At the Blue Ridge Summer Overlook, Catoctin Mountain National Park
20 August 2004
There's a National Park in Maryland?
Catoctin Mountain National Park, Maryland. About 8 miles; 3:15 excluding breaks and lunch.
Jay and I broke in our new trail shoes. Started at the visitor center and did the east loop (visitor center to Wolf Rock, then to Castle Rock, then circled around toward Crows Nest. Also did the west loop to Blue Ridge Summit Overlook -- nice lunch spot! -- then to Hog Rock, then Cunningham Falls, then back to the visitor center. Saw very little wildlife; just some chipmunks and a small garter snake. But the terrain was beautiful. Very hilly and rocky. The falls were pretty but the boardwalk/lookout thingy didn't provide a good view so (of course) Jay hopped the fence and went prancing halfway up the falls rocks to get a better look (and get a little wet). It was hot (in the nineties) and humid but not unbearable under the tree canopy.
Lesson learned: Bring sunglasses even if your hike is shaded by trees, as it can keep the gnats from dive-bombing your eyes.
Jay and I broke in our new trail shoes. Started at the visitor center and did the east loop (visitor center to Wolf Rock, then to Castle Rock, then circled around toward Crows Nest. Also did the west loop to Blue Ridge Summit Overlook -- nice lunch spot! -- then to Hog Rock, then Cunningham Falls, then back to the visitor center. Saw very little wildlife; just some chipmunks and a small garter snake. But the terrain was beautiful. Very hilly and rocky. The falls were pretty but the boardwalk/lookout thingy didn't provide a good view so (of course) Jay hopped the fence and went prancing halfway up the falls rocks to get a better look (and get a little wet). It was hot (in the nineties) and humid but not unbearable under the tree canopy.
Lesson learned: Bring sunglasses even if your hike is shaded by trees, as it can keep the gnats from dive-bombing your eyes.
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