We spent the afternoon exploring some of the trails at the American Chestnut Land Trust. There are over 22 miles of trails across this 3,000 acre preserve in Southern Maryland’s Calvert County. This park is easily accessed from Prince Frederick, MD and has ample parking. There is an outhouse on site, as well as trail maps and other resources. One of the interesting fun features in this preserve is a primitive raft to get across Parkers Creek to access the trails in the southern section of the preserve. Sorry for the video quality, I had issues with the camera (settings), dirty lens, and the editing software version was acting up. Figured I'd post it anyway.
Their website is very good and describes the park better than I can here:
I was recently tagged by Brant & Garvey, Not NoBo Loon, and Lamp Lighter to reveal my secret luxury gear items that I carry with me on the trail! This is all Dan Becker’s fault! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU0hAogyruw
I found this while doing some Google surfing for local outdoor things to do in the desert. I just could not pass this one up! From in-between the four billboards on CA14 8.9 miles North of Red Rock State Park. Last Chance Canyon Road is on the right and there is a small sign there for the tunnel. The site is managed by the Bureau of Land Management. It is about 8 miles up to the Burro Schmidt Cabin site and some parking for the tunnel. The road is passable for most cars (it was for my Ford Focus). Some of the areas of road are soft sand...don't stop or yo might get stuck. There is limited cell service so make sure you leave a plan with someone so people know where you are. I would not attempt this on a wet day. There are a number of wash areas that look like they might become impassable by most vehicles if it is wet out. The cabins are pretty run down and fenced off. They look like what one would expect at many abandoned desert sites. The tunnel is very cool! it's about a half mile long with a spur on the left most of the way though. Look right at this junction and you'll see the exit. The view of the dry lake along Redrock Randsburg Rd from the far side of the tunnel is outstanding! Plan to spend about 3 hours playing with this one. It's a very cool side trip and I highly recommend it for those into weird things.
This was Day 2 of a very short two-day hike on the AT South, from PA 645 parking to the William Penn Shelter and then back over to the 501 Shelter. This section between 645 and the 501 shelter was very easy, nearly flat, and pretty much rock free except near the 501 shelter. There were a couple nice views along this route and an interesting blue blaze trail around AT mile 1194, just south of Fisher Overlook, that led to a pretty cool stone river. Fisher Overlook has a couple of really nice fire rings there too. The 501 shelter is very interesting and a bit more like a single room cabin. It is located a few hundred yards South of the Route 501 road crossing. The structure has a large picnic table in the center, a dozen bunks, some chairs, and a nice resource area where the log is. Outside are lots of picnic tables, a solar shower, water (piped in winter at the caretaker’s house), and ample tent sites. During winter, there is access to a nice privy down a red blaze trail. The site is right along Route 501 and food can be delivered to the parking area along the road. There are signs that prohibit “car camping”…so don’t expect to drive to the close parking and stay overnight. Mileage from PA 645 to William Penn was only 2.1 miles. Day 2 I hiked back to the 501 shelter and then to the 645 parking, making for an 8.2 mile total trip.
@0:42 – Parking / Road Crossing at PA 645 @2:06 – Mystery Pink Blaze @2:26 – Blue Blaze to Stone River @3:33 – Fisher Overlook and Fire Rings @4:55 – Route 501 Crossing @6:21 – Route 501 Shelter @9:17 – Water @9:47– Privy
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This was Day 1 of a very short two day hike on the AT South, from PA 645 parking to the William Penn Shelter and then back over to the 501 Shelter. This section between 645 and William Penn was very easy, nearly flat, and pretty much rock free. There were limited views through the trees along this section of trail. The tent sites and spring are off the trail to the North along a short blue blaze trail. The sprig was working well and there are a huge number of great tent sites. The shelter and privy are off to the South along another short blue blaze trail. The shelter is one of the better ones I’ve seen. It is two stories and has a nice fire pit. The privy gets a solid B. There was a small group there when I arrived, which is why I decided to stay here for the night instead of hiking another 4 miles back to the 501 Shelter. I’ll post 501 Shelter as a part 2 to this video. We got a nice fire going and played a game of Exploding Kittens (I won) and then we called it a night. It was about 30 degrees overnight and it flurried a bit. My Enlightened Equipment Enigma-H.E. Custom 30 degree quilt kept me warm. This is my liast hike for 2018. Have a Happy New Year!
Mileage from PA 645 to William Penn was only 2.1 miles. Day 2 I hiked back to the 501 shelter and then to the 645 parking making for a 8.2 mile total trip.
@0:21 – Parking at PA 645 @2:05 – William Penn Shelter and Spring Junction @4:10 – Spring at William Penn Shelter @5:48 – Shelter Area @7:24 – William Penn Shelter @8:54 – Dinner @9:51 – Privy
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Parked in the lot at the base of the Chumash Trail along the Pacific Coast Highway to do this short 2 hour hike. The lot holds 18 cars or so and is heavily used. It is free. Although not long, about a mile or so to the top, the trail is very steep. The views are outstanding and well worth the effort. Great spot to watch the sun set from.
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This was a quick but long “in and out” from Boiling Springs Furnace parking lot to the Alex Kennedy Shelter, through the Rock Maze, and then to stay the night at the James Fry Shelter. I parked at the Boiling Springs Iron Furnace lot for this hike. To do this, you must get an overnight pass from the ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office around the corner. The farm fields can be a bit muddy…thankfully I was dry by the evening. The Alex Kennedy Shelter is super nice and has one of the nicest privies I’ve seen so far on the trail!
Happened to meet up with “Sweeps” at the James Fry Shelter for the evening, which was super cool. We’ve been crossing virtual section hike paths with our YouTube videos for a few months now. It’s about time we ran into each other. Sweeps at “SectionHiking The AT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCrrdXZ4LU_OD_JPXjG2mDA
@1:29 – ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office (AT Mile 1122.7) @2:01 – Parking at Boiling Springs Furnace (AT Mile 1122.5) @4:00 – Backpacker Campsite @6:47 – Center Point knob (AT Mile 1119.7) @8:35 – Alex Kennedy Shelter (At Mile 1118.8) @11:34 – Alex Kennedy Spring @16:41 – More rock Maze (AT Mile 1116.3 – 1115.9)
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