One in a series of 9 hikes on the Appalachian Trail across Maryland. This 8 1/2 mile moderate out-and-back hike offers two optional loops to visit Bear Springs Cabin near the half-way point, and Crampton Gap AT Shelter near the end. Starting at Gathland State Park, this hike heads north to the White Rock Overlook. Total elevation gain is 950 feet with the longest climb of 450 feet over 1.5 miles.
DIRECTIONS TO HIKE SITE:Take I-70 West to US-340 / Exit 52 at Frederick, Maryland. Head South on US-340 for 12 miles. Turn right on MD-17 and go 4.3 miles. Turn left on Main Street (Gapland Road). Go 1 mile, turn right on Arnoldtown Road, parking lot is on your left.
ADDRESS: 900 Arnoldstown Road, Burkettsville, Maryland 21718 (301) 791-4767
HIKE DESCRIPTION: Beginning at the parking lot, enter the Appalachian trail adjacent to the building ruins dated 1887. Begin a slow ascent towards White Rocks Overlook on a moderately rocky trail. Follow the white blazes for the Appalachian Trail. At the 3.5 mile mark (roughly) look for the blue blazed trail marked with a sign for Bear Spring Cabin for the optional loop down to the Cabin. On the loop return, take a right onto the short 2/10’s of a mile steep incline to White Rock Overlook. Lunch here. Return by heading south on the Appalachian Trail. At the 7 1/2 mile mark, look on the left for a blue blazed marked trail for Crampton Gap Shelter and campgrounds. Head down and loop back to the parking lot at the lower section of the campground area.
This is a moderate hike with wonderful visits to two cabins. The Bear Spring Cabin is managed by PATC which may be reserved through their website. The Crampton Gap Shelter is open to those hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
COMMENTARY: The Gathland State Park near Burkettsville, Maryland is best known for The War Correspondents Memorial Arch that was built by American Civil War journalist George Alfred Townsend. Completed in 1896, this memorial is claimed to be the only one in the world to commemorate journalists who died in battle.
The grounds of Gathland State Park was originally the estate of George Townsend and the park offers a museum, historic buildings, and a “Living History” weekend. Nearby Crampton Gap saw fighting during the South Mountain Battle, one of the first battles in the Maryland Campaign during the Civil War.
It was an early spring day and hiking along the rocky trail a variety of spring wildflowers were blooming.
After a lengthy descent, we arrived to Bear Spring Cabin for a quick respite before turning around to begin hiking back up a long and steady incline to White Rock Overlook.
After a lovely lunch at the White Rock Overlook, we headed south to return to Gathland State Park.
Nearly back to the parking lot, we took a left and headed down to Crampton Gap Shelter for a quick visit before finishing the hike. I was anxious to finish as it was promised that we would go get ice cream after our hike. Sporadic spring means that the spring flows seasonally.
This tree managed to grow around this large rock. I wonder how many years it took for it to claim its space.
Here comes the best part of the day – ICE CREAM !! Close by to Gathland State Park is South Mountain Creamery. This is a place where you literally go to the farm, watch the cows get milked and get fresh milk products straight from the cow. If you live in the area, South Mountain Creamery delivers their products to the Washington DC metropolitan area.
DIRECTIONS TO SOUTH MOUNTAIN CREAMERY: Turn left out of the Gathland State Park parking lot. Turn left on Mountain Church Road. Turn Right on Marker Road and veer left when you see Quebec School Road. Continue on Marker Road until it dead ends on Bolivar Road. Turn left and South Mountain Creamery will be on your right. Approximately 6 miles / 15 minutes and well worth the drive. ADDRESS: 8305 Bolivar Road, Middleton, Maryland 21769.
We were fortunate to arrive when it was time to milk the cows. It was like a Walt Disney ride for cows. They enter in one by one and have the milkers attached to their udders. When completed the group is released and they all rush out so that the next group of cows can enter into the milking station. I started talking to this brown cow, and she lifted up her head and really looked at me. I wonder if she thought I had cookies for her.
Of course if you are at a farm, then you know there will be a resident cat. This pregnant kitty was lounging after a binge of ice cream. Can’t say I blame the kitty. South Mountain has awesome ice cream.
TRAIL MAPS:
My Trail Map: Delorme MapShare
Everytrail: AT Across Maryland Series #4 – Gathland State Park to White Rocks Overlook 8M at EveryTrail
For more information on the park: Gathland State Park Info
Categories: Foot Prints, Maryland Area Hikes
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
Thank you for sharing this with us. Being an ice cream aficianado, I must go to that farm.
??? Thought you were there with me. Perhaps it was another Reuben.
A great post Bella. I’ve been there a couple of times but I’ve never hiked the entire section. We were geocaching and taking photos when we were there. I would love to return for the hike. Thanks for sharing your great photos and descriptions.
Thanks Mark ! I found this to be a pretty easy section of the AT, and the view at White Rock Overlook is wonderful. Of course, that long hill back up from Bear Spring Cabin always kicks my butt. I’ve only geocached once on the river at my house. It is really fun ! I would love to do more of it.
Thanks for this post, it’s really a great one… 😉
Thank you so much, and wonderful to have you stop by. Hope to see you back soon.
Love it when nature claims items – my favorite photo is the track consuming the stone – the power of tenacity.
I also found it totally fascinating. Rest well!
Great photos! Looks like a fun hike!
Great Post – Great Photos – thanks for sharing! I would love to go back to this area as an adult and explore to my heart’s content:)
wow-your work is beautiful-the first image i saw was the arch you photographed for journalists-i love when a person opens a mind to different worlds-thank you-your work is quite good and a pleasure to look at-i also enjoy nature and all that it can open us to viewing
i am new to all this blog stuff so it will take me a while to catch on-thank you for checking out my blog Will
Thank you do much for such kind and generous comments. The community here is wonderful and you get to meet such interesting people and get a glimpse into their worlds.
I know you’ll do great!
Found this by accident. great pictures, I went back there in 2010 with my wife.
I grew up there from age 3 until 18. This was my play ground and walking the trail was just a day out with friends. If there if you look towards Gapland town the house down the hill slightly was Gaths daughter house.Never mentioned in any news or notes. Was built in 1896. Why not mentioned ?
My uncle was park ranger there for a couple of years not sure of year.I move to Florida in 1966. I have been back twice .I still love it there.
If this is too much sorry first time doing this.
Marc
Hello Mark, I hadn’t heard about the home of Gath’s daughter. It’s a great place as you know. When I’m with the hiking group, they’re on a mission to get a great workout. 🙂
Hi Emily,
Long time, no see.
Yes, I led the subject hike on 4/4/12. I think that’s I among those sitting down in front of the shelter.
Reuben
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Emily,
You might relay this to your correspondent Marc: There is much information about Gapland and Townsend’s buildings in “The Blue Hills of Maryland: History along the Appalachian Trail on South Mountain and the Catoctins” by Paula M. Strain, published by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club in 1993.
Reuben
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