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 Reporter |
Summary: For most any hiker in the East the Appalachian Trail has a curious draw. We day dream of busting loose from the demands of work and our suburban existence, throwing the necessities of life onto our backs, and completing the arduous thru-hike from Georgia to Maine. Most of us, however, will have to satisfy such desires with just the occasional taste of the trail. This hike to Annapolis Rock is great way to do just that and it's a good, challening, hike for my 8 yr. old! The trail begins with a nice climb, getting most of the elevation gain out of the way while still fresh. The tree cover provides plenty of relief from the warm summer sun as the trail levels off and you start cooling down. About 2.2 miles in (~39.55926 N, 77.59532 W) a blue blazed trail will diverge from the A.T., heading east for just a short (<.2 miles) distance to Annapolis Rock, where you will experience some breathtaking views and great opportunities for rock scrambling with the kids! Trailhead: The trailhead is located off of Route 40, just East of Greenbrier State Park. The parking area is located on the south side of Route 40 (left side heading west, right side heading east). The only real good identifying sign is a Smokey Bear fire condition sign across from the parking area. From the parking lot, head to the West side of the lot where you will find a trail sign. Follow the blue blazes a short distance until you meet with the Appalachian Trail (A.T) near the Route 70 overpass. Turn right (North) onto the A.T. and proceed. (Lat:39.53549 Lon:-77.60353) Trail Guides for Appalachian Trail to Annapolis Rock: Appalachian Trail Guide Set #6 by PATC (PATC) MD DNR: Appalachian Trail by Maryland Department of Natural Resources (Maryland Department of Natural Resources) Best Seasons: Fall, Spring, Winter, User Groups: Hikers, Ranger Contact: Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC). 703-242-0693 Localhikes Reporter: This hike was submitted by Brian Talbert, who has posted 20 other hikes on this site. To visit this reporters web site, click here. Trail Reviews Submit your own review 
Reviewed by William on 6/10/2008 nice walk through woods, graet scenery
Reviewed by cfg on 4/11/2008 this has awesome view, plus a natural spring thats good to drink!!! camp gound right next to rock formations too!!! :-)
Reviewed by Al on 3/5/2008 About an hour hike (one way), moderate difficulty, friendly college students repelling at the rocks, bring your dog, can hike down to the bottom of the rock/ cliff
Reviewed by trey on 1/18/2007 very nice terrain, beautiful views of the surrounding countryside.
Reviewed by RWH on 9/19/2006 A good hike. One correction and one warning, however. Correction: The blue blazed, 0.25 mile trail from the AT to the rocks diverges to the left--toward the west (actually northwest)--not the east. Warning: Before hiking here on a Sunday afternoon, check the schedule for the Mason Dixon Dragway, which is in the valley about 2.5 miles to the west, to avoid a race day. The sound of the cars could be heard before leaving the AT onto the turn-off trail and the sound was annoyingly loud while sitting on the rocks. Races were run 2-3 times per minute for over 2 hours! 
Reviewed by Wolfee on 1/10/2006 Love this spot, it has everything a hiker needs in a weekend getaway. Pleanty of campsites, great views, a spring, and even a couple of privies. For a little more adventure and distance, I sometimes start my hike about 7 miles South at Wash. Monument SP.
Reviewed by WMC on 8/25/2004 This is a great little hike, that can be enjoyed by most. As stated the majority of the ascent is over in the beginning, and then levels off. The views from Annapolis Rock are very nice, and the place is a great spot to lounge for an hour or two with lunch.
Reviewed by WMcJ on 3/1/2004 Well worth the time. For an experienced backpacker this a moderate hike for the first mile and a flat ridge walk for the second. Suggest hiking while the trees are without leaves....outstanding with a couple of inches of snow on the ground! Notice: Traveling in the backcountry can be hazardous. You are responsible for informing yourself about these hazards and taking necessary precautions. Information on this web site comes from volunteer reporters and may contain errors or omissions. A current guidebook and proper equipment are essential for safe enjoyment of the hikes posted on this site. Keys: Maryland Hiking, Maryland Trails, Maryland Hikes, Washington County Hiking, Washington County Trails, Washington County Hikes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||