Catoctin Blue

Closest Major City: Frederick

Distance: 10.50 miles (16.89 KM)

Description:
From the Gambrill Park parking lot follow the Blue Trail. At the intersection of trails go right and continue following the Blue Trail. Keep to the right and head up the mountain. This is a steep climb and it comes at you very fast. At about 1.5 miles you'll get to the top. At a Y, stay left and then make a quick right to stay on the Blue. At a dirt road go right then left off the road onto the trail again. Make sure your suspension is dialed in at this point. YEAH - here comes some steep and gnarly singletrack to descend down! This downhill section is just over a mile long. At about 2.8 miles you'll be at the bottom On your left cross the creek and start climbing the Blue trail again. This climb is about 1.5 miles of gut wrenching small ring climbing - enjoy! Continue on the Blue trail and find a dirt road at 5.5 miles. At 6 miles find Gambrill Park road , this one is paved. Even though it's paved, Gambrill road is a nice break from the climbing you've just done. At 9.25 miles find Black trail just before the lookout. There should be a sign here for the trail. Take a left onto the Yellow/Black trail and stay left descending. Turn right near the road and head back crossing Gambrill Park Road. This will take you to the parking lot.

Directions to the trail:
Frederick, MD is about 50 miles from both Baltimore and Washington, D.C. From Frederick, take Route-40 West to Shookstown Rd. which you'll follow until making a right onto Gambrill Park Road. Park in the first lot about a half mile up the road