Oregon Ridge (Cockeysville, Md)

Already, I have been putting off writing something about my hikes. I don't know if it's because the last hike I did with a group was so disappointing (another hike, another story) or if I am just that lazy. I'm thinking a little bit of both, but I need to get over it.

So without further ado, I'm going to share my trip to Oregon Ridge on Sunday, September 14th.

Sunday was a beautiful day-- breezy with a little bit chill in the air and the taste of fall. C and I woke up early and ventured to Oregon Ridge which is near Baltimore, an hour or so drive from our home. The trip was uneventful, we drove through DC on 295 to the BWI parkway. Then, we went around Baltimore to Cockeysville, MD via I-695. Once we turned left on Beaver Dam Rd from Shawan Rd, we made an immediate right between a general store and barn thing.

Waiting for the trip to start

We met up with a Meet-up group, the Mid-Atlantic Hiking Group (MAHG), in front of the Nature Center at 9am. Wayne, the hike leader, and his dog led the way on a splash hike that would be absolutely amazing during the late spring and summer time. There were no real bridges besides the first one after leaving the Nature Center.

Oregon Trail System

After leaving the Nature Center, we crossed the bridge and turned right onto the Red Logger's Road Trail, a easy trail through some of the native tree land.

My camera doesn't like movements

We stopped at an Overlook on the Red Logger's Trail to strip out of our jackets and get a drink while gazing onto an amazing view out of the park. The temperature had risen a little by that time, so we were comfortable under the canopy of the trees. 

We turned onto the Yellow blazed trail and began the hike in earnest. There were plenty of hills and ridges (gasp! who knew?) that made our breathes quicken, but the pace was manageable and Wayne was amazing at allowing people to catch up. After about 20 minutes or so, we managed to get to the first of many stream crossings. Wayne let his dog off leash so that he can cross and to see him frolicking in the water was rather amusing. 

Wayne showed us a little pond which was a little bit off from the main Yellow Trail. I could hear the water bubbling from the pond, down a little brook, and into the streams that we were walking through. The water looked black and stagnant, but there was a minute current that kept the bugs away.

Pond

Brook with tiny waterfall

We walked up a ridge, gasping for breath, to find a little area of cut grass that was our trail. We followed it until we got to a spot where there was a chain blocking our way. Fortunately, we were able to navigate passed the chain, through the graveyard of the picnic tables and grills that were thrown there for the winter haphazardly, and up another little incline. Finally, we found this beautiful little overlook. One of the group members said that the Park we were in tried to turn it into a mini-ski/sled ramp that didn't work out.

 Finally, we ended where the swimming beach was. It was closed, since Labor Day has passed, but it was still rather scenic. We took a group picture in front of the lake and dawdled around, climbing on the floating docks that were tied up along the shore. Then, we all gathered around the rules sign to have a good laugh. Apparently, you weren't allowed to do anything there -- no inner tubes, no music, no frisbee or jumping, no martinis! Actually, it was a sign that had a martini with a circle-backslash symbol to stand for no alcohol. Guess that means no James Bonds?

So Green and clear!

Overall, it was a nice hike. An easy side of moderate due to the rolling hills. The trails were blazed and had signs pointing in case you got lost and there were plenty of flora and fauna to gaze at. We scared a few deer with our talking, but it was fun watching them jumping over themselves to get out of the way. I saw no fish, amphibians, or turtles, but I know they had to be somewhere. 

There's fungus among us!!!

Anyone know what these are?

I definitely would like to go back, maybe in the late spring. Would love to walk around in water shoes and get my feet wet. A wonderful little splash hike available not to far from DC or Baltimore.