From the Bethesda or Rockville area, follow Route 28 west of Rockville to Dickerson and then, after passing under the railroad bridge, take a right onto Mt. It was super clear and we could even see Rainier in the distance. From the parking area, return to the trail’s starting point at the East View parking area by hiking downhill for 0.3 miles on the access road. From the White Rocks intersection, continue on the blue trail, descending a further 0.75 miles and then taking a left turn onto a wider mountain access road. From the summit you will be able to see the veins of meltwater rivers, dirt paths and the spectacular arctic tundra, all for you to enjoy. On a clear day, I believe you can even see the snowcapped (in winter at least) Sierra! From Frederick, follow the I-270 South to the Hyattstown exit, then follow Route 109 to Comus and turn right onto Comus Road, which will take you to the Sugarloaf Mountain entrance. You’re unlikely to return home with tales of daring and derring-do, but if you happen to have an afternoon to burn or are seeking a pleasant hike in a leafy, scenic retreat that feels a million miles away from the noise and annoyances of the city, Sugarloaf offers just about the ideal getaway. A hike up Twin and Sugarloaf on the same day is a big day. This trail system is very nice. All of the trails in the mountain’s network are open daily, year-round, from sunrise to sunset (no permit required). Great trail. If you’re planning a little hike at Sugarloaf and you choose the Blue Trail from the downloaded map, be sure to show the relief map to someone who can interpret one: The Blue Trail is not a flat “crown” around this little mountain. The Sugarloaf Mountain loop (a variation of the Northern Peak Trail Loop) is doable year-round, but the optimal time for a visit is when all those wildflowers are in full bloom, usually from late April to early June. Sugarloaf Mountain is a “small” and obscure peak outside of Colorado Springs just west of Cheyenne Mountain. You’re in the right place! You can expect to see more moderation into the weekend. Ultimately, Roosevelt was dissuaded by Strong and instead opted for a spot on nearby Catoctin Mountain, where he was to build what we now know as Camp David. From the overlook, turn right and continue east to where the blue trail meets the white-blazed trail (roughly 200 yards) and then turn left. Views are beautiful and it’s quite easy besides the steep areas. Another flirtation with fame occurred when President Franklin D. Roosevelt contemplated using Sugarloaf Mountain as the site of his presidential retreat. Mount Sugarloaf is an 800 foot mountain in South Deerfield and is one of the tallest points in central Massachusetts. A good bit up hill for the first half to warm you up. Begin your hike at the trailhead off of Big Bay Road north of Marquette. Very nice! This unique mountains stands apart from the rest of the upland and is instantly recognisable by its conical shape. Take the dirt Sugarloaf Mountain Road 1 mile to the large parking area for the Switzerland Trail. Maps for the area are available at the City Hall in Anacortes, as well as the bookstore, the two bike shops in town, and the Mount Erie grocer, which you … Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. Turn right onto the blue-white trail and continue for just under half a mile to the West View parking area, avoiding the white trail that veers off to the right. Great hike! No bug issues, saw a couple of woodpeckers and an owl only the way up Sugarloaf. With four circuit hikes and three summit area trails each varying in length and difficulty to choose from, there is a path for every hiker to explore. The view at the Mt Erie lookout was amazing. Add Your Trails. The mountain is open every day of … View on a foggy day View from the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland Below, we’re going to run you through the need-to-know for hiking on and around Sugarloaf Mountain, from a few handy gear tips right through to trail options and what you can expect to find on your hike. ), Not the most challenging trail (but there’s nothing to stop you from doing it twice!). Sugarloaf is a popular peak to hike because it has stunning views of the north country forest and mountains. Trails in Sugarloaf Mountain - 7. Sugarloaf Mountain is the prominence visible in the piedmont as it rises out of the plains southeast of Frederick MD. 0.2 mi 0.4 km #1 Red Trail (Monadnock Trail) Easy/Intermediate. Then you will quickly gain even more altitude then enter on treeless tundra and finish your ascent to the top of the mountain. The view is awesome! Sugarloaf Mountain and Mount Erie Loop Trail is a 4.7 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Anacortes, Washington that features a lake and is rated as moderate. I started where I stopped but didn’t realize I wasn’t recording. Trail is in great shape, except for a tree down. Get a different perspective of Rio de Janeiro and one of its most iconic attractions on a guided hike and climb up Sugarloaf Mountain. Sugarloaf Mountain is a small mountain with beautiful scenery in Frederick County, Maryland, just north of the Montgomery County line.The mountain is privately owned by Stronghold, Incorporated, a non-profit corporation, and is open to the public for hiking, horseback riding, and picnicking. After another 200 yards, the white trail forks left and the blue trail to the right. From Washington, head north on I-270 to the Hyattstown exit, pass under I-270 and then