Absolutely love sunrises when hiking or biking….

My friend T and I went to Gunpowder State Park along Jerusalem Rd. in Kingsville, MD this morning to check out the trails that rise and fall along the Gunpowder River. We were wonderfully surprised by the well-maintained trails (the Gunpowder and Hobbes trails) that formed a nice circuit for us to master in the coming weeks.

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, I would place this loop at a strong level 2. A few steep pitches and knobby roots make the trail challenging enough to encourage you to come back for more and attempt to do the entire loop without stopping.

According to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Gunpowder Falls State Park comprises nearly 18,000 acres in Harford and Baltimore counties, boasting more than 100 miles of trails. One of the great things about the Gunpowder is that it runs long, yet narrowly, throughout north/central MD, from tidal marshes and wetlands to steep, rugged slopes.

Once you discover the Gunpowder, there are literally years of outdoor experiences for the novice to the expert. Hiking, biking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking — the Gunpowder has it all.

For me, it’s perfect because I can go alone for the solitude, enjoy a trip with friends, or take my family for a day of fishing and picnicking.

The Jerusalem Mill, which is where we started our bike trip this morning, offers plenty of trails, a museum, educational events, and period re-creations that are fun for the entire family. For more information about upcoming events, go here.