Pre-breakfast stretching. Getting in/out of 15-passenger van(s); driving about 25 miles, approximately 1 hour each way. Hiking approximately 9 miles; rocky terrain, steepest descent of the program; stone steps and switchbacks aid in descent.
In the Shepherd’s Spring Dining Room, we’ll have a buffet breakfast with hot selections as well as fresh fruit and cereal with beverage choices of milk, juice, coffee, tea, water. We’ll also pack our own lunches from foods provided and take them with us in our day packs to have on the trail.
We’ll hop aboard our van(s) and travel to the beginning point of today's hike at Wolfsville Road. We’ll begin with the steepest descent in Maryland down to a small tributary of Grove Creek, then cross near homes before descending Buzzard Knob in Raven Rock Hollow. After another water crossing at Little Antietam Creek, we’ll begin the climb onto Quirauk Mountain, once known as Mount Misery!
At the Devil's Racecourse shelter, we’ll have the lunches we prepared.
Continuing our hike, we’ll carry on with the ascent of Quirauk Mountain, stopping at High Rock to enjoy the excellent views of the surrounding countryside. The mountain’s summit at 2,100 feet is the highest point of the trail in Maryland. Our hike will end in Pen Mar Park, once a great amusement park. The Mason-Dixon line at the edge of the park marks the Pennsylvania border.
Dining Room buffet.
A local expert will join us for a presentation on where the mountains came from. We’ll learn about the geology of the mountains and trails of the AT, especially in Maryland.