Sun, Jan 24 — Black Hill Regional Park, Boyds · 3.6 mi

20926 Lake Ridge Dr, Boyds, free parking in a large lot, with restrooms at the trailhead. We're walking the Black Hill Trail, which follows the shoreline of Little Seneca Lake through mixed woodland. It's mostly paved with gentle inclines, so it holds up when everything else in the county is a mud pit — sneakers are fine for this one. January is the best month here for wildlife: the lake draws wintering waterfowl, and with the leaves down you can actually see them, so bring binoculars if you have a pair. The Discovery Center at the trailhead is free and open Sundays 10–6, and it's a warm place to duck into before or after if the weather turns. Because the trail is paved it's shared with cyclists and runners, so we'll walk two abreast and keep right.