Wolfsville Rd to Raven Rock Hollow

Brief Description of Section
This section is geographically interesting in that it crosses two small ridges that form a curious, right-angle interruption in the South Mountain range. These ridges extend southeastward and link with the Catoctin range. The excellent footing will come as a relief after either adjoining section, but the extremely steep hill at the powerline will be very hard on backpackers going either direction.


Maps

Map 1	Map 2

Points of Interest
Powerline right-of-way offers a spectacular view (at 2.6/0.9 mi.)

Shelters and Campsites
Camping and open fires are prohibited in this section.

Supplies, Services, and Accommodations

Water is available from springs at 0.8/2.7 mi. and at 3.4/0.1 mi.

Trail Description, South to North

0.0     From Wolfsville Rd (MD 17), follow nameless gravel road as it descends then ascends. Stay on road.

0.1     Signed side trail leads right 100 yd to stone-enclosed spring that provided water to nearby abandoned house.

0.3     Pass between two garages for house to left and follow road into woods.

0.4     Cross clearing for powerline, then bear left and follow far edge of clearing.

0.6     Bear right from powerline and ascend hill, now following clearing for natural gas pipeline. At top of hill descend steepest grade of Maryland AT.

0.9     At powerline pylon bear right as Trail enters woods. (Spectacular view to NW from pylon clearing.) Descend very steeply with rocky footing.

1.1     Cross polluted tributary of Grove Creek and ascend very steeply.

1.2     Pass under overhanging rocks, then circle to top of impressive outcrop.

1.3     Cross MD 77 (Foxville Road) at entrance to rod and gun club on right. Ascend driveway between house on left and trailer on right. In 50 yd bear left off driveway.

1.5     Pass house and garage on left.

2.3     Cross clearing for powerline. No view.

2.4     Bear left where old forest road continues straight. In 50 yd cross another old forest road.

2.5     Descend very steeply.

2.7     Pass spring on left behind hemlocks and ford tributary of Little Antietam Creek. (Don’t take water from creek.) In 50 yd turn left onto Warner Gap Rd (gravel). In 50 yd turn right off road and ascend into woods.

3.0     Local high point on east slope of Buzzard Knob. Abandoned trail on left led to Buzzard Knob which no longer has view.

3.1     Cross 4-ft thick stone wall. Ahead Trail passes through dense growth of young hemlocks, lumbered in 1941.

3.2     Pass 8-ft deep hole on left and a similar hole on right in 40 yd, probably remnants of the former lumbering operation.

3.5     Cross Little Antietam Creek (flowing through Raven Rock Hollow) and soon ascend road embankment and reach MD 491 and end of section. (To continue on Trail, at end of guard rail cross MD 491 diagonally to right and reenter woods.)