The weather is warming up in Frederick County, Maryland and it’s a great time to get back into your hiking shoes! Trails vary from easy to moderate, and, in a few cases, slightly strenuous, for the more seasoned adventurer. Here are 10 opportunities to enjoy the area’s naturally beautiful landscape.
This National Park Service unit offers pathways that traverse one of the oldest mountains in the country (
Catoctin Mountain). Trail destinations lead to breathtaking vistas of neighboring environs along with unique geologic landforms such as Chimney Rock and Hog Rock. The Blue Blazes Whiskey Still Trail interprets the local tradition of moon-shining, a popular, yet illegal activity during the Prohibition period of the 1920s.
Times Past: Feb. 23, 2021
Published: 2/24/2021 2:42:28 PM
Modified: 2/24/2021 2:42:26 PM
1996
Washington’s Birthday is renowned in the area for the hatchet hunt sponsored by the Athol Fire Department and the Athol Area YMCA. More than 350 area youth with many parents ventured into the Bearsden Woods in search of 50 prizes, the most coveted of which were two engraved hatchets. Winners of the hatchets in the 74th hunt were Adam Richard, 13, of Phillipston, who found the Washington Hatchet and Emily Webster, 5½, kindergarten student at Silver Lake School, who found the “Johnnie” Johnstone Hatchet.
■After a short reprieve from winter weather, winter-weary North Quabbin residents awoke to a new blanket of snow. The snow was greeted with somewhat less than enthusiasm by most folks who are hoping for the first signs of spring. To add insult to injury, weather forecasters are predicting another storm with estimates of three to five more inches of the wet white stuff being dump
New Yearâs Day hike with PVAS
Join Jim Cummins, Potomac Valley Audubon Society president, for a Jan. 1 hike at 10 a.m. heading downstream and back along the C&O Canal while observing natural features and history around the Pack Horse Ford section. The walk will start at the large parking area off Canal Road and is about 2 miles round-trip. Participation is free, but pre-registration is required. Dress for the weather. Register at www.potomacaudubon.org or contact Krista Hawley at adultprograms@potomacaudubon.org or 681-252-1387.
Winter solstice and full moon hikes
Strawberry Hill Nature Center, 1537 Mount Hope Road in Fairfield, Pennsylvania, will host winter solstice hikes at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22 to observe the shortest daylight hours day of the year. A full moon hike starts at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 29. Bring a flashlight and listen for owls and other nocturnal animals. Space is limited and pre-registration is required for all hikes. To register or for more information, call 71
Mountain Empire may see some snow today in higher elevations heraldcourier.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from heraldcourier.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.