Steve Kempler

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AT: WOLFSVILLE RD TO RAVEN ROCK SHELTER – 11H

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

An out and back along the Appalachian Trail for a total of 11 miles going north from Wolfsville Road (MD-17) to Raven Rock Shelter. Total elevation is about 2,400' with the longest climb of 600' over 0.8 miles. There are several rocky areas and one unbridged stream crossing. Our pace while hiking will average 2.5 […]

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

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

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, where we will explore nearby trails, before settling down for lunch. Then we return. Total climb: ~2100 feet, […]

2023 Patapsco FUN Series – Day 1 – Woodstock – Volunteer Opportunity

Hike Leader:
Steve Kempler

Go to registration at: https://x.gldn.io/e/0tCH30BRayb DESCRIPTION Kicking off the 2023 Patapsco Fun Series in the Woodstock area of the park! Pre-registration only. Warning, there is a 3-mile hike to the work site!                Purpose Helping build and maintain over 240 miles of trail in one of the country's largest […]

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

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

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 1 mile, 400 foot ascent, followed shortly […]

PICNIC HIKE – PATAPSCO STATE PARK/PICKALL -12H

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

This 11.5-12 mile hike starts at Pavilion 708 in the Pickall Area, crosses through Pickall and on to Dogwood Road.  It then follows the Alberton Trail west along the Patapsco River.  After 2+ miles, we head uphill.  After lunch, we loop down to the Double Trouble Trail, back to Dogwood Road, and onward to Pavilion […]

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 […]

Shenandoah: Big Rock Falls, Rapidan Camp, Dark Hollow Falls – 9M

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

Startings at the Big Meadows Wayside, we walk the Rapidan Fire Road, then head downhill on the Mill Prong Horse Trail.  We pass Big Rock Falls on the way to Rapidan Camp (President Hoover’s get away).  Then we head back uphill, jump on to the Mill Prong Trail, and continue onto the Appalachian Trail (Northbound).  […]

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

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

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 1 mile, 400 foot ascent, followed shortly […]

AT: WASHINGTON MONUMENT STATE PARK TO ANNAPOLIS ROCK – 12H

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

Join us on this last Wednesday Hard Hike of the year, a 12 mile out-and-back hike on the Appalachian Trail. Starting at Washington Monument SP, this trek crosses I-70 before ascending to Annapolis Rock for lunch. Total climb: ~1900 feet, including a 1 mile, 500 foot ascent. No stream crossings. Our pace while hiking will […]

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 […]