevation gain. Bring lunch, water and good boots. 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. Mar. 7: Oregon Ridge Pancake Hike. Easy 5 mile hike, with some hills and stream crossings, optionally followed by pancakes. The park demonstrates the boiling down of maple syrup, and has a fundraising pancake breakfast for $6.00. Depart at 8:30 from Long Gate Parkway Park & Ride, off Rt. 100, just east of Rt. 29. Or meet us in the parking lot by the Oregon Ridge Lodge at 9:10. Call Ken Clark, 301-725-3306, kenclark7@comcast.net. Sat. Mar. 13: Introduction to 3-Season Backpacking Seminar. Oregon Ridge Nature Center, 10:00 to 1:00. Presentation includes tips on preparation and gear selection, hazards of the trail, and leave-no-trace. Bring snacks and drinks. Pre-registration requested but not required. Co-leaders: Mike Juskelis, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com, 410-439-4964 and Betty Steil, blsteil@verizon.net, 443-745-3041. Sat. Mar. 20: Jones Mountain-Staunton River Loop, SNP, VA. Strenuous 13 mile circuit with 2400 feet elevation gain and some stream crossings. Some nice views, rock gardens and cascades. Bring lunch, water and good boots. 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. Mar. 27: Bucktail Trail-Halfmoon Lookout, Great North Mountain, GWNF, VA. 10 mile moderate loop with some steep rocky sections and stream crossings. 2000 feet elevation gain. 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.-Mon. April 10-12: Tracy Ridge Backpack, ANF, PA. Moderate 24 mile backpack with views of the Allegheny Reservoir and 4500 feet of elevation gain. Approximate daily mileage:7/13/4. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. April 24-26: Triple Crown of VA Backpack. Strenuous 24 mile shuttle backpack on the AT with great views from McAfee Knob, Tinker Cliffs and Hay Rock Overlook. Average daily mileage approximately 8.0 miles. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Sun. May 8-9: Ramsey's Draft Backpack, GWNF, VA. Strenuous 17 mile circuit backpack with several stream crossings and 3100 feet of elevation gain. Beautiful stream and still some magnificent old hemlocks left to see. Suitable for experienced hikers who want to try backpacking. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Tue. May 15-18: Rickett's Glenn Car Camping, PA. First hike will be an 8 mile circuit through State Game Lands 13 to explore seldom seen waterfalls. Some "waterwhacking" involved. The second hike will be a 9 mile loop inside the park visiting many of the falls in the glen. Campsite reservation required. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. May 29-31: Cranberry Backcountry Backpack, MNF, WV. Moderate 26 mile circuit in this under-utilized hiking venue featuring a circumnavigation of Cranberry Glades. Daily mileage: 8/12/6. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Wed. June 26-30: Mount Rogers N.R.A. Car Camping, VA. Camp at Grindstone Campground. Hike the Iron Mountains. The first hike will be The Iron Mountain Loop. It is a strenuous 14 mile circuit with 3400 feet of elevation gain starting at Beartree Lake and features vistas, streams and Rhododendron tunnels. The second hike will be the 12 mile Rowlands Creek Loop with 2430 feet elevation gain featuring several waterfalls, a couple over 100 feet in height, and some views. The third hike is another waterfall hike, 9.0 mile Comers Creek Loop, with 1850 feet of elevation gain. (The leader reserves the right to substitute any of the above with a shorter, easier hike starting from camp.) Sign up for all or part of the trip. Campsite reservation required. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. July 10-12: Cranberry Wilderness Backpack, MNF, WV. 18 miles total. Hike in 5 miles and set up camp at Big Beechy Falls. On the second day we'll climb steeply up to the plateau, hiking about 10 miles. Extra water will be required for that day. The final day will be an easy 3 miles back to the cars. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Tue. July 24-27: Blue Knob State Park, PA Car Camping. The first hike will be a moderate 10 mile circuit inside the park. The second hike will be a 12 mile easy to moderate loop on the John B. Saylor Trail. Campsite reservation required. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. Aug. 7-9: Mid-State Trail Backpack, State College, PA. Backpack in 6 miles through designated wild and natural areas and set up a base camp. Day 2, moderate 12 mile circuit hike, visiting the Bear Meadow Natural Area (a highland bog), Shingletown Gap, the Tom Thwaites Memorial and views from Little Flats and Thick Mountain. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. Aug. 28-30: Mid-State Trail Backpack, PA (Raymond B. Winter SP/Hook Natural Area Loop). Strenuous 21 mile backpack. Daily mileage approximately 5/11/5. The Hook is the only complete watershed preserved as such in the Natural Areas program. Hike along Buffalo Run under a canopy of 100-year-old black, red, white, scarlet and chestnut oaks; yellow, white and black birch; white pine; and red maple. Some very steep climbs on the first and third days. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. Sept. 4-6: Roaring Plains Backpack, MNF, WV. Backpack in 2.5 miles an set up a base camp at the Hidden Passage. Day 2, strenuous 12-14 mile day hike along the canyon rim. Lots of boulder fields and fantastic views. Day 3, Backpack out the way we came in. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Tue. Sept. 18-21: Lake Sherwood Car Camping, MNF, WV. The first hike (11 miles/moderate) will start at the campground and will follow the eastern shore of the lake and the western ridge of the valley. A short drive will be required to set up an 11 mile, moderate shuttle hike through the newly proclaimed Big Draft Wilderness Area featuring the beautiful Anthony Creek. Campsites are first come, first serve. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. Oct. 2-4: Blackwell to Little Piney SP Mid-State Trail Backpack. A classic backpack along this trail. Strenuous 25 mile shuttle with 5000 feet of elevation gain. Approximate daily mileage: 8/9/8. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. Oct. 9 to 11: Cooper's Rock State Forest Backpack, WV. Car Camping and Day Hiking. As of now this is a three day trip with an 8 mile circuit hike within the park to visit the Cheat River and a vista. It is possible this will be extended an extra day if more good hiking is close by. Campsite reservation is required. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. Sat.-Mon. Oct. 23 to 25: Mid-State Trail Backpack, Iron Stone Loop, PA. 20 mile strenuous backpack. Daily mileage: 5/10/5. Rugged hike beginning at the Stone Valley Recreation Area with lots of views from Tussey Mountain on the second day. Pre-register with Mike Juskelis, 410-439-4964, mjuskelis@cablespeed.com. The Howard County Sierra Club group does not charge any fee for leading outings, but some outings do require unspecified park entrance fees or rental fees for items such as canoes or inner tubes. Participants on Sierra Club outings must sign a liability waiver. The Club encourages outings participants to carpool to the trailhead, but such travel is at the participants discretion, and risk. Outings normally begin at the trailhead.