Patapsco - McKeldin Area

[bikerRob]

3/14/06 >> It seems no one has mentioned McKeldin in quite a while so I thought I'd throw up a post. I rode there Sunday and everything was dry as a bone. I doubt the sprinkling of rain (.02") we had last night had any impact. All the trails are very, very fast. I only wish the stream the separates McKeldin from the Woodstock Rd. Area wasn't so high so the ride could be extended. Lots of nice trails towards Woodstock Rd. and I'm sure they must be dry too. I'm tempted to bring some plastic bags along and tie them around my feet/legs just to cross the stream because I know the water must be very cold. ( I'm a wuss when it comes to cold water :-)

[Jackson]

3/14/06 >> It seems no one has mentioned McKeldin in quite a while so I thought I'd throw up a post. I rode there Sunday and everything was dry as a bone. I doubt the sprinkling of rain (.02") we had last night had any impact. All the trails are very, very fast. I only wish the stream the separates McKeldin from the Woodstock Rd. Area wasn't so high so the ride could be extended. Lots of nice trails towards Woodstock Rd. and I'm sure they must be dry too. I'm tempted to bring some plastic bags along and tie them around my feet/legs just to cross the stream because I know the water must be very cold. ( I'm a wuss when it comes to cold water :-)

Are there any trails across the river from McKeldin?

[bikerRob]

Are there any trails across the river from McKeldin?

3/15/06 >> Yes, there are trails ( across the stream ) south of McKeldin. There are no printed maps of this area. I usually refer to it as "the Woodstock Rd. Area" but it is part of Patapsco St. park and is not maintained by the park service. During the summer the stream that comes from Liberty dam tends to dry up some what making it easier to cross over; either by riding or by stepping stone. Right now the stream is a little high making the stream crossing a little wider. It's not that deep just a little wide ( about 50' est. ) Because the stream bottom is all rocks it is very hard to make it across without losing traction. Usually, I take the stepping stone approach if possible. Walking across the stream with shoes off is fine if you don't mind the cold but the walking bare-foot on rocks is not my thing, hence my idea of using bags over my shoes ( or maybe some over-sized totes )

Unfortunately I don't have a map of the trails there but to get to the stream crossing ride northwest along the trail that parallels the stream. If you see the sign that states, "Foot traffic only beyond this point", you've gone too far. Turn around and take the first trail off to your left. This will go down to the stream. Once you cross the stream bear left and "Don't take the trail that goes steeply uphill. Continue along the trail another hundred feet or so and there will be another trail bearing right that will go up the hill more moderately. This will take you all the way up to a hard road. Bear right on the road and the trail will pick up again to your right. At this point you are on your own. Explore and enjoy. Perhaps if I get the chance I'll try to get a map together to share. Once again the area sees little maintenance and is primarily an equestrian area ( by default ). Expect to see some dead-fall and some bumpy trails due to the horse traffic.

[riderx]

You can purchase the "Patapsco Valley State Park (Complete Guide)" map here (http://www.easycart.net/MarylandDepartmentofNaturalResource s/Central_Maryland_Trail_Guides.html) . It contains the unmaintained trails south of McKeldin. There's some choice scenery and a few hidden jems back there. But as Rob said, it gets a lot of horse use. This can make it muddy and bumpy. It takes longer to dry out than Avalon if you can believe that. It's a great place for exploring, especially between Woodstock and Daniels.

[RetroG]

Strange things have happened back in them woods. There's a presence.

[SuperClyde]

So...does anyone have a map? I've done a few races at McKeldin, and had a great time. Are you guys talking about the same areas as the race loop? Or are you going farther?

I've also seen the quarry back there. Looks cold and deep.

[RetroG]

So...does anyone have a map? .

I've got the map RiderX linked in the previous post. It is an excellent map and has been key to exploring areas other than Avalon/Orange Grove... I would highly recommend it.

There is an area just to the South of McKeldin, I believe it is the Daniels area. Take Old Frederick Rd, cross the river and then park at the small lot at Alberton Rd. From there, you can ride along the river for a while then hit some nice trails that will take you all the way up to McKeldin. A river crossing or 2 is necessary to get to McKeldin, but with warm weather, it's not a problem. If more people rode there, I think the horse damaged trail would improve.

Of course, you could start at McKeldin, cross the river and venture into Daniels.

The map was the key for me. Do it. Just make sure it's the map of the entire Patapsco Valley.

And don't go into the basement of old houses at night out there.

[Brizn]

Strange things have happened back in them woods. There's a presence.
Heh.. check the 4th paragraph on this site. (http://www.geocities.com/marylandbigfoot/History.html)

[Jackson]

And don't go into the basement of old houses at night out there.

Yeah - You don't want this to be the last thing you see: http://www.cinemaquiz.com/_elements/710r.jpg

[bikerRob]

Strange things have happened back in them woods. There's a presence.

Yep, I should know...Now about what Brizn mentioned...Bigfoot ! Ah, I don't know about that....although....(here I go again)...Several years ago before I joined MORE, I was out riding Avalon one night (yes, the poacher I was back then) It was late, maybe around 12:00 am. The night was very dark and the sky was filled with stars. I decided to ride along the park road (Howard Co. side) towards the dam. In an effort to maintain some stealth so no Park police would see me, I turned all my lights off and rode by star light. I was being carefull and riding pretty slow just in case I ran over something unexpectedly. Without lights it's amazing how your other senses seem to come alive. The musty smell of the river was assailing my nostrils along with the summer fora. I could make out fainty the contours of the road and could hear my tires as they rolled over the hardened gravel surface. Just when I had least expected it thats when ( I swore) that something very big had just crossed my path right in front of me! I couldn't see what it was but it was very big and moved very fast. I must of missed it by a couple feet. I rode another twenty five feet or so and composed myself enough to turn around and turn my helmet light on. What ever it was it was gone and headed up the very steep rock strewn hill. As I listened I could hear something scurrying up the hill but there was too much brush/trees to see anything. At the time I brushed the whole thing off as a deer. However, if it was a deer it was a biggin'.

[RetroG]

At the time I brushed the whole thing off as a deer. However, if it was a deer it was a biggin'.

Couldn't have been a deer. I've never seen one of them out there.