Well…this has turned out to be a hiking week BUST!
I had two hikes planned this week for the Maryland Trail Dames, one for Dames looking for a challenge and one for beginning hikers. Both, yes, both got cancelled due to the weather!
On Wednesday, I had scheduled an 8.5 mile loop hike at Catoctin Mountain Park. This is a strenuous loop which allows hikers to visit Chimney Rocks, Wolf Rock, Thurmont Vista, Hog Rock, and Cunningham Falls. It is a beautiful stretch of trail. On Tuesday, like much of the eastern seaboard, a weather system brought in snow. It wasn’t very much snow, like 3 inches, but it froze overnight when the temperatures dropped into the teens. This would make the steep climbs absolutely horrendous for those of us without microspikes. On Wednesday, winds also became a factor with wind chills dropping to near zero. So SLASH, SLASH, and it was cancelled. So disappointing. 😦
But this is what we would have seen if we would have been able to go! 🙂
Chimney Rocks
Today, Saturday, I had planned a nice gentle hike for Dames at Worthington Farm (part of the Monocacy Battlefield). When I scheduled the hike I imagined warm spring breezes, sunshine and spring flowers popping up along the trail. In my head I could see the river flowing in a lazy fashion while birds flitted about singing to each other as they built their nests. But NO, we have to endure this outlandish rainy weather that has resulted in flood warnings! Guess hiking next to the river was out of the question. SLASH! Another one bites the dust!
However, let me just give you a little glimpse of what delights awaited us if we could have gone!
View of Baker Valley
I am so bummed! Just itching to get out with the Dames on an adventure! Our next hike is scheduled for April 12 at Sky Meadows SP in Virginia.
If you are on the trail that day and see a bunch of women having the time of their lives, then stop and say hi! Guaranteed that bunch would be us!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
But you know what would be even better (if you are a woman over 18)? You could join us! http://www.meetup.com/Maryland-Trail-Dames/
Hike on!
Girl Gone Hiking 
Sometimes the weather just makes the challenge impossible. Spring is indeed coming and all those views await the patient.
This has been a frustrating winter for our hiking group! We are about getting women out on the trail who might not otherwise go…don’t want to scare them off! But better weather awaits!
What are the trail dames? Would love to get involved somehow with you all.
@ejhnstn Trail Dames are a great group of women! You get more info at http://www.traildames.com, click on chapters. I lead hikes for the Maryland chapter.