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Hiking
Location Patapsco Valley State Park, Hollofield Area, 410-461-5005
Old Ranger Trail
Trail Access The trail begins along the road to the park headquarters. Park in the park headquarters parking lot and walk down the road past the power lines. The trailhead will be on your left. To reach the park headquarters from the Baltimore Beltway, take exit 15 for Route 40 West. Travel approximately 2 miles on 40W to the park entrance on your right. Follow signs to the park headquarters.
Distance The trail is 1.5 miles roundtrip
Time 1-1.5 hours
Skill Level Moderately difficult
Suitable For Families? Yes, with older children
Hazards/Restrictions Pets are not allowed in this area. Alcoholic beverages are permitted at the picnic tables only in the nearby Hollofield Day Use Area. Sturdy boots are recommended due to some rocky sections of the trail.
Potable Water Water and restrooms are available nearby in the Hollofield Picnic/Day Use Area until sunset.
Natural Features This circuit hike is in the wooded piedmont hills above the Patapsco River gorge. It begins in a young forest of mostly tulip poplars, then crosses sections of fairly open forest that are former fields growing over with white pine, multi-flora rose and other shrubs. The trail crosses a power line providing distant views and climbs a hill to a radio tower, entering a more mature forest of oak, hickory and ash. These trees provide a cathedral-like effect as they tower above and cover an old roadbed, which the trail follows. Understory trees include spicebush and witch hazel. The power line and open forest areas provide opportunities to view migratory songbirds.
Historic/Cultural Features The trail visits a radio transmission tower. This tower's location was once the site of a fire watchtower during the 1940's. Women were employed by the Maryland Forest Service to staff several fire towers in the central region of Maryland. When they saw smoke or lightning strikes, they would take a compass bearing from the tower and call in the location of the district forester. The fire lookouts would keep forest fire fighters informed on the progress of the fire.

The hills along this trail tower above the Patapsco River gorge. The Patapsco River gorge was once a major industrial area during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries. The river's falling waters provided waterpower to turn gears of many kinds of factories. Most of the mill towns were company-owned.

Although camping is enjoyed today in a developed campground in the Hollofield Area, primitive campsites were available by permit during the park's early years in the hills surrounding the river as early as the 1910's. Rangers on horseback, commissioned as forest wardens, patrolled the park and checked the campsites, planted trees and located and put out forest fires.
Guiding None
Camping Campgrounds are located at the Hollofield (Route 40 in Ellicott City) and Hilton (off Rolling Road) areas of the park.
Other Points of Interest Canoeing is an option in the nearby Daniels Area. Picnic areas and shelters are located in the Hollofield Day Use Area. Other nearby trails visit a small pond and the Union Dam on the Patapsco River. Fishing for trout is a popular activity in the river. Nearby the Ellicott City historic district offers antique shops, gift shops and restaurants. The B&O Railroad Station Museum and the Firehouse Museum are two interesting stops there that appeal to families. Across the river in Oella is the Benjamin Banneker Park.
Other Accommodations Hotels/motels are located along Route 40 in Ellicott City.
Service Charges or Permits A service charge of $2 per person is collected at the Hollofield entrance gate. Pavilions and shelters have rental fees (picnic tables outside of shelters have no charge).
Description This circuit hike is in the wooded piedmont hills above the Patapsco River gorge. It begins along the entrance road to the park headquarters. The trail starts in a young forest of mostly tulip poplars, then crosses sections of fairly open forest that are former fields growing over with white pine, multi-flora rose and other shrubs. Soon the trail comes to a junction with arrows pointing both ways to the radio tower. This trail makes a loop. Take either direction and you will return to this sign. By staying left you will visit more open forest before ascending to the tower. By turning right you will cover some rocky, semi-steep terrain on a downgrade before adjoining an old dirt road bed that ascends to the tower. The trail crosses a power line several times along the route, providing distant views. Along the roadbed, mature forest of oak, hickory and ash towers overhead. Its canopy creates a tall cathedral-like affect that is quite scenic.


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