Roadtrip, Day 18...Cat Rock

Day 18

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

    Sunrise, such as it was from the motel.

      After packing up the room, it was time to head north up Hwy 15.  First stop, he Utica Mill Covered Bridge.  It was originally build elsewhere in 1850.  When it washed away in a storm in 1889, the townspeople simply collected all the pieces and rebuilt it here.     

    Today was all about Cunningham Falls State Park.  The park is an easy half hour drive from Frederick.  

     The first trail was obviously going to be to the waterfall.  From the parking lot, it's a ln easy mile to the falls.  The Cliff Trail was a more difficult mile and a half back.

     Like I said, pretty easy.  There's a platform at the end of the trail.  Not the best view.

    I worked my way around the platform, wary of the sign.  Because we all know crossing the streams is bad.

     There's another viewing platform on the other side.  It's a long drive around to the other lot, but it's wheelchair accessible. Nicely done Maryland Parks Department.

    While I was working my way back to the official trail, I met a local woman.  She hikes in the park a great deal.  She told me the falls were a light trickle ten days earlier.  This was the benefit of a whole lot of rain the previous week.

      While the Falls Trail was mostly gravel. The Cliff Trail was a mile and a half you earn.  I was looking forward to boulders and a few overlooks.

    As you can see, I did get the big rocks.   Just no scenic overlooks.

     Since I was near the lake anyway...

     The second trail was supposed to be the Misery Trail to Cat Rock.

    I drove up and down the park road.  There was a pullout by the dam...

     Just no pullout or visible trailhead for the Misery Trail.  Plan B, just do the whole trail from the Cat Rock trailhead.  Easy enough.

    Sure it's only a mile and a quarter.  But, it's a steady climb.

     The lingering effects of the rain left long stretches of mud and occasionally flowing water.  It just made for a slow hike.  

   Getting close...

       The trail ends at these boulders...

    Yes, I did climb up, leaving my pack and polls below.

       I've been to Lincoln Rock in Washington State.  I've been to Elephant Rock in New Mexico.  They distinctly looked like Lincoln and an Elephant.

     Cat Rock was just a pile of big rocks.

     On the way down, I passed the juncture for the Misery Trail.  

    Part of me wanted to follow it just to see where it actually came out.

     On the other side of Hwy 77 is Catoctin Mountain Park.  It's run by the National Park Service.  The hiker from this morning had suggested the Chimney Rock Trail.  My knees were already starting to protest, so I chose the easier Thurmond Overlook Trail.

      It's an easy half mile climb over a mostly smooth surface.

     The view from the overlook...

      It was mid afternoon when I left the park.  The roadtrip rule of non chain restaurants brought me to Mountain Gate Family Restaurant.  It was exactly what you think, in the good way.

     The placemat was an advert for next week's annual Firemen's Carnival.  I only mention it because... Elvis.

     My home for the night was the Super 8 in Thurmond.  Much nicer than the previous one.