Gambrill State Park

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Gambrill State Park
Maryland State Park
Country United States
State Maryland
County Frederick
Elevation 1,549 ft (472 m) [1]
Coordinates Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. [1]
Area 1,165 acres (471 ha) [2]
Established 1934
Management Maryland Department of Natural Resources
IUCN category V - Protected Landscape/Seascape
Nearest city Frederick, Maryland
Location in Maryland
Website: Gambrill State Park

Gambrill State Park is a state-owned, public recreation area located near the City of Frederick in Frederick County, Maryland, in the eastern United States. The state park's stone overlooks were built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and offer dramatic views of the surrounding area.[3]

Location

The park is approximately 51 miles (82 km) northwest of Washington, D.C. and 53 miles (85 km) west of Baltimore on Catoctin Mountain. Gambrill Park Road is located approximately six miles (10 km) away from Frederick on Route 40 West. The park road traverses Catoctin Mountain, and accesses the campground, the trailhead, and the High Knob areas of this park.

History

Gambrill State Park gets it's name from the story of James H. Gambrill Jr. (1866-1951).[4] Mr. Gambrill was a grain farmer and active participant in early Frederick City Politics. James Gambrill Jr. was a conservationist and enjoyed spending his free time exploring the nearby mountains. James Gambrill believed that it was in the public's best interest to establish this portion of Catoctin mountain as a park. [5] In the 1930s, Gambrill gathered some of his business associated in efforts to purchase the land, now known as the park, in order to donate it to the city of Frederick. In 1934, the city of Frederick then donated this land to the state of Maryland, where they dedicated the state park to Gambrill himself. [6] A majority of the buildings and structures in the park were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC) during the depression. The Tea Room is an example of the CCC's craftsmanship. [7]

Activities and amenities

The park has several hiking trails and is a popular destination for area mountain bikers. There is also a picnic area with a playground and a small pond for fishing.

Overlooks

Three native stone overlooks, strategically located on the 1600-foot (490 m) summit of High Knob, midway between the Mason–Dixon line and the Potomac River, offer views of the surrounding area. On a clear day, looking north, a visitor can see the rugged tree-covered mountains of the Frederick City Municipal Forest. Looking south, one can see Crampton's Gap, a Civil War landmark and the site of Gathland State Park, and the Middletown and Monocacy Valleys. South Mountain, where many engagements between Confederate and Union troops took place during the Civil War, can be seen to the West.

Trails

Gambril State Park hosts several hiking trails that go up and through Catoctin Mountain. Each trail is blazed, and each is maintained by a different area volunteer group. Descriptions below are adapted from the official trail guide offered by the State of Maryland.[8]

  • White Oak Trail - white blaze (1 mile – 1.6 kilometers) This trail is open only to hikers (no mountain bikes).
  • Red Maple Trail - red blaze (1 mile – 1.8 kilometers) This trail connects the campground area with the rest of the park. One short section of the trail is somewhat steep. The trail is maintained by The Trail House, an outdoor store in Frederick.
  • Green Ash Trail - green blaze (2.0 miles – 3.2 kilometers) There are several steep slopes and very little level ground on this trail. The trail is maintained by Wheel Base, a bike shop in Frederick.
  • Black Locust Trail - black-on-white blaze (3.3 miles – 5.3 kilometers) This trail features several steep slopes mixed with fairly level areas. This trail truly shows the beauty of Gambrill State Park from its wooded slopes to the views of both Frederick Valley to the east and Middletