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JUNE 2021
A Message from the MCM President
Janine Grossman (janinegrossman@gmail.com)
You are a member of a truly remarkable The Club’s trail work will begin again in July in
hiking club. And the numbers show it. From Patapsco Valley State Park. Doug Schubert will
January through May we’ve held 167 keep us posted on that launch and sub-
hikes that covered just over 1,700 miles. sequent work days.
There were 52 hike leaders and more If you would like to lead a hike but
than 1,500 hikers. Our numbers for don’t know how to get started, you’re
the coming months will predictably in luck. Tirzah Rom (tirzahrom55@
increase as summer begins and restric- gmail.com)will help connect you with
tions are lifted. one of the Club’s hike-leader mentors
It was wonderful to see a record turnout to make the process easy. When we
for the MCM Annual Picnic. Many vol- have more hike leaders we’ll have ad-
unteers helped make it a success. I want ditional hike offerings on the schedule!
to especially thank those who arrived Think about adding a favorite hike on
early to set up: Karen Ohlrich, Winnie Saturday or Sunday.
Carpenter, Marilyn Gower, Jackie Killip, Sharon I look forward to seeing you on the trails soon.
Sniffen and Rose Eicker.
The Orioles had Ironman Cal Ripken. The
Mountain Club has its own Ironman: Jim Koury,
who led his 500th hike for the Club on April 18
(see photo). His wife Sharon has been the sweep
for all, or nearly all, of the hikes. Kudos to the
Kourys, and thanks to them for their dedication.
We will soon have a new website with enhanced
capabilities and speedy navigation. Look for an
announcement this summer.
A Bench for Peter
A bench in memory of past president and
active Mountain Club member Peter John-
son has been installed at the Oregon Ridge
Nature Center at the intersection of the
Ridge Trail and Loggers Trail. The bench
was built at the end of April with funds
collected at the Club’s holiday party.
JUNE 2021 HIKER HIGH POINTS • 1
HAM News Highlights Club’s Annual Picnic
Ed Warner
Bill and Carolyn Bauer led the “easy” hike
The annual Mountain Club’s annual picnic, held June 12
and attended by 137 people, featured three hikes, catered
box lunches, and news of the Club’s election results and of
how the Club was returning to normal after roughly a year of
upheaval due to the covid epidemic. A total of 67 attendees
hiked prior to the lunch, with 19 doing the hardest hike,17
doing the “tweener,” and 31 doing the one rated “easy.”
Reflecting the post-covid freedoms, Steve Kempler, who
A total of 67 hikers participated in Club president Janine
during covid focused on implementing changes to the Club’s Grossman reports on the
the 3 hikes
hiking practices, told attendees “We are now open to the past year and future plans
public.” As part of the return to normal, the Club will return
to monitoring two trails in Patapsco Valley State Park, which
was also the picnic venue. During the picnic, Club President
Janine Grossman offered the Club’s thanks to several mem-
bers for their active volunteerism, including Larry Freeman
and Bill Saunders, who started a successful version of the
Club on Meetup, and urged members to keep volunteering
to “keep the Club as dynamic as it is.”
During the pandemic, several hike leaders remained ac-
tive, including Jim Koury, who has, as of the picnic, now led
his 500th hike.
Bill Saunders announced the election results, which, Box lunches were part of the Club’s response to covid
as expected, returned to office the two officers who ran
unopposed but also added John Barrett as a new council
member. Grossman also told attendees that a new version of
the Club’s website will launch next in six weeks or so.
Another piece of news from the picnic was word that there
will be a Hike Across Maryland this year, but this Oct. 2 “Half
HAM” will be much shorter. It’ll begin at the Pennsylvania
line on the A.T. at Pen Mar and finish at the Washington
Monument in the state park of the same name, said HAM
organizer Sharon Sniffen. The 21-mile hike will begin at 8
a.m. with the last of hikers coming in by 6 p.m. Registration
opens in mid-August and is only open to Club members. All
needed information and a link to register as a participant or
Sharon Sniffer details plans for Steve Kempler describes
volunteer will be posted on the members’ portion of the Club the October “Half HAM” MCM’s progress back to
website just prior to the opening of registration, she said. normal
2 • HIKER HIGH POINTS JUNE 2021
Club’s COVID Hiking Restrictions Updated in May
Steve Kempler
The Club’s revised restrictions are: • Hikers should have a mask with them in case it’s needed
• Hike registration is not required, unless indicated by on busy or narrow trails.
the hike leader in his or her hike description. Registration • Hike leaders may make logistical decisions regarding
is done by contacting the hike leader through his or her their hike. Updates will be communicated in hike descrip-
email or phone, whichever is preferred. tions and/or when signing up for hike.
• Club hike participation limits have been removed, but • Members should not attend a hike if they or anyone in
limits can be set by hike leader. Leaders who do so should their household are currently in quarantine, awaiting the
specify if they have a limit, in their hike description. results of a corona-virus test, or have a fever or any flu-like
• Club hike participation on the A.T. is limited to 25 par- symptoms.
ticipants, but limits can be set by hike leader. The leader • The Club’s new schedule of hikes includes out-of-state or
should specify in the hike description if there is a limit. Appalachian Trail hikes that the Club may later cancel if
• Carpooling is optional and up to the hike leader, but the hike is later not allowed by the governing bodies of
all carpoolers must be fully vaccinated. The leader should those jurisdictions.
specify in the hike description if there is a carpool and/or • The Club conducts hikes consistent with Maryland’s
where the trailhead is located. Covid-19 guidelines, which supersede any of these restric-
• Hikes are open to non-members. The Club will return to tions. We will update this position statement as the situ-
having a member schedule and non-member schedule. ation evolves. Therefore, hikers should consult the online
• Agreeing to the MCM Covid waiver is no longer schedule for the latest status of hikes, which may need to
necessary be adjusted in length or start location, or cancelled, and
• Hikers should maintain a social distance from others. new hikes may be added.
Catoctin Trail Hikes Planned For Summer Schedule
Bill Saunders
I will be leading a five-part series of hikes on the Catoctin • Saturday, July 24 – a hike from Hamburg Road to the
Trail (CT) as part of this summer’s Club hike schedule. The Death March Trail in Frederick Municipal Forest, then
CT is a 26-mile National Recreational Trail that begins in looping back to Hamburg Road on various side trails.
Gambrill State Park and continues north through the Fred- • Sunday, August 8 – A 12H hike starting at the Manor Area
erick Municipal Forest (FMF) and Cunningham Falls State of CFSP and going south to the Death March Trail using a
Park (CFSP), ending at the northern boundary of Catoctin combination of the CT and various side trails in FMF, then
Mountain Park (CMP). Its length, location, and conditions following the CT north back to the Manor Area.
make it a favorite for many MCM hikes. This summer CT’s • Sunday, September 26– A 12H hike starting at the Manor
series will give Club members an opportunity to cover the Area going north on the CT to Cunningham Falls, then
entire CT in a short time. retracing our steps to the starting point.
The 5-part series will cover the entire length of the CT in a • Saturday, October 23 – An 11H hike starting at the
northward direction on the following dates: northern terminus of the CT at Mt. Zion Road, traveling
• Saturday, July 10 – a 12-mile hard (12H) hike from south to Cunningham Falls on a combination of the CT
Gambrill State Park to Hamburg Road and then looping and other trails, and then following the CT north to Mt.
back to the starting point on a series of other trails. Zion Road.
Hope to see many of you on some of these hikes!
JUNE 2021 HIKER HIGH POINTS • 3
Club Mourns Passing of Three Long-Time Members
Ed Warner Editor, HHP
In the last seven months, the Mountain Club lost three first. After I started eating mine, I said I could not taste any
long-time, active members: Dalzell Bunker, Dan McQueen cheese. With a sour look, Dan handed me his burrito and I
and Paul Ives. The three were each recalled fondly by fellow gave him mine. We spoke of this no more.”
Club members. Jeffrey Marks, like many, noted McQueen’s high energy,
Adrienne Shriner said Bunker, a member since 1987 who recalling that, about 20 years ago he and McQueen were on
died in December, “taught me how to paddle [in the] stern part of a three-month cycling trip through Glacier National
when I did not want to, as I Park and British Columbia. Similarly, Dee Noonberg said
liked being in the bow,” and McQueen was “like the Iron Man. In addition to all his hik-
Marcie Crawford recalled ing experience, Dan biked all over the world.” And Les Ansel
Bunker helping on a Boy recalled sharing a tent with McQueen on a trek to Machu
Scout troop’s outing. When Picchu and how he was “always pleasant company.” Similarly,
the kids were “very quiet by Christine Miller recalled how McQueen, while in his late sev-
the campfire with wide eyes,” enties, could “outpace my then 19-year old on the Tri-State
she said, “Dal scared the dick- Combo, something my son will never forget. Dan is a legend
ens out of them with Jersey and will be truly missed.” Ruben Dagold recalled fondly the
Devil stories.” On another autumn, multi-day Old Rag trips McQueen organized, mak-
occasion, Bunker and Bob ing sure that at least one participant had a large enough room
Carson were showing a Scout at the lodge for our pot-luck dinners, and how McQueen
troop canoe maneuvers when On a September 2003 canoe trip used his mathematics skill and NSA background when mon-
the two “lost control of the ca- on the Current River Dalzell itoring the Club’s A.T. corridor in Pennsylvania.
noe, which tumbled over and poses with his paddle. Paul Ives, who died in February, had been a Club mem-
sent them into the drink!” The youths, of course, wanted to ber for 50 years and an ac-
do the same maneuver, she added. tive hiker and volunteer.
“Dal was the consummate gentleman and friend who was He served as Supervisor of
always sharing tidbits on life, his knowledge of canoeing, how Trails from 1990 to 2001,
to survive in the wilderness, [wood] carving and his hard overseeing the Club’s A.T.
work ethic on many work trips,” Crawford recalled. and shelter maintenance.
Meanwhile, Amanda Greene recalled meeting Bunker on He also led hikes for the
her first MCM canoe-camping weekend. “He had my atten- Club for 20 years, was presi-
tion from the beginning with his wonderful stories and good dent from 1978-1980 and
heart. If there is an afterlife, I would not be surprised if Dal even answered the Club
had a paddle in one hand and a whittling knife in the other.” telephone from 1982 - 2005.
The passing of Dan McQueen, who died in March, was He represented the Club on Ives enjoys lunch on a trailwork trip.
also mourned by many, in- the Maryland A.T. Manage-
cluding Jim Koury, who said ment Committee in 1989 and 1990, administered the Club’s
“Everyone who knew Dan Miles Fund program in 2013 and 2014, and in 2001 received
was touched by him. All of us a Silver Service award from the National Park Service for 25
were made better by his spirit, or more years of A.T. volunteer work. He also received the
energy, kindness and gentle Club’s Eleanor Sewell Lifetime Achievement Award.
guidance.” Similarly, Susan Several members recalled him fondly, including one who
Morrissey said she “enjoyed said Ives and his wife, after arriving in Maryland, had been
doing Old Rag and many oth- looking for a church, “but when they began hiking with MCM
er challenging hikes with Dan. and doing trail work, they realized that the tree-covered for-
He was such an inspiration to est was their cathedral.” Duncan Crawford recalled how he
me. We had so many great met Ives “in 1997, on my first A.T. work trip with MCM. I’d
chats about all his hiking, bik- McQueen poses with from left,
Kathy Ruland and Sharon Koury
left a message on the Club phone, Paul called back, mailed
ing and kayak trips.” at the Catoctin Furnace parking me a schedule, and convinced me to come out and play. He
Brian Bare recalled how lot prior to climbing Bob’s Hill in was quite good at that, and his trips usually had a big turnout.
McQueen, a vegan, once re- January 2014 His inspiration, dedication, and ever-cheerful ‘can-do’ atti-
turned with him from a long day of hiking in Northern Vir- tude will be missed.”
ginia. At a Mexican restaurant in Berryville, they ordered the
same burrito “but I ordered with cheese. Dan received his
4 • HIKER HIGH POINTS JUNE 2021
Jerry Wright Wins ATC Volunteer Award
The Appalachian Trail Conservancy recognizes the efforts of an A.T. volunteer each month. Below is their
June 2021 story honoring Mountain Club member Jerry Wright as it appears on the Conservancy’s website.
Jerry Wright became a member of the Mountain Club Forest, respectively. Some of these worksites can be a
of Maryland (MCM) in 2001 and has been working on half-mile away from the nearest vehicle approach and
the A.T. since moving to the area in 1999. Upon joining Wright helps to provide continuous graffiti removal at
the MCM, Wright became a trail maintainer, as well as a these locations, and more, as new graffiti arises. Wright
certified sawyer and feller. has also been recognized by his peers in the Mid-Atlan-
Wright is also a certified Emergency Medical Techni- tic Region (MARO) of the Appalachian Trail as their
cian and has conducted Red Cross first aid training for Volunteer of the Year in 2020.
a number of MCM maintainers and hike leaders. Pri-
or to joining MCM, Wright worked on trail crews for
fifteen-years with the Adirondack Mountain Club and
the American Hiking Society. After maintaining a five-
mile section of the A.T. in Duncannon, PA for several CERTIFICATE of APPRECIATION
years and further working to expand his knowledge of JERRY WRIGHT
trail maintenance by attending a variety of workshops, AS AN EXEMPLARY VOLUNTEER OF THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
Wright now serves as the MCM’s Supervisor of Trails Thank you for all that you do as a volunteer and supporter of
and has been doing so for the past six years. the Appalachian National Scenic Trail!
As Supervisor of Trails for the MCM, Wright has a
wealth of knowledge on all things trail maintenance
and is tasked with supervising the MCM’s trail crews
and maintainers. Wright also organizes and schedules
volunteer work crews throughout the year based on his
LEANNA JOYNER, PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF VOLUNTEER RELATIONS
assessment of Trail conditions and works to actively re-
cruit new maintainers as needed. In addition, Wright
has mapped several reroutes of the Trail to improve the
hiker experience and address erosion issues. In 2019, he
organized the installation of six-hundred linear feet of
puncheon to address a muddy section of Trail that was
created after an abnormally heavy rainfall from the pre-
vious year.
Wright has also been a leader in graffiti removal ef-
forts in coordination with partner organizations. His
first experience was with the Duncannon Appalachian
Trail Community, removing graffiti at Hawk Rock where
community members carried heavy water containers up
the mountain to use for washing off the graffiti. Lessons
learned from that first graffiti removal led to submit-
ting and being awarded a $1,700 grant to purchase ma-
terial for graffiti removal, which included a backpack
gas-powered pressure washer for convenient use in
the backcountry. The Appalachian Trail Conservancy’s
Mid- Atlantic Regional Office then purchased two more
graffiti-removal backpack devices based on Wright’s de-
sign modifications.
For Wright, graffiti removal does not stop at the end
of his Club’s Trail section. He has helped to coordinate
graffiti removals at Shock Rock and Pole Steeple with
neighboring A.T. maintaining clubs and Michaux State Wright poses with huge grapevine.
JUNE 2021 HIKER HIGH POINTS • 5
T R A I L WOR K N E WS
Volunteers Overcome Mud on A.T. Sections
Jerry Wright
Heavy rains in 2018 resulted in substantial volved managing delivery of seven tons of wood
degradation in numerous places on the MCM- materials from three vendors in two states and
maintained sections of the A.T., and the resulting buying 3.5-inch deck screws in 5-lb buckets.
mud holes were never going to heal, due to the All of those materials had to be timed for deliv-
trail’s constant foot traffic. Therefore, the Club in- ery to four separate work trips.
stituted a project to install 600 linear feet of pun- One problem area was near where the trail meets
cheon – rudimentary boardwalk – across five lo- the road named PA 34. There, the mud was so deep
cations in a 40-mile corridor of the trail through I and the other volunteers had to dig down to hard
Maryland and Pennsylvania. soil and place cinder blocks for the six-by-six-inch
The work was spread over a year with a break in sleepers to rest on.
summer, because the ground needs to be muddy But, after a year of dry weather, some hikers may
to correctly locate the puncheon. The logistics in- wonder why there is puncheon in this location.
Before: Volunteers install the puncheon in the problem area. After: The dry trail seems to question the puncheons’ purpose.
6 • HIKER HIGH POINTS JUNE 2021
SHE LTE R R E P O R T
A Day (Or Two) In The Lives Of Shelter Maintainers
Bill Saunders
This year, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) minute walk, we had a much harder 50-minute hike
and the National Park Service (NPS) lifted many of each way with our supplies and gear. we passed sev-
last year’s COVID-related restrictions on Appalachian eral of the hikers who we had seen near the Fry shelter,
Trail (A.T.) shelter and privy work. In response, Den- hopefully impressing them with our mobility.
nis LeCompte and I On Monday, we planned visits to the two remaining
have resumed regu- shelters. First, we met Chad Barger at Millers Gap Road,
lar maintenance vis- and we all hiked in to the Bishop Darlington shelter to-
its to the Club’s four gether. The weather forecast called for early rain show-
hiking shelters in ers that would end by midmorning. Instead, just as we
Pennsylvania (PA). returned all to our cars around 10:30 a.m., it began to
A local PA resi- rain steadily. The rain continued as Dennis and I drove
dent, Chad Barger, to Duncannon, into the Pennsylvania Gamelands area,
has volunteered to and then up an old two-mile logging road to reach our
serve as our primary shelter at the top of Cove Mountain.
maintainer for the The drive up Cove Mountain, for which four-wheel
Darlington shelter, drive is necessary, starts with a very steep half-mile
so Dennis and I will climb while straddling a series of gullies washed out by
visit that site less fre- rain rushing down the mountain.
quently. Some of the gullies are very wide and deep. We often
Like much of life, have to stop intermittently to remove branches or small
shelter maintenance The road upward is filled with ruts trees from the road, but fortunately the road was pretty
is a process of adjust- and debris. clear this time.
ments. Things often don’t work out as expected, and After the first half-mile climb, the slope become more
plans have to be modified on the spot. gradual, but then the road involves pushing through
Every May, we bring red worms (purchased from a shrubs, deep grass and prickers taking over the trail.
garden supply company) to the shelters’ compost priv- When we reached the mountaintop, the rain con-
ies, since red worms are believed to help the compost- tinued, which
ing process by digesting human waste and turning it limited our
into good organic matter. We organize our May shelter maintenance
visits so that we can carry in the red worms soon after I work to the ba-
receive them. This time, it worked best for Dennis and sics. We post-
me to make our trips on a Sunday and Monday, May poned replac-
23 and 24. ing a rotting
On Sunday, Dennis and I drove to Gardners, PA, and trail sign and
(carrying worms, shavings, and other gear) then hiked sanding and
20 minutes south on the A.T. to the James Fry shelter, staining the
passing half a dozen northbound hikers on the way. In privy tank lids.
addition to our regular maintenance chores (filling the Then, we drove
shavings buckets, sweeping out the shelter and privy, Trees crowd the trail as our car climbs back down
cleaning the firepits, picking up trash, etc.) we dumped upward. the mountain
the worms into the toilets, made temporary repairs to a without incident and returned home.
broken pulley cable for the privy door, and scraped and One important aspect of our shelters work is to note
re-stained the plywood lids on the privy tanks, as the of any problems that have to be fixed at the next visit.
stain was peeling. Thus, we plan to bring a replacement pulley cable for the
The other privy to be visited was the Alec Kennedy Fry privy door, replace a rotted board on the Darling-
shelter. We normally obtain permission to park on the ton picnic table, and repair porcupine-inflicted damage
ground of the Diakon Outdoor Center near Boiling to the aluminum flashing around the Cove Mountain
Springs and hike to the shelter from there, a 20 minute shelter. All of these fixes, plus the work postponed due
walk. However, on that Sunday there was no one pres- to the rain, will be added to the work plans for the next
ent to grant permission, so we instead drove to Kuhn set of shelter visits.
Road and hiked in on other side trails. Instead of a 20-
JUNE 2021 HIKER HIGH POINTS • 7
Encounters Led to Six-Hike PVSP Series
Doug Schubert
Some years ago my wife Marcie and I were on a bike ride tapsco in the McKeldin area and came upon fellow MCM’ers
on the Grist Mill Trail in Patapsco Valley State Park when John Breivogel and Joan Marasciulo on opposite sides of the
encountered fellow Club member Keith Kuhlemeier, who river — John was fording to rejoin Joan. Kathy told me about
was leading a hike and had just ex- that meeting, so the North Branch
plored the St. Mary’s College ruins. I ford became the connection to plot
asked if he’d gone by the old softball a circuit hike on three sides of the
field (with its cement home plate), river, starting in the McKeldin Area,
and as he had not, we all met up at a crossing the South Branch on Mar-
later date along with fellow MCM’ers riottsville Rd. into Howard County,
Gary and Justine Reinoehl to see that going downriver to cross the Main
landmark. Branch at the Woodstock/Old Court
On this hike, we encountered a Rd. bridge into Baltimore County
mountain biker who informed us and going upriver to eventually
of a trail that goes to Ellicott City ford the North Branch into Carroll
on the Howard County side of Pat- County and the McKeldin Area.
apsco River, so we planned a hike at This 10.5-miler, became Hike #5
later date. On this one, Keith, Gary, in what would eventually be a six-
Marcie and I were able to follow the hike PVSP hike series – all with no
very faint trail all the way to Ellicott singing allowed. I thus also needed
City! Since I was very familiar with to scout three more circuit hikes for
the trails on the Baltimore County this series. The good news was I no
side, this chance encounter became longer needed chance encounters to
the connection I needed to develop a learn new routes, as I knew all of the
circuit hike on both sides of the river, trails for the remaining hikes.
starting and ending at the Oella Ave. The next hike went from the
parking lot and using the “swaying” Avalon Area upriver on the Howard
footbridge by Ilchester Rd. and the Crossing the North Branch ford in PVSP are left Leslie County side, crossed the river on
Marcuse, Doug Schubert, and Jim Lubitz. Photo by
Frederick Rd. bridge at Ellicott City. Kathy Souders the swaying bridge by Ilchester Rd.
This became my “Take It Out and returned downriver on the Bal-
Back” (a Chuck Brodsky song about how rural refuse was timore County side, crossing the river on the Gun Rd. bridge
discarded) hike. I would hand out lyric sheets and recite to Avalon. The one section new to everyone was where we
appropriate verses at different dump spots until Charlotte bushwhacked off the Vineyard Spring Trail to a forgotten spur
Lough YouTubed the song on her phone and I had to sing road where I had camped in 1968 when the Glen Artney area
it (with Chuck). A lot of people were singing the chorus the was still a campground. This 11.5-miler became Hike #1.
third time around! This 11-mile route became Hike #2 in For Hike #4, we went from the Woodstock Inn downriver
what would become my PVSP series of hikes. on the HoCo side, trying not to get lost in the spaghetti net-
Later, on an MCM hike led by Gary Reinoehl starting at work of trails from Woodstock to Daniels. We crossed the
Daniels Dam, we went to Old Frederick Rd. and beyond river on the Old Frederick Rd. bridge and then used the new
on a new trail (that’s the encounter part) to the Hollofield Dogwood Trail and the white-blazed Patapsco Thru Trail all
area. After exploring south of the Hollofield campground the way to the Old Court/Woodstock Rd. bridge river cross-
using Park Drive and doing a bushwhack to Sylvan Lane and ing. This 14-miler was the longest hike of the series. ( A spe-
Ellicott City, I had a plan for a hike that traversed both sides cial thanks to Lawrence Hunter for plotting three alternate
of the river, starting at the Oella Ave. parking lot and going routes.)
upriver through the Pickall Area, then crossing the Old Fred- The final hike, #6, was the most upriver hike of the series.
erick Rd. bridge and returning downriver on the Howard It started at Freedom Park in Carroll County and went down-
County side to Ellicott City and crossing the Main St. bridge river, utilizing many horse trails to Marriottsville Rd. It then
to Oella. No singing would be allowed on this 12-miler, crossed the South Branch and returned upriver on the HoCo
Hike #3. side to the one-mile road-walk on River Rd. into Sykesville,
I wasn’t present for the next chance encounter that led to a crossing the South Branch on the Main St. bridge and return-
hike, but fellow MCM’ers Kathy Souders, Debbie Coble and ing past the Warfield College ruins and on to Freedom Park.
Nancy Ritchie were. They were hiking the North Branch Pa- (Continued on page 10)♥
8 • HIKER HIGH POINTS JUNE 2021
H E R E & TH E RE
An impromptu cicada hotel seen and
photographed by Tom Hutchinson on On a scouting hike led by Rose Redd
an early summer hike he led. on April 1 in the Hilton area of
PVSP, a pair of church pews found
deep in the woods provided a conve-
nient spot for a break. From left are:
On a Feb. 6 hike on the A.T. starting at Pen
Nancy Richie, Rose Redd, Charlotte
Mar and heading north, Moira Baynes and
Doyle and Jane Kuehnl. Photo by
John Wickens admire the scenery. There
Kathy Souders
were about 10 inches of snow on the ground,
and as the eight hikers were the first to hike
the trail that day, it was slow going. On
arrival, the usual parking lot across from
Pen Mar was snowed-in, requiring everyone
to be creative in their parking, said hiker
Rich Palladino, who took the photo.
