SATURDAY
Saturday, May 31, 2025
On Saturday we hike from near the Smithsburg/Wolfsville Road to just south of Alt. US 40, an area known as Turners Gap. (GPS coordinates: N 39 37.693, W 077 33.544.) Distance hiked: about 13 miles.
Early in the day we ascend to a rocky ridge, which forms the border between Frederick and Washington counties in Maryland. We follow that ridge all day.
We’ll pass the area known as Black Rock, which has a rocky view to the west over the valley that includes Hagerstown. Shortly thereafter, we’ll stop for lunch at Annapolis Rocks, with another view to the west.
About two miles later, we cross Interstate 70 on the Appalachian Trail footbridge, then three miles later we pass through Washington Monument State Park, site of the first monument to the first president of the United States. Finally, we arrive at Turners Gap. If you are camping, you will use the hikers’ campground maintained by the state of Maryland. Among the amenities at that campground are restrooms with hot showers.
You might notice in this description we repeatedly use forms of the word "rock." Once you've hiked this section you will understand why that noun is so much on our minds.
You’re on your own for meals on Saturday. Many of the hikers go to Boonsboro, or you can dine at the Old South Mountain Inn.
Daily schedule (schedule details subject to change):
Meet at Turners Gap at 8:30 am. A few carpool vehicles will transport all the hikers to Wolfsville Road, approximately 9 am. Leave Wolfsville Road parking on foot. (The number of carpool vehicles will depend on the number of hikers. Please be willing to help, especially if your vehicle can carry several people and their daypacks.)
Noon. Arrive at Annapolis Rocks. Bring along your own lunch and snacks.
2 - 3 pm. Support vehicle with snacks and water at US-40 parking area.
3:30 - 4:30 pm. Support vehicle with snacks and water at Washington Monument State Park (address: 6620 Zittlestown Road, Middletown MD 21769).
6 pm. Arrive at Turners Gap (South Mountain Inn). If you are camping, walk through the parking lot toward the highway, and there are white trail blazes heading into the woods. The campground is a couple of hundred yards from the parking lot.
How to get to Turners Gap:
GPS coordinates: N 39 42.972, W 077 30.437.
From Frederick, take exit # 49 from Interstate 70 west. It’s the exit for Alt. US-40 toward Braddock Heights and Middletown. At the traffic light at the end of the offramp, turn left onto US-40 Alt. west. Travel approx. 11 miles and you’ll see the Old South Mountain Inn on your left. Park at the restaurant, using the parking spots farthest from the restaurant.
The street address for the Old South Mountain Inn restaurant, which can help you find your way via a mapping program or GPS, is 6132 Old National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713.