Page Type:
|
Trip Report |
|---|---|
Lat/Lon:
|
39.63200°N / 77.42855°W |
Date Climbed/Hiked:
|
Dec 31, 1969 |
Activities:
|
Hiking |
Season:
|
Summer |
Step one, the hiking party
Well my boys are here in Maryland for the week and yesterday was our day hiking on Sword Mountain. So today we let the girls join us for an entire family outing. Mark and Matt my sons, Shelynn, my fiancee, her daughters Myranda and Kailah, as well as our daughter Brianna went hiking in the Catoctin Mountain Park.
All of usThe gathering place
at Thurmont VistaWe drove both vehicles since everyone was involved and met at the parking area for the Thurmont Vista along Park Central Road. Leaving the parking area we headed for the Thurmont Vista. It was a nice easy walk with the only climb being the last little bit before the vista. After a rest, and group photos we were off on the trail crossing the ridge. The walking was pretty easy on the trail and we soon came to some bear droppings. Myranda was all about seeing the bear but wouldn't hush long enough to say so, even if we told her a million times that you'll never see anything if you dont stop talking. Needless to say we never saw a bear. We by-passed Wolf Rocks at this point to get to Chimney Rock. We had all been to Wolf Rock before but the girls had never been to Chimney Rock, so we wanted to make sure we got there.
Chimney Rock
Shelynn, Bri, and Kailah in the back
All the kids
Mark and Matt
My kids
Shelynns kidsWe soon came to Chimney Rock and had a great time enjoying the view and the rocks. Mark and Matt tried out thier skills doing some climbing on the rocks. Myranda and Kailah were trying a little more than we wanted them to...kids too much adventure, not enough common sense. After enjoying the views, the rocks, and family pics we were back on the trail heading to Wolf Rock.
Wolf Rock
The snake!Approaching Wolf Rock the boys and Myranda started heading up the rock line before the trail started. Shelynn and Kailah were already ahead of Brianna and myself. I continued on the trail till I met with Shelynn and Kailah at the side trail to Wolf Rock. There I let Kailah join the rest of the kids up on Wolf Rock while Shelynn, Bri, and Myself rested below. This hike was about the kids so we let them have their fun. After a few minutes I went up Wolf to gather the kiddies back up so we could head down. Approaching our army of children I started to step from rock to rock when the sight of a nice coiled up Timber Rattlesnake stopped me in my tracks. All the kids came down to check it out and it never moved or seemed to be bothered at all. Mark informed me that he and Myranda shortly before that had seen a Blue-tailed Skink running around on the rocks. Real neat stuff! We left our reptiles and continued the hike back to the car...all in all an incredible day on Catoctin Mountain
Exploring
A couple of videos of the boys on the rocks.Matt doing some leaping....