8 Mile Catoctin Mountain Hike

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

In preparation for our winter vacation in New Hampshire we headed out to the Catoctin Mountains near Thurmont, Maryland. Catoctin Mountain National Park is home to the Presidents retreat; Camp David.

http://www.nps.gov/CATO/index.htm

Our loop hike started at the visitor’s center and would parallel Route 77 for one mile until it reached the junction to the Chimney Rock trailhead. Another 1.1 miles of steep rocky trail and we reached Chimney Rock (1,419 ft.).

As you can see in the photo the skies were cloudy but visibility was several miles; a hint of snow was in the air. After a short stay we proceeded to our next target; Wolf Rock (1,401 ft.).

Here’s a picture of the “Wolf Rock”.

The trail crosses atop a rocky plateau with many crevices.

Just a half mile past Wolf Rock we encountered this snowy scene. This section has always been one of our favorites.

Next target: Thurmont Vista (1,499 ft.)
No view here today.

After 5.3 miles we decided to stop for lunch at the Hog Rock picnic area.

We enjoyed a nice hot lunch of beef vegetable soup and Starbucks instant coffee.

Passing Hog Rock (1,610 ft.) and continuing down towards Route 77 we reached our final leg of our loop.
Along the way we encountered snowy scenes.

We returned once again back to the visitor’s center only this time covered in snow.

This storm was not predicted to come this far north and west, but to our delight we ended up with 6 inches of powdery snow. Today’s temperature remained around 15 degrees.
Only 4 more weeks to go!

 

[DynamiteSr]

Nice MD taste of winter

Great pictures, and looks like you got a surprise taste of winter down there. Four weeks to go for you!
You may have made the first VFTT reference to Starbucks VIA--great convenience in packaging for hikers.

 

[TrishandAlex]

Excellent! Now I know where to go for a hike while visiting my parents in MD.

Nice TR and pictures!

 

[KPMMBM]

nice report! hope to catch up with you two this time when you are up here. gotta love the via! I got some in my stocking this year.

 

[Barkingcat]

Now I know where to go for a hike while visiting my parents in MD.

Yes -- and don't forget the nearby historic Catoctin Iron Furnace, part of the National Park.

It's right across Route 15 from Cunningham Falls State Park, which abuts the main park to the south -- it's even accessible by an overpass walkway.

You can read more about it here, as well.

It's nifty...!

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

RICK, We're getting pounded here this weekend with forecasters predicting 12 - 20 inches of snow with blizzard conditions tomorrow. It will be a terrific snowshoeing day on Sunday (after much shoveling).
Do you think we need to send some of the snow up your way?

TRISH, If you ever decide to hike Catoctin down the road, be sure to drop us a line. Thanks!

KEITH, The VIA's are a great idea and taste much better than regular instant coffee. You've been knocking off the 4K's this winter; let us know what's remaining.

CLAY, Thanks. You always find interesting backgrounds on many topics.

Donna

 

[1HappyHiker]

Donna, sorry for the late reply to your posting . . . I'm sort of far behind on a lot of things recently.

Anyway, thank you for the very nice Trip Report and photos. That looks like an interesting place to hike. The photo of the rocky plateau was particularly interesting!

 

[Jimmy Legs and Little D]

Thanks, John. It is a very nice area to hike with a variety of trails to choose from depending on what you have in mind. There is a Caution sign where the crevices are located and one really needs to pay attention there.
Would you believe, we couldn't get out to snowshoe this weekend, after a monumental 24+inches of snow? Can't get out of our street yet.

Donna