Easy/Moderate Walking/Hiking in MD

Let’s take a moderate hike in the Sweet Air section of the Little Gunpowder! This is one of my favorite hikes in central Maryland. Please bring a positive attitude, water, and a sense of adventure. Guests are welcome, however they must be 18 years of age or older.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Loop hike about 5.25 miles total length along the Little Gunpowder
• Average pace of 2.5-2.75 mph with short breaks every mile or so
• Approximately 2.5-3 hours of hiking
• Moderate with varied terrain (grass, hard-packed dirt, mud, woods, rocks, roots, wooden footbridges)
• About 600 feet of elevation gain, several intense hill climbs, lots of up and down in a section I call the Roller Coaster
• A few easy stream crossings
• Horses use some of these trails so there will probably be horse poop
• We will hike together as a group & no person will be left behind

You will be parking in the Sweet Air lot, there is plenty of room several dozen cars. I will upload screenshots from Google Maps for reference. There is also a Port-a-Potty in the parking lot.

We will meet by the signpost in the parking lot.

What to bring:

• Plenty of water (I recommend at least one liter)
• Bug spray
• Sunscreen
• Snacks
• Hiking boots & poles if you have them
• Any medications you might need on a hike (inhaler, epi pen, etc)
• Dogs are welcome as long as they are well behaved and remain on leash

If you RSVP for this hike but decide not to come, please update your RSVP, otherwise we will be waiting for you.

We will step off at 9:15AM to give everyone an extra 15 minutes to arrive & get ready.

This event will be cross-posted in the Mid-Atlantic Outdoors group. Please only RSVP to one group.

Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability for In-Person Events

Participation in any in-person events includes acknowledging the assumption of risk and waiver of liability shared below:

Attendee assumes all risks and accepts sole responsibility for any injury (including, but not limited to, personal injury, disability, and death), illness, damage, loss, claim, liability or expense, of any kind, that attendee may experience or incur in connection with attending the meetup.

Specifically relating to the global COVID-19 pandemic, attendee acknowledges the contagious nature of COVID-19 and voluntarily assumes the risk of exposure or infection by attending the event, and that such exposure or infection may result in personal injury, illness, permanent disability and death. Attendee understands that the risk of becoming exposed to or infected by COVID-19 at the event may result from the actions, omissions or negligence of others who may attend the event or their families, colleagues, or others with whom they may have contact.