Patapsco Valley State Park in May is a treat for the eyes and ears. These photos of my May 5th, Hike Like a Girl adventure feature the park’s McKeldin area, a popular place for nature lovers, bikers, hikers, horseback riders, and picnickers to spend a little time.
Marked with white, the Switchback trail is about 4 miles and is the longest trail in the McKeldin area of the park. The loop took me around 1.5 hours to hike.
The lime green leaves of spring are just starting to dominate the landscape.
Veering off of the main trail onto the footpath will allow you to avoid the bikers.
A sample of the variety in the park’s foliage.
About 3/4 miles in, the rocky path and landscape flattens.
I was surprised to find this lily of the valley patch.
The Patapsco River, which flows through 16,000 acres in Frederick and Carroll counties, calls me to “sit a spell.” With 3 more miles to go, I whisper, “next time.”
About 2 miles in, the Switchback Trail takes hikers from the river bank, up into the hills, displaying a bird’s eye view of the water down below.
This fallen tree is so big that it straddles both banks of the creek.
I eavesdropped on this feathered couple’s conversation. Soon after, they began fighting.
A little over 3 miles in and the only way left to go is up. The trail’s end was waiting for me about 15 minutes on the other side.
Out Making Memories 