Old Quarry and Little Gunpowder Trail

Gunpowder Falls State Park spans across Northeast Maryland, taking approximately fifty minutes to drive from one end to the other. The park offers a vast amount of trails, providing you with many landscapes to chose from.

Due to the quarantine, I would recommend finding large state parks to hike, such as Gunpowder Falls or Cunningham Falls. Many trails have become extremely crowded lately and parking is a nightmare.

Though I have been to the park dozens of times, I easily manage to find new trails to explore. This time I chose a 3.4 mile loop and the day could not have been more perfect for a hike.

For a Sunday, I was surprised that this trail was not crowded. It made for a more peaceful hike, as you bask in the nature in silence. The first mile of the hike follows the river, which was clear and inviting. I found various spots along the river that make a great swimming holes, perfect for a summer day.

I came across several forks in the trail. Eventually I passed my turn and ended up on a trail that was off the beaten path. I hiked about a half mile before noticing, though there was no need to turn back. I was able to look at the trail map and continued off route, making my own path back to the trail. If you do not have access to a map, you are better off turning around to avoid getting lost.

The scenery throughout the hike was incredible. I passed a small pond that had two creeks feeding into it. Plenty of wildlife was out, deer were grazing in the meadows and hawks were gliding above the tree tops. There were some snakes out as well. Nothing to worry about, but take caution and avoid up close interactions with any wildlife you may encounter.

There is a gradual elevation gain of 328 feet, making it an easy hike for most. Once I reached the plateau, there was an outstanding overlook. For the small gain in elevation, I was not expecting such an expansive view. Dandelion seeds floated throughout the valley as the sun shined down onto the terrain below. It was truly like a scene from a fairy-tale.

Old Quarry and Little Gunpowder Trail - Gunpowder Falls State Park.

The rest of the hike was a breeze, as it was a descent down to the trail head. I ended up hiking a total of 4.2 miles due to the detour. This loop is one of the best trails that Gunpowder Falls has to offer. I recommend you all pack a picnic to enjoy the view for a couple of hours. That is exactly what I will be doing the next time I come out to this overlook!

Bob’s Hill Trail

Thurmont, Maryland

When in Maryland, one may think there is not much to do. But in reality, Maryland has an abundant amount of trails and some outstanding views. So, while many of you may think this state is boring, I beg to differ.

Maryland is special in its ability to surprise you. Drive far enough away from the city lights and you can find yourself in complete bliss. In this case, I drove out to Cunningham Falls State Park and had not yet found my bliss.

I began this hike with a lot of optimism and excitement. I did not think of checking the terrain for the hike before coming out. That was my mistake. Half a mile in, I realized this was an uphill hike. I was grateful to have worn my hiking boots, as the roots along the trail were unforgiving.

Not aware that I embarked on a steep hike, my enthusiasm was beginning to fade. Suddenly, through a natural window in the forest, I was pleasantly rewarded with a breathtaking view. The small glance motivated me to push through the steep terrain. Let’s not forget, my hike had just began.

As I continued trekking up the steep mountain, for what seemed like forever, I finally made it to the overlook marker.

At this point, the overlook was not yet visible, but it was certainly no point to turn back. The trail split in two, offering different views. There was no time to waste, as the paths are both out and back.

Unlike him, I was unwilling to walk that far out on the rocks. So, I took in the view from a few steps behind.

Once again, Maryland beautifully surprised me with its stunning landscape. It became a moment of instant gratification, I was graced with a glance at serenity.