Steve Kempler

Hikes from this hike leader

Today
  • APPALACHIAN TRAIL ACROSS MD SERIES – US 40 to POGO CAMPGROUND – 8.5M+

    Hike Distance:
    8.5 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate Plus
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    An out and back hike of a total of 8.5 miles going north from US-40 to Pogo Campground with side trips to Black Rock and Annapolis Rocks. Total elevation gain is 1,500' with two long climbs of 500' over .9 mile. Pace averages 2.0-2.5 miles per hour. Please type 'Trailhead' or 'Carpool' on your RSVP, […]

  • WOODSTOCK EAST, HOWARD COUNTY SIDE – 10M+

    Hike Distance:
    10.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate Plus
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us on this ~10 mile hike starting at the Woodstock Inn parking lot, and heading up the hill (East, down river) on a hike that meanders through the blooming Spring-time hillsides above the Patapsco River.  We’ll return on a leisurely walk along the river. Several rock-hopping stream crossings, including two that are a little […]

  • Change In Start Location: AT: KEYS GAP TO BLACKBURN TRAIL CENTER – 13H

    Hike Distance:
    13.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Hard
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us on a pleasant stroll on the Appalachian Trail that starts at Keys Gap parking lot, and crisscrosses the Virginia/West Virginia line several times until we reach the turnoff for and descend down to Blackburn Trail Center. We will eat lunch before hiking back up to the AT and retracing our step, back to […]

  • CUNNINGHAM/CATOCTIN – 11H – Updated

    Hike Distance:
    11.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Hard
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us on this ~11 mile, meeting at the Catoctin Visitor Center before carpooling to Cunningham Falls State Park lake parking Lot.  Our hike will start at the lake parking lot, trek past the Falls, meander up to Cat Rock, cross over to Catoctin Park, ascend to Chimney Rock, Wolf Rock, and Thurmont Vista, before […]

  • CUNNINGHAM/CATOCTIN – 10M+ Updated

    Hike Distance:
    10.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate Plus
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us on this ~10 mile, meeting at the Catoctin Visitor Center before carpooling to Cunningham Falls State Park lake parking lot.  Our hike will start at the lake parking lot, trek past the Falls, meander up to Cat Rock, cross over to Catoctin Park, ascend to Chimney Rock and Wolf Rock, before coasting down […]

  • ROCKBURN BRANCH PARK/PVSP – 7.5M

    Hike Distance:
    7.5 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    This 7-8 mile loop hike will begin on trails in Rockburn Branch Park and then quickly cross over to the nearby Avalon section of Patapsco Valley State Park. The hike has numerous moderate stream crossings and rolling hills. There will be about 1200 feet of ascent, and our pace while hiking will be about 2.5 […]

  • SHENANDOAH: Updated: APPALACHIAN TRAIL FROM BIG MEADOWS TO ROSE RIVER LOOP TRAIL – 9M

    Hike Distance:
    9.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Change in Direction:  After scouting the trails, I found that the Hazeltop Summit did not have the terrific views as expected.  In fact, it had no view!  The trail at, and near, the summit was thickly tree lined, with nothing to see except the narrow trail ahead... and behind.  But all is not lost. Instead […]

  • AT: SOUTH MOUNTAIN INN TO CRAMPTON GAP SHELTER – 13.5H

    Hike Distance:
    13.5 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Hard
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Last non-holiday Wednesday hike of the year Join us on this ~13.5 mile out-and-back hike on the Appalachian Trail. Starting at the South Mountain Inn, this trek crosses over Lambs Knoll and past White Rock, before descending to Crampton Gap Shelter for lunch. Then we return. Total climb: ~1900 feet. No stream crossings. Our pace […]

  • PVSP ORANGE GROVE/AVALON PERIMETER MORNING HIKE – 9M+

    Hike Distance:
    9.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate Plus
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us for one more hike in 2024, New Year's Eve Day Morning! (Start the New Year early) An ~9 mile circuit hike around Orange Grove and Avalon Areas. After meeting at Rockburn Branch Park, we cross over to PVSP to start our loop, crossing Cascade Creek before heading downhill. We will pass Cascade Falls, […]

  • AT: SOUTH MOUNTAIN INN TO PINE KNOB SHELTER – 11M+

    Hike Distance:
    11.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate Plus
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us on this 11 mile out-and-back hike on the Appalachian Trail. Starting at the South Mountain Inn parking lot, we will hike North past Washington Monument SP, cross I-70, and on to Pine Knob Shelter, before settling down for lunch. Then we return. Total climb: ~1900 feet, including a 1 mile, 400 foot ascent, […]

  • IN PVSP MCKELDIN AREA – 8M

    Hike Distance:
    8.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    We will be meandering over the many trails in McKeldin. Nice water views and good, but not long hills. Less than 1000 feet elevation. Hiking pace: 2.0 - 2.5 MPH. Lunch at McKeldin Rapids. Dress warm!

