Sideling Hill, MD area hikes
Oct 29, 2014 21:08:31 GMT -5
Post by AegisIII on Oct 29, 2014 21:08:31 GMT -5
Part I: Woodmont NRMA
Photos
It's hot in July, so I decided for my final hike that month to do a set of mini-hikes, meaning if needed I could easily cut it short. I decided to head out to western Washington County and do three Sideling Hill area hikes. First off was the Woodmont Wildlife Trail, a four mile double loop shared use trail system at Woodmont Natural Resources Management Area. It's the only blazed (yellow) trail there, though far from the only one.
There's a large sunny parking area along Woodmont Road, where two trails leave. Trail maps are available at the kiosk. These trails, unlike others at Woodmont, are open year-round. One heads east, the other south. I took the east trail, and it quickly turned north. As I wanted to start with the connector trail first, I then took the south trail, soon reaching a junction with the connector trail. The blazed trails are easy to follow. The connector trail divides it into two loops, north and south. Basically, the east side of both loops are comprised of old woods roads, mostly atop low ridges. There are some folksy wood benches scattered along the trails. There are also a few interpretive signs. This side is classic mid-hill Valley and Ridge, mixed pine and oaks. Saw a box turtle. There are some side woods roads, which I only very lightly explored. Those are unblazed and unmaintained, and some were overgrown.
The western half of the trails is rather different. Here the trails are mainly traildozer singletrack. There's also some old fenceline along the northwest quadrant. There is also more net elevation change on this side. It looks like that the system does see some occasional mowing and herbicide treatment. The southwest part is mostly through heavy young growth, including poison ivy. The northwest side is in better shape, less like a jungle, and the trail follows a mix of singletrack and old removed fencelines. There is a minor view with bench on the southwest side, not too far from the parking area.
Photos
It's hot in July, so I decided for my final hike that month to do a set of mini-hikes, meaning if needed I could easily cut it short. I decided to head out to western Washington County and do three Sideling Hill area hikes. First off was the Woodmont Wildlife Trail, a four mile double loop shared use trail system at Woodmont Natural Resources Management Area. It's the only blazed (yellow) trail there, though far from the only one.
There's a large sunny parking area along Woodmont Road, where two trails leave. Trail maps are available at the kiosk. These trails, unlike others at Woodmont, are open year-round. One heads east, the other south. I took the east trail, and it quickly turned north. As I wanted to start with the connector trail first, I then took the south trail, soon reaching a junction with the connector trail. The blazed trails are easy to follow. The connector trail divides it into two loops, north and south. Basically, the east side of both loops are comprised of old woods roads, mostly atop low ridges. There are some folksy wood benches scattered along the trails. There are also a few interpretive signs. This side is classic mid-hill Valley and Ridge, mixed pine and oaks. Saw a box turtle. There are some side woods roads, which I only very lightly explored. Those are unblazed and unmaintained, and some were overgrown.
The western half of the trails is rather different. Here the trails are mainly traildozer singletrack. There's also some old fenceline along the northwest quadrant. There is also more net elevation change on this side. It looks like that the system does see some occasional mowing and herbicide treatment. The southwest part is mostly through heavy young growth, including poison ivy. The northwest side is in better shape, less like a jungle, and the trail follows a mix of singletrack and old removed fencelines. There is a minor view with bench on the southwest side, not too far from the parking area.