This piece of Photoshopped farm
machinery was seen – in its original
form – by hikers in January on a Club
hike at the Howard County Living Farm
Heritage Museum. The hike of about
a dozen members was led by Debbie
Coble. Photo by Ed Warner
Members gather for a photo on an MCM hike on Sugarloaf
Mountain on February 10 led by Chuck Randal. From left
Marc Schabb poses against a striking backdrop on an April 2-4 are: Chuck Randal, Mariayne Brodnicki, Richard Weber,
backpack trip that Rick Royer and he did to Little Schloss, White John Barrett, Jody Blatt, Kazue Wickens, John Wickens,
Rocks, and Pond Run. Photo by Rick Royer Leslie Marcuse and Dave Kirkwood. Photo by Brian Bare
JUNE 2021 HIKER HIGH POINTS • 9
ALO N G TH E T R A I L
Few People, Much Rain on Cranberry Backpack Trip
Ed Warner
Although other trails have lately been chock-a-
block with hikers, a group of Mountain Clubbers
who tackled a four-day, 32-mile backpack Memo-
rial Day Weekend in the Cranberry Wilderness of
southeast West Virginia saw very few people, ac-
cording to the trip leader Rick Royer. The trip also
included Karen Klinedinst, Gwen Mahoney and
Mariayne Brodnecki. Their route and maps are at
http://midatlantichikes.com/cranberry1.htm. Pho-
tos are located at: https://photos.app.goo.gl/AKd-
jYY4vchj2FYPz5
On the first day they saw no one at the trailhead
and, at a shelter along a forest road, just one family
with horses and two fisherman -- no hikers or back- Gwen Mahoney enjoys a peaceful moment before fording the
packers. On the second day they saw no one at the Middle Fork of the Williams River.
Little Fork parking area and only two hikers. On
the third day, they saw about five small groups total
along the Middle Fork, and on the fourth and last
day of their trip they saw a few small groups along
the Middle Fork in the morning.
The reason may’ve been the rain (though mainly
after arriving in camp with tents and kitchen tarp
setup): The first day went from sunny to light show-
ers, then more rain fell after they made camp and
continued falling through most of the night. The
next day they faced light showers while hiking, and
more rain in camp and on and off overnight. Day
three featured light showers while hiking, more rain
in camp and overnight.
The last day, their departure day, was cool and
sunny, a beautiful day.
Shown from left at the trip’s start are: Karen Klinedinst, Rick
(Special thanks to Rick Royer for his notes on this Royer (trip leader), Gwen Mahoney and Mariayne Brodnecki
trip and photos.)
♥ PVSP SERIES (Continued from page 8)
(Thanks to Kathy Souders for leading numerous hikes the series.
on the Carroll County side.) For help with the series, I want to thank everyone who
On this 12.5-mile route, I did considerable pruning of participated and congratulate series finishers Jody Blatt,
anything with stickers or thorns on the Carroll County Marcie — and me. Kathy Souders, Brian Bare and Pat-
side, and I decided to lead Hike #6 before leading Hike ty Smith have also completed all the hikes when doing
#5, so that we could get through it before the stickers their scouting hikes.
choked the trail. Thus, Hike #5 became the final hike of
10 • HIKER HIGH POINTS JUNE 2021MOUNTAIN CLUB OF MARYLAND
http://www.mcomd.org • contact@mcomd.org
OFFICERS COMMITTEE
President: CHAIRPERSONS MIDWEEK HIKE
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Vice-President: VACANT Leisure Hikers:
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Tweeners:
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Recording Secretary: Reservoir Hike Coordinator: Membership Chair, at:
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Andy Buttles Association:
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VACANT
New members for January – April 2021
AHUJA, Alka FATHERLY, Nicki LAW, Daniel SEIDLER, Caroline
ASHLOCK, Joyce FERRY, Tammy LEVI-GOERLICH, Ulrich SMITH, Catherine
ATWELL, Carol FOARD, James LISSIMORE, Lashon SMITH, Kathleen
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JUNE 2021 HIKER HIGH POINTS • 11You can also read
