MNPS Field Trip: Orchids and other flowers at Catoctin Mountain Park (Saturday)

Sponsoring Organization: Maryland Native Plant Society

A moderate walk in the morning along the Falls Nature Trail and back

to see Spring wildflowers and emerging Ferns as well as crossing over

into the state park to see Cunningham Falls. Lunch about noon at the

Chestnut Picnic area with some wandering either before or after. A

carpool to the saw mill parking lot to view Showy Orchis and other

plants growing near the campground entrance along the edge of the

road. Several other short location stops with several possible

surprises if time permits.

Leader: Joe Metzger

FREE, BUT ONLINE REGISTRATION IS REQUESTED. No limit.

Notes:  Restrooms at Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor Center. No restrooms on site.

Bring: Field guides, water, lunch, binoculars if you like, insect repellant, sun or rain protection.

Cancellation Policy: We will go in drizzle or light rain but the trip will be canceled in the event of heavy rain or storms.

Contact: (for additional information; not to register)  Joe Metzger, preferred method joemetzger65@gmail.com. Cell phone 240-285-3925 by voice or text on the day of the field trip.

Directions:  Meet at the Catoctin Mountain Park Visitor’s Center.

From Southern Maryland: Go into Washington and follow the beltway around to I 270. Go to From the Washington area. or Go to Annapolis and get on MD 32. Go to From areas between DC and Baltimore.

From the Washington area: get on to I 270 and go north to Frederick. When you get to Frederick stay on the road, I 270 ends but the same road then becomes US 15. Go to From Frederick.

From areas between DC and Baltimore: find your way to MD 32 and follow it west and then north to I 70. Get on I 70 going west toward Frederick. Go to From the Baltimore area.

From the Baltimore area: get on I 70 and go west to Frederick and get off where it says to US 40 and US 15. Go to From Frederick.

From Frederick: follow US 15 to the MD 77 exit in Thurmont and head west. Go to From Thurmont.

From Harford County or the northern parts of Baltimore and Carroll Counties: get across to MD 140 in Reisterstown and follow it west to Westminster. Go through Westminster to MD 31 and turn left toward New Windsor. At the second light (less than a mile), turn right onto MD 77 and follow that through the countryside and several small towns to Thurmont and go all the way through Thurmont. Watch out for speed traps in the small towns. Go to From Thurmont.

From Thurmont: MD 77 runs between Catoctin Mountain Park and Cunningham Falls State Park. Go several miles and you'll see the sign for the Visitor's Center and Park Central Road. Turn right onto Park Central Road and almost immediately right again into the parking lot.