Mar 4, 2007 - 6th Training Hike
Oregon Ridge Park, Baltimore County, MD
Time of Hike: 8:00 AM
Distance Hiked: 4.0 Miles
Temp During Hike: Low 35.6 °F High 37.4 °F
Elevation Change: 250 Ft
Friday it was 62 degrees in the Baltimore area and Saturday it was 59 degrees but we hiked on Sunday so we were greeted with the cold and wind we have become accustomed to in the last month of hiking. Temperatures in the 30’s almost feel warm to us now, plus we were going to end our hike at the annual Oregon Ridge Nature Center pancake breakfast so our spirits were high when we left the Nature Center parking lot.
Even though this wasn’t our longest hike it was one of our more technical ones so far. Near the beginning be hiked straight up the old ski slope so within a quarter mile we went 250 feet up the ridge. From there we hiked along the top for a while before descending back down for three wide stream crossings. To complete our loop we made our way back up to the top of the ridge and finally back down the ski slope which by this time had thawed out and become slick and muddy.
There was history to be seen along the trail. At the top of the ski slope were large cement structures that at one time probably held the mechanics that pulled skiers up the hill. Farther down the trial was an old man-made pond and beside it a tree that had grown around a rusty old No Swimming sign.
Our hike ended at the Oregon Ridge Lodge where we enjoyed fresh pancakes with maple syrup made at the park, live music, and a very amusing man raffling off a bobcat puppet.
 About Oregon Ridge Park
Oregon Ridge Park is owned and operated by Baltimore County Maryland. It was once a ski resort but not anymore since Maryland doesn’t get enough consistent snowfall to make it worthwhile. Today you can hike and swim at the park as well as attend concerts and learn about the natural would at the Oregon Ridge Nature Center. Every year in the spring they tap the maple trees in the park and make their own maple syrup to serve and sell at their fundraising pancake breakfast.
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Hike For Discovery
Greg Palmer
