The visitor center
Going up to instantly see beautiful forest
The trail starts here if going to Wolf Rock or further east
On top of Wolf Rock
Me on a trail run trying to race the sun before it went down
Heading west along the ridge towards Thurmont Vista
A view of Thurmont, MD in the distance
The paths near Hog Rock are really family friendly
Cunningham Falls, pictured here, is just a quick trip across Route 77 from Catoctin
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Catoctin Mountain Park

This is my go-to hike in the region when I only have an afternoon to spend enjoying the wilderness.  Located by Thurmont, MD, it’s about an hour from where I live.  This is a federal park as it has Camp David on its grounds somewhere.  When I go here these days, it is to run the trails.  However, I used to just hike them before I got into trail running.  From the visitor’s center, it’s a 5 to 7 mile loop to see all the major features within the federal park boundaries.  The most prominent of these features is Wolf Rock.  It’s the biggest and most noticeable feature, and offers a path to get on top to see deep crevasses formed by old currents of sea water.

 

Hog Rock is noted as a landmark in the western part of the loop; however, it’s not too obvious and I’m honestly not sure which exact rock it is.  Chimney Rock is notable and fun to perch atop to get a great view.  It’s a bit treacherous though.  One could also turn this into an all-day hike by connecting with the neighboring Cunningham Falls State Park trail system.  Visitors often take a quick detour just across Route 77 to see Cunningham Falls, which is quite impressive when there’s water.  However, one could continue further into the state park to a loop that reconnects with Park Headquarters on the eastern end of the loop.

 

I usually stick to the loop within federal lands.  The ascents here are challenging and there is a lot of undulation.  The trail system also offers a lot of flexibility.  It’s easy to bail on the hike as there are many opportunities to take a trail that goes directly to the visitor’s center.  The trail is well-maintained and blazed so it’s easy to navigate.  Furthermore, the trail is smooth.  There aren’t a ton of rocks and roots sticking out of the ground trying to sprain your ankle.

I tend to come here a lot when it’s raining.  For some reason, this trail doesn’t ever seem to get muddy and I can still move well.  The place also fills up with fog and there is a ethereal quality in this forest that is difficult to describe.  In simple terms, I find this to be a special place.