Raven Rock Hollow To Pen Mar

Brief Description of Section
The partial ascent of Quirauk Mountain from the north is the most strenuous on the A.T. in Maryland, while from the south it is somewhat easier. The main points of interest are concentrated in the northern half of this section.

Maps

Map 1	Map 2	Map 3

Road Approaches

To reach Pen Mar: From US 15, take MD 550 (Sabillasville Road) west. Turn right at entrance to Ft. Ritchie, staying on MD 550. Shortly after, turn left and pass under trestle. A sign at this turn says “Pen Mar Park.” Turn right onto Pen Mar Road. (To reach Pen Mar Park, continue straight ahead.) Cross into Pennsylvania and over railroad tracks. The A.T., going south, follows the powerline right-of-way on left. There is room for two cars to park on the right side of the gate here. Do not block gate! Distance is 71 miles from Washington, D.C.

From I-81, take MD 16 east. Turn right onto MD 418 and left onto Pen Mar Road. The A.T., going south, follows the powerline right-of-way on right just before bridge over railroad tracks. See above. Distance is 4 miles from Waynesboro.

To reach Raven Rock Hollow: From I-70, take MD 66 north. Turn right onto MD 64 and right onto MD 491 (Raven Rock Road). A.T., going north, ascends from stop sign at intersection with Ritchie Road on left. There is room for four cars to park on the shoulder of Ritchie Road. Distance is 2.8 miles from Smithsburg.

From US 15, take MD 77 west. Turn right onto MD 64, then see above.

Points of Interest
Pen Mar Park (at 0.2/5.6 mi.) has an outstanding westward view. A former resort, established by the Western Maryland Railroad, was in operation on this site between 1877 and 1943. Vestiges of former habitation can be seen just south of the park. High Rock (at 3.2/2.6 mi.) offers an excellent westward view and is a popular site for hang gliding. Devils Racecourse (0.4 mi. down the Devils Racecourse Shelter Trail, at 4.9/0.9 mi.) is a remarkable boulder field. Raven Rock, an unusual outcrop, is visible from MD 491 between autumn and spring.

Shelters and Campsites
Devils Racecourse Shelter (0.3 mi. down the Devils Racecourse Shelter Trail, at 4.9/0.9 mi.) accommodates seven persons and has a spring nearby.

Free camping is allowed just outside Pen Mar Park (at 0.2/5.6 mi.). Follow the paved promenade 0.1 mi. through the park to High Rock Rd. 

Camping is permitted in the two fields bounded by High Rock Rd, Chestnut St, Pennsylvania Ave, and Walnut St. Saturday-night campers must leave by 9 a.m. Sunday morning. No public water is available November through April. During these months, it is advisable to call 301-791-3125 during working hours. Camping is prohibited except at the above locations. Open fires are allowed only where fireplaces are provided.

Supplies, Services, and Accommodations

Water is available at Pen Mar Park (May through October) and Devils Racecourse Shelter. The park also has a pay telephone.

Trail Description, South to North

0.0     From end of guard rail (on south side of MD 491) cross road diagonally to right and enter woods. A.T. ascends through mixed forest with some hemlocks.

0.1     Raven Rock, an unusual jutting cliff, is 40 yds. to right with views down Raven Rock Hollow.

0.9     Devils Racecourse Shelter Trail, blazed blue, descends right 200 ft in 0.3 mi. to shelter and spring. (Unblazed trail beyond shelter leads 0.1 mi. to Devils Racecourse, a remarkable boulder field, and another 0.1 mi. to Ritchie Rd.) Ahead Trail passes through a beautiful open forest containing a few hemlocks, an unusual growth on a ridge crest.

1.7     Open forest ends as undergrowth becomes denser.

1.9     Local high point and highest elevation of A.T. in Maryland (approx. 1890 ft) on southwestern slope of Quirauk Mtn.

2.3     Bear left onto old forest road.

2.6     Turn left off old forest road. (Blue-blazed High Rock Loop Trail, straight ahead, leads 0.1 mi. to High Rock and rejoins the A.T. at mileage point 2.7 mi. High Rock has a spectacular view and is a popular hang-gliding site. Stone foundations and modern cement platform mark site of former pavilion. Paved road leads 1.7 mi. directly down to Pen Mar Park. Road is gated from dusk to 9 a.m. Room for 15 cars to park at High Rock. At parking lot, Loop Trail turns left, reenters woods and descends to mileage point 2.7.)

2.7     High Rock Loop Trail reenters from right. Continue straight. In next 0.5 mi. Trail descends 440 ft, crossing several steep rock fields.

3.2     Trail passes between two large boulders and to left of another. Trail becomes very rocky ahead and path is not always obvious. Follow blazes carefully.

4.3     Cross unused forest road. (Paved High Rock Rd is 0.15 mi. to right.)

4.5     Cross unused forest road which leads right 0.16 mi. to gated High Rock Rd.

4.6     Cross clearing for buried cable. (Clearing leads right 0.12 mi. to High Rock Rd.)

4.7     Large mound on right, with 3-ft high stone wall on trail side, encloses a deep pit, probably an artificial pond at one time. Many vestiges of former habitation in this vicinity. About 100 yd ahead and 50 ft to left are ruins of brick-lined cellar foundation; 20 ft to left are ruins of root cellar.

4.9     Cross unused forest road which leads 0.3 mi. right to High Rock Rd.

5.3     Turn left descending and in 40 yd turn right on old rail bed.

5.5     Enter grassy area of Pen Mar Park. Outstanding westward view. Trail continues straight. (To right of central park path are rest rooms, unused snack structure and Visitors Interpretive Center, with pay phone inside. Water fountains are on exterior of rest room and snack structures. Park facilities are open May through October, 9 a.m. to sunset. After sunset use portable toilets located beside rest rooms. Hikers may camp on town common, directly outside park entrance. Parking lot entrance is gated in evening.)

5.6     Exit grassy plateau area of Pen Mar Park, still on old rail bed. About 30 yd beyond gate, near bottom of grade, turn left onto gravel road used by railroad maintenance crews; cross rail line.

5.8     About 50 yd after crossing railroad track, sign on left marks Mason-Dixon Line (now Maryland-Pennsylvania state line) and end of Section 1. In another 0.1 mi. Trail crosses Pen Mar Rd. Pen Mar Park is 0.4 mi. to right and Rouzerville, PA is 2.0 mi. to left.)