Training on Bob's Hill Overlook

I have wanted to see more of Cunningham Falls, and I also needed a hike that had a similar elevation profile to section 1 of the Standing Stone trail. Thus I plotted a hike that started at the lake, headed up to the Bob's Hill Overlook on the Catoctin Trail, and then retraced that route back to my car. Most folks going to the overlook come up from the shorter approach from the Manor Area to the east, and I was surprised to encounter only three hikers en route to the top.

This was a really nice hike, and I hit it at the perfect time. At lower elevations, there were so many ferns. Fields of ferns! Seas of ferns! At higher elevation, there was mountain laurel, and it was in bloom. 

The hike started off going steadily uphill, with about 1,000 feet of elevation gain. There was one stream crossing that required caution, but otherwise there were few obstacles. Eventually, the trail flattened out at the ridge top. Here, the trail was rocky - think football-sized rocks in the trail. I passed the trail to Cat Rocks to reach the north and south overlooks.

The north overlook was overgrown; it might provide nice views in the winter. The south overlook had better views. I could see as far as Sugarloaf in the distance, at the other end of Frederick County.

I would return here. Although it would be hard to beat the laurel bloom for timing, it would also be nice to visit once the leaves are off.

Overall, this was 9 miles round-trip, with about 1,250 feet of elevation gain. (It did turn out to be much less rocky than the Standing Stone section to follow, however, but that's another story.)

A short hike in Ohio

T and I travelled to Cincinnati recently for a family occasion. We did not have much time for non-family activities, but we did stop at Newlin Falls on our way home for a little hike.

It's short - we saw both falls in a mile of walking. The falls themselves are small; we saw them at what was probably their best, after days of rain that had led to flood advisories. But it sure made a nice change from driving on the interstate!

Schaeffer Farms white trail

Even though it is very close by, I have spent virtually no time in the Schaeffer Farms area of Seneca Creek State Park, as it is designed with bikes in mind. (Albeit open to hikers.) So I set out to do a straightforward loop on the white trail - it's one of those areas with trails simply named for the blaze color.

It wasn't a long hike. I did add on a bit of mileage by detouring down the Seneca Ridge Trail to Black Rock, which added elevation gain on the return. 

The entire area is "just woods," as in, no real viewpoints, streams, etc. It does pass some farmland, and there are modest elevation gain changes. Overall, it is a trail that is convenient and a change of pace, but not a real destination in and of itself.

Long Draught Trail

A cold knocked me out for a week and a half, so my return to hiking was a mild effort: Picking up a stray bit of the Long Draught trail in Seneca Creek State Park. This bit of the trail, east of Riffle Ford Ford, connects the Greenway and the Seneca Ridge Trail.

It was not a long section, but it was pleasant enough.

Seneca Creek Greenway and Ridge Trails

For my first long hike of the year - yes, it took until March! - I headed out to the Seneca Greenway to do a loop. Starting at the Black Rock parking lot, I headed north, which in that section is west, to Riffle Ford Road. From there I did a very short road walk to the Seneca Ridge trail, returning to my car.

The first bit of the greenway is a very nice section, well shaded and partially along the creek. After crossing Germantown Road, it is much more open. While it still follows the creek, and was fine in the 60-something weather, it can get hot in the summer. 

The return was my first time on the Seneca Ridge trail; unlike the parallel greenway, it is open to bicycles. This section is nicely maintained and reasonably pretty. It's not as close to the creek, but there are a few nice views of it from above. (Hence the name Senece Ridge, I suppose.)

The loop added up to 11.5 miles. The elevation was 71 feet per mile, pretty standard for this area.