We are changing the location of the Sunday, March 27 hike after it came to our attention that the pack has just recently hiked Lake Frank in January. 

 

The new hike will take place at 1 p.m. at Little Bennett Regional Park. Park at the parking lot on the east side of Clarksburg road. Take the marked crosswalk across Clarksburg Road to the trailhead. Please be careful crossing the road to the trailhead. The hike is a combination of a few different trails. A map is attached and directions are below. This is the same hike assigned in December 2020, when we were doing hikes on our own. It will be nice to do it as a group.

 

Hike Directions: The start of the trail is across Clarksburg road from the parking lot. Head west for about 0.2 miles. At the T-junction, turn left heading southwest on the Beaver Valley Trail. Continue for another ~0.25 miles, and you will cross a small footbridge. Right after the bridge, turn right on the Mound Builder Trail. You'll pass some giant earthen mound colonies of Allegheny Mound Ants. Stay on the trail to avoid any damage to their homes. Continue west on the Mound Builder Trail and as it turns into the Bennett Ridge Trail. 

 

You'll loop around the Woodcock Hollow Trail southwest until it reconnects with the Bennett Ridge Trail. Take the Bennett Ridge Trail south until you hit the Little Bennett Campground. Walk through the campground and take the Big Oak Trail on the east side of the campground. Take Big Oak north to Acorn Hollow to Beaver Valley back to the parking lot.
 

Parts of this trail can be quite muddy, so bring appropriate footwear and clothing. The trail is a natural surface, so strollers are not advised.

 

Hike Map: Attached below and linked here if you have access to All Trails https://www.alltrails.com/explore/trail/us/maryland/beaver-valley-and-bennet-ridge-loop-trail

 

Parking: Kingsley Mill Parking Lot  https://goo.gl/maps/imkm9dinWrLsnHZL6

 

Park Website: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/little-bennett-regional-park/little-bennett-regional-park-trails/ 

 

Remember:
- Leave no trace
- Stay on the path
- Do not run, be careful with leaves on the ground
- Be prepared for any weather
- Bring water and a snack.
- Enjoy the outdoors and Have Fun!!!

 

If you and your scout during the past few days have already completed the Lake Frank hike we notified on Monday, let us know and we will still count that toward your hiking miles. If you complete the Little Bennett hike outside of the group hike in the month of March, please let us know no later than March 28 for it to count toward their mileage prior to the camping trip.

 

Sorry again for any confusion. We will send a reminder a couple of days before the hike.