Green Ridge State Forest: 4/20-4/25 Hike and Hang Trip Planning

[Joey]

The "Loop" consists of the C&O Canal, and 3 connecting trails within the forest. I've hiked it several times. My favorite route is to park at the Paw Paw lot on the C&O canal, hike about 2 miles and camp there. After a few miles down the towpath the next morning you enter the forest on Long Pond Trail. Follow that North until you reach Deep Run/Big Run trail. Follow that South until it ends and connect with Log Roll Trail. Follow that back to the Canal towpath, and hike back to the Paw Paw parking lot. Easy enough.

Follow this link for a good online map that will give you an idea of the "loop"
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/p...dge_ORVmap.pdf

Water in April is no issue. In fact, you cross a stream several times so be prepared for wet feet.

I can post some pics of the forest and trail if anyone is interested.

[lazy river road]

Joe awesome map that looks great hike and a much better map then what I found. I'm gonna call park office tommrow and post tommrow what I learn.

[Cranky Bear]

I am still trying to work out my schedule for April, I do know that I am off the entire last week in April, just not the 23rd! But I am working on that!

LRR I will keep a watch on this thread, and if you settle on something different send me a PM or give me a shout!

[lazy river road]

Ok, So I just got off the phone with Bo the Trail Specialist at Green Ridge State Park (a really nice guy spent a good bit with me on the phone) and said that he'd be happy to have a hammock group come and visit. He is in charge of the back country and said he always sees hammocks swinging from the trees. He also informed me that all the trails are inter locking (like stated before) but the blazes may change color (but I have the trail map and guide on order to my place) and its easy to navigate the loop. He also said in April it is their wettest month and their should be no problem at all finding water. He actually warned of strong currents and high stream crossings. I also learned that very close to the 4 shelters that are located along the loop their are near by parking lots that can park 2-3 cars so if we wanted to station a car in the middle of the loop or even two in the middle we'd have re-supply as well as be able to bring xtra gear, use it for a night and then leave it in the car. This would also possibly allow us to do a burger and dogs BBQ one night possibly if planned right. Just an option as well as allows for easy bail outs in case of any thing. So lets the real planning continue,

1st. I am going to keep the trip at the current location baring any natural disasters or extreme reasons why we would not be able to go to green ridge.

2nd. It's to far away to set a deadline but I am eventually going to due to having to obtain permits for every one and giving Bo a courteous heads up.

3rd. 6 people can be on one permit which cost $10 and $1 for each additional person a night. I will make it a round number and if money is left over donate it to HF.

3. Whom ever wants to come is obv. invited but Bo just asked us to be xtra diligent about the LNT policy. I simply replied, I don't think you'll have to worry about this group so lets me sure I prove myself right

4. Are people interested in attempting to organize a BBQ or is that going to be to confusing. The MAHA is the weekend before and the BBQ their is a massive one.

Please feel free to add any suggestions and of course comments, this is my first attempt at a group trip so all advice is welcomed

[Pro Vagabond]

Sounds great. Now I just have to convince my wife I NEED to be away for 2 weekends in a row....

[Cranky Bear]

Good info LRR!

You can put me in as a "Maybe"!

[lazy river road]

Sounds great. Now I just have to convince my wife I NEED to be away for 2 weekends in a row....

Make that 3 Weekends in a Row

http://www.hammockforums.net/forum/s...ad.php?t=21717

Im gonna start a tentative list:

Lazy River Road 4/19 a.m.-4/25 p.m.

Definite=1

Pro Vagabond
Cranky Bear
Joe Cross
Poppa Bear
Jeremesh

Maybe's=5

If your gonna add your self to the list just cut and past it and add your name. Also as the time gets closer please add dates you will be attending.

[Joey]

As a thought... any consideration for doing this later in May. The creeks do get up pretty high in April. You have to cross them many times on parts of the trail. I did the loop one May and walked through calf deep water every 5 min. most of the day. Very cold - kept me moving!

Just a thought.

[lazy river road]

As a thought... any consideration for doing this later in May. The creeks do get up pretty high in April. You have to cross them many times on parts of the trail. I did the loop one May and walked through calf deep water every 5 min. most of the day. Very cold - kept me moving!

Just a thought.

I am a school teacher so my dates are locked into this week with accordance to my spring break.

The reason I picked Green Ridge was because it was a loop and easily accessible. If this thread does not generate a buzz for this week especially with the spring MAHA the weekend before and Pine Furnace the weekend after wards the couple of us who are interested can talk by phone, pm etc. and possibly discuss a different place where we shuttle with the cars so we don't have to do an out and back. But bc their are so many great hiking loops if I were to just open it up to every ones suggestions I fear a place would never get picked. I am flexible with in this date range if no more then a few of us are able to hike this week we can discuss further options.

[bloomgorge]

I'm a maybe right now...i need to review the maps a little more and put my vacation request in with the wife. I may look at coming in on Friday..little too far out to decide but it's very tempting. I'll also be coming from MI.


Definite=1

Pro Vagabond
Cranky Bear
Joe Cross
Poppa Bear
Jeremesh

Maybe's
bloomgorge