  • PVSP: GLEN ARTNEY/HILTON AREAS – 12.5H

    Hike Distance:
    12.5 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Hard
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Starting at the Soapstone Trail Head, we will take a pleasant early Spring stroll on the trails: Soapstone, Santee, Buzzard's Rock, Grist Mill, Forest Glen, Nun's, and Vineyard Springs, to mention a few. Forest greening should have begun. A few rock hopping stream crossings. ~1500 feet of elevation rise. 2.5-2.75 MPH.

  • A Friday Hiking Opportunity: MCM Appalachian Trail Forever Stamp Dedication Hike – 7M / 11H

    Hike Distance:
    11.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Hard
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    The Boonsboro Appalachian Trail Community Advisory Committee and Boonsboro Economic Development Commission will be hosting Appalachian Trail Forever Stamp dedication and unveiling. Event is scheduled for 11:00 AM at Washington Monument State Park (WMSP). Thus, we will depart from the I-70 parking lot, off Route 40 (near where the AT crosses I-70) at 9:15 AM. […]

  • PVSP: Glen Artney/Hilton/Orange Grove Areas – 11M+

    Hike Distance:
    11.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate Plus
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Starting at the Soapstone Trail Head, we will take a pleasant Spring stroll on the trails: Soapstone, Santee, Pigs Run, Grist Mill, over to Bloede Dam, back to Grist Mill, to Vineyard Springs, to mention a few. Forest greening should be in full swing. A few rock hopping stream crossings. ~1300 feet of elevation rise. […]

  • PVSP: AVALON, ORANGE GROVE, GLEN ARTNEY – 7.5 M

    Hike Distance:
    7.5 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    This hike begins at the Avalon Area Orange Grove parking lot, ascends to the Ridge Trail, descends to the footbridge, crosses the footbridge, ascends to the Santee Branch Trail, descends to Lost Lake, and crosses back to the parking lot. Needless to say, we will be doing some ascending, descending, and crossing. Pace averages 2.5 […]

  • WOODSTOCK EAST, BALTIMORE COUNTY SIDE – 11.5H

    Hike Distance:
    11.5 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Hard
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us on an 11.5 mile hike, starting in Woodstock, as we wonder the trails, on the Baltimore County side, heading East.  We will enjoy rolling hills on lesser traveled paths, hiking in lush hillsides, along rocky streams, and with great views, as well as a tranquil walk along the Patapsco River.  Several very minor […]

  • WOODSTOCK EAST, BALTIMORE COUNTY SIDE – 10M+

    Hike Distance:
    10.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate Plus
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us on an 10 mile hike, starting in Woodstock, as we wonder the trails, on the Baltimore County side, heading East.  We will enjoy rolling hills on lesser traveled paths, hiking in lush hillsides, along rocky streams, and with great views, as well as a tranquil walk along the Patapsco River.  Several very minor […]

  • WOODSTOCK EAST, BALTIMORE COUNTY SIDE – 8M

    Hike Distance:
    8.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Join us on an 8 mile hike, starting in Woodstock, as we wonder the trails, on the Baltimore County side, heading East.  We will enjoy rolling hills on lesser traveled paths, hiking in lush hillsides, along rocky streams, and with great views, as well as a tranquil walk along the Patapsco River.  Several very minor […]

  • Canceled SHENANDOAH: CIRCLE STONY MOUNTAIN – 10M+

    Hike Distance:
    10.0 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate Plus
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    Starting from Big Meadows Lodge, we hike to Dark Hollow Falls, then take the high road to Stony Mountain Trail, climb to the Rapidan Fire Road, turn on to the Mill Prong Trails (with a side trip to Big Rock Falls), and run into the Appalachian Trail.  We then head north past Tanners Ridge Cemetery, […]

  • PVSP: AVALON, ORANGE GROVE, GLEN ARTNEY – 7.5 M

    Hike Distance:
    7.5 Miles
    Hike Difficulty:
    Moderate
    Hike Leader:
    Steve Kempler

    This hike begins at the Avalon Area Orange Grove parking lot, ascends to the Ridge Trail, descends to the footbridge, crosses the footbridge, ascends to the Santee Branch Trail, descends to Lost Lake, and crosses back to the parking lot. Needless to say, we will be doing some ascending, descending, and crossing. Pace averages 2.5 […]