follow Route 109 to Comus before taking a right onto Comus Road and continuing to the Sugarloaf Mountain entrance. There’s also a small picnic area off to the side of the parking lot if you want to eat your packed food after the hike. Temperatures this afternoon will range from 8 to 10 degrees at the summit, remaining right around 15 degrees at the base. Just a short drive from the trailhead, the Sugarloaf Mountain Vineyard offers regular wine tasting and great nosh (post-hike visits recommended over pre-hike!). The reason why I like this hike so much is because of its diversity in scenery. There is also an access road leading to the top but the trail is well kept and well worth the hike to the top. Saw lots of mushrooms on the way up Sugarloaf Mountain was first climbed by Weldon Heald in 1938 and the peak was named after its resemblence (whatever that means). The first, Wells Cave Track , is a technical hike with as much rock scrambling as walking. Some short very steep inclines Brave a 20-meter high vertical wall, and enjoy magnificent views from different lookouts. The east side of Twin is easier than Sugarloaf, but the west side (i.e. Sugarloaf Mountain is a small outlier of the Appalachian Mountains that pokes out of the Maryland Piedmont just high enough to offer incredible views of the surrounding terrain. Urbana, MD Easy/Intermediate. Hiking Sugarloaf Mountain The ascent to the top of Sugarloaf consists of steep trail hiking, easy rock "scrambles" and a vertical pitch of rock climbing. Got there at 1040 on a Sunday and found parking just fine (but the morning was foggy and cold so that probably kept ppl home). Returning due east, descend on the red trail for 0.3 miles to the intersection of the blue-blazed Northern Peak Trail and the McCormack Overlook. Sugarloaf acquired its name on account of the resemblance early hunters and pioneers thought it bore to the conical sugar cakes used to sweeten food and drink (i.e ‘sugar loaves’) back at the time of early European settlement. Great view, but pretty buggy. If you’re up for it, it’s a fantastic single mountain hike. Beautiful trail, nice elevation gain, almost like stairs towards the top. We’ll run you through the need-to-know for hiking on and around Sugarloaf Mountain. In the early 20th century, Chicago businessman Gordon Strong bought both the mountain itself and much of the surrounding terrain. A 5.8-mile, easy hiking loop on an established, waymarked route with 1,640ft of elevation gain. We ended up getting lost trying to follow the picture we had taken of the map since the service isn’t good there. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. From here, veer left for 100 yards to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain. I set out late in the day, but these trails are pretty easy and one could hike around the whole park in a day easily. I’ve also put on 50 lbs and was able to complete this loop. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until November. from Pecoy Notch) is more difficult and intense. The Blue Trail loop is a five-mile hike, but you can adjust your … Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Follow the blue trail (marked ‘B2’) to the next intersection with the yellow and purple trails. Hike: moderate hike, mostly covered in trees. A lot of bald eagles at the top. This is a great hike if you have moderate physical capabilities. Marquette is full of excellent hikes and beautiful views. From the parking area at East View, the trails starts off on a dusty and fairly steep incline for 0.3 miles on the orange-blazed trail until reaching an intersection with the red-blazed trail. Sugarloaf’s prominence of 800 feet above the Piedmont Plateau not only makes it a prime lookout over the plains below, but also lends its predominantly quartzite upper portions a more imposing profile than its modest height of 1282 feet would allow elsewhere. It was a great hike. Sugarloaf Mountain Natural Area, Marquette County . The most notable and common of these include whitetail deer, flying squirrels, red foxes, eastern cottontails, raccoons, great horned owls, pileated woodpeckers, wild turkeys, red-shouldered hawks (see below! It’s a rocky and root-crossed path with … You will be begin hiking in thick brush on steep terrain. To the north (-west), you can see as far as the eye can reach. This 8,917-foot peak, with its distinctly conical shape, can be seen from many locations in town. Parking: reached around 8:30AM - lots of empty spaces The summit of Mt. In 1947, Strong set up a trust to maintain the trail system and facilities at Sugarloaf Mountain, and to this day the trust stands as a rare of example of harmonious and effective private ownership of an area of natural beauty and public interest. Soldiers wounded during these battles were treated in a log cabin that still stands at the foot of the mountain to this day. Lots of options for exploring. I'm 27, in good health, but had ACL surgery last year, and was able to complete this hike in just over 2 hours. As of June 08, 2020, users have reported that the road to Erie Mountain is closed but access is still available via Sugarloaf Mountain. Although a mere geographical blip compared to its towering neighbors to the southwest, it nonetheless boasts enough historical, geological, and ecological intrigue to make it more than just a nice spot for a decent workout. Bit up hill for the first half to warm you up should come early so you space! 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