Hike Thurston Griggs to Appalachian Trail to Black Rock

Hike along the Appalachian Trail as it passes through South Mountain State Park, taking you to a number of very scenic lookout spots.From the parking area, take the connector trail a short distance until you see blue blazes on the left – these will lead you to the Appalachian Trail (white blazes), on your right. After a noisy stint next to the freeway, the trail begins climbing the South Mounta...

Start your hike where the AT crosses Raven Rock Road (Maryland Route 491). This crossing is well-marked from both sides by large, yellow signs and blazed stakes. You will need to park on the side of the road, but the shoulder is wide and can accommodate a crowd.  The first half mile or so of this hike is hard; you'll be climbing more than a thousand feet up uneven stone steps and switchbacks. L...

For outdoor enthusiasts, Maryland is an ideal place to live. Between the mountains and the Bay--and the rivers, bike paths, and trails along the way--we couldn't ask for much more. But if we were feeling greedy, we would probably ask for additional backpacking options, right? Of course, there are the state forests out west, and Pennsylvania and Virginia are close enough destinations. But for a ...

This 78-foot waterfall, among the largest in the state, is easily accessible by two short trails. Lower Trail (0.5 miles) leads directly to the falls, whereas Cliff Trail (0.75 miles) has slightly more difficult terrain and takes you to a viewing platform. To lengthen the adventure, Hunting Creek Lake is close by for swimming, or you can continue your hike by taking Old Misery Trail for great v...

The best place to park is on Catoctin Hollow Road in the parking lot that's on the same side of the road as the lake. It's not a huge lot but we were here mid-summer around 10am and found a spot easily. The trail head is on the other side of the street from this parking lot; there is a sign letting you know you're at 'Old Misery Trail.' The name sounds funny until you start climbing the switchb...

Start your hike where the AT crosses Raven Rock Road (Maryland Route 491). This crossing is well-marked from both sides by large, yellow signs and blazed stakes. You will need to park on the side of the road, but the shoulder is wide and can accommodate a crowd.  The first half mile or so of this hike is hard; you'll be climbing more than a thousand feet up uneven stone steps and switchbacks. L...