Steve Kempler

Hikes from this hike leader

Today
  • 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 […]

  • AT: SOUTH MOUNTAIN INN TO PINE KNOB SHELTER – 11.5H

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

    Last Wednesday Hard Hike of the year!!  Join us on this 11.5 mile out-and-back hike on the Appalachian Trail. Starting at the South Mountain Inn parking lot, we will hike North to Washington Monument SP, cross I-70, and continue on to Pine Knob Shelter for lunch. Then we return. Total climb: ~2100 feet, including a […]

  • APPALACHIAN TRAIL ACROSS MD SERIES: WOLFSVILLE ROAD TO POGO CAMPGROUND – 9M+

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

    One of a series of 9 Moderate Plus hikes on the Appalachian Trail across Maryland. An out and back hike of a total of 8.8 miles going south from Wolfsville Road (MD-17) to Pogo Campground. Total elevation gain is 700' with the longest climb of 500' over .5 miles. Pace averages 2.0-2.5 miles per hour. […]

  • AT: GATHLAND TO CRAMPTON GAP TO WEVERTON CLIFFS AND BACK – 12H

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

    Starting at Gathland State Park, a short loop to Crampton Gap Shelter back to Gathland, and then continue south to Weverton Cliffs overlook for lunch, then return.  Approximately 12 miles an elevation gain of about 2000 ft. Our pace while hiking will average 2.25 (uphills) -2.75 MPH.

  • 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 wander 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 […]

  • 2026 Duncannon AT Festival Hike – 9H

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

    Come join us on an 8.5 - 9 mile hike, in conjunction with the Duncannon A.T. Festival! We will leave at 9:30 from the Hawk Rock Parking Lot, hike up to the Appalachian Trail (AT) and head south to Cove Mountain shelter, for lunch. After lunch, we will retrace our step, but stay on the […]