Gunpowder Falls State Park – Baltimore Magazine

Starting the New Year on the Right (and Left) Foot

Ron Cassie — Fri, 30 Dec 2016 14:55:00 +0000

Kudos to Blue Hills State Reservation in Massachusetts, which hosted the first, First Day Hike in 1992—the start of an outdoors tradition that has swept across America’s state parks over the past quarter-century.

In Maryland, First Day Hikes this Sunday literally stretch the breadth of the state, from Assateague State Park and Wye Island on the Eastern Shore to Swallow Falls State Park in Garrett County. Not in shape? Not to worry. These hikes are short—generally 1- 2 miles—meant as an introduction to Maryland’s state parks as much as an opportunity to get the New Year off to a healthy start.

In Baltimore County, Patapsco Valley State Park hosts two First Day Hikes, including the Orange Grove History and Cascade Falls Trail Hike, which will be lead by the Maryland Conservation Corps and include a local nature lesson—plus coffee and cider afterward. The park’s other hike leaves from the McKeldin area in Marriottsville and traces the Plantation Trail.

The Friends of Jerusalem Mill will host a hike through nearby Gunpowder Falls State Park, leaving from the blacksmith shop there. At North Point State Park, Maryland Conservation Corps members will lead a hike down the scenic Black Marsh Trail, offering opportunities for bird watching (binoculars suggested) and some history about the old Bay Shore Amusement Park and trolley car powerhouse.

Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area in Owings Mills will also host two First Day Hikes, including a 7:15 a.m. sunrise jaunt, which begins at the overlook just north of its visitor center, and then an afternoon history trek that includes discussions about the nearby Red Dog Lodge and former Choate Mine.

“Volunteer Jimmy Johnson is a former mining engineer and gives an amazing talk about the Choate Mine, which dates back to the 1800s, and the area’s geology,” says Soldiers Delight ranger Jamie Petrucci, adding that more than 1,110 Marylanders participated in First Day Hikes last year.

“The Patapsco hikes, in particular, are mobbed when the weather cooperates,” Pertrucci said. “I’m expecting a good turnout this year.”

To his point, the forecast for New Year’s Day is fantastic—sunny, with a high of 50 degrees.

A complete listing of the Maryland state park First Day Hikes, including directions and time, can be found at the Department of Natural Resources website.

State parks are not the only venue offering First Day events, however.

The Friends of Druid Hill Park are hosting their fifth annual First Day Hike—this one is longer—a 6-mile loop on the park’s paved surfaces that starts with coffee, hot chocolate, and bagels at the Rawlings Conservatory. The $10 fee benefits the free programming offered at the Druid Hill Farmers Market.

“We get some people who are shaking out the cobwebs [from New Year’s Eve parties],” Tom Orth, with the Friends of Druid Hill Park said with a laugh. “And we have some people who’ve made a resolution to get the year off to a healthy, outdoors start. We also get people who have family visiting and bring their relatives who are in town—people who don’t want to sit in the house all day—and also people who just want to understand the park better.”

The Friends of Gwynn Falls/Leakin Park are hosting two events—a First Day Walk and a First Day Bike Ride, which includes rides of four, seven, and 23 miles.

And, for the jogging inclined, there is the annual Patterson Park 5K Run Resolution Run/Walk, which benefits Earl’s Place, a transitional home for men experiencing homelessness.

Signups are available on race day for the Resolution Run, which doesn’t kick off until 2 p.m.—so plenty of New Year’s Eve recovery time if need be to get the year off to a good, if late, start.

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Talk Shop: 24 Hours of Booty; Treason Toting Co. Opens in Fells; Barre at Gunpowder; Yoga for Holy Frijoles

Jenna Stover — Fri, 19 Aug 2016 14:17:00 +0000

24 Hours of Booty
24 Hours of Booty is back for its 9th consecutive year in Columbia. The biking event which hosts more than 400 participants pedaling for 24 hours to raise money for the Ulman Cancer Fund and cancer research will be held on August 20-21 from 2 p.m.-2 p.m the following day. Riders are able to participate individually or on a team and will have access to a campground or “Bootyville” to hang, relax, grill, and maybe take a little nap when not on the bike.

Local fitness favorite REV Spin Studio will have a team at the event led by team captain and director of operations Nick Rodricks—and they are ready to ride for the cause. “My grandfather was a cancer survivor numerous times,” says Rodricks. “So this is very close to me. It’s a good opportunity to get out of the studio and set some goals for a great cause.” Donations to support Team REV can be accepted here. 7001 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, 21046

Treason Toting Co. Opening
If you think you have baggage, you haven’t seen anything yet. With it’s grand opening on August 6, Treason Toting Co. has hit Baltimore with stride. Amidst the ongoing construction of the Sagamore Pendry hotel, Treason’s new Thames Street will offer the latest totes, backpacks, and wash bags all made with top-grain leather, water-resistant canvas, brass hardware, and reliable trimmings. The brand which is known for its locally made, stylish take on travel bags and perfectly meshes community with a passion for creativity. With its new beautifully designed space, the store is a must-see on your next trip to Fells Point. 1714 Thames St.

Hike, Barre, and Brunch
Earn your brunch this Sunday, August 21, with Hike, Barre, and Brunch. Work up a sweat on an 90-minute hike with segments of a pop-up barre class throughout lead by INLINE’s Katie Cook. Everyone is instructed to meet in the parking lot entrance to Gunpowder State Park on Belair Road at 10 a.m. with the hike starting promptly at 10:15 a.m. This event is free and the trail is ideal for beginners, so bring your non-outdoorsy friends, brunch-y snacks, and a couple of to go mimosas for a post-hike brunch celebration after the hike at the Gunpowder Lodge. Call INLINE Barre for more details. 410-940-9601.

Yoga Benefit for Holy Frijoles
Earlier this week, Mexican restaurant Holy Frijoles suffered a fire and, while no one was injured, smoke damaged much of the ceiling and interior. In an effort to recover, the Hampden restaurant is organizing a donation-based yoga class on Sunday, August 21 at noon in Roosevelt Park. Instructor Annette Arcenaux will be leading an hour-long mixed level vinyasa so attendees and staff can “get down to business and get centered.” 1221 West 36th St.

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NCR Trail: ‘Bike Through History’ Series Starts Wednesday

Ron Cassie — Tue, 03 Jun 2014 15:24:00 +0000

Starting tomorrow evening, and for the next eight Wednesdays, guided tours of different segments of the Torrey C. Brown Trail (formerly known as the North Central Railroad Trail) will be offered by members of the NCR/Hereford Volunteers Association. Each weekly tour tackles about 10 miles of the trail, covering specific history of the trail and that week’s location, according to a post on the Maryland Hiking and Adventuring Meetup page.

The tours are free and open to the public, with the first tour kicking off tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at the Paper Mill Road entrance to the trail. Each tour/mini-ride lasts about two hours. Tim Connor, who took the above photo, writes extensively about the trail on his blog here.

Most famously, President Abraham Lincoln rode the train along the what is now the trail to deliver the Gettysburg Address. Later, his body made the same journey on its way from Washington, D.C. to Illinois.

A map and directions to the trail can be found on the state Department of Natural Resources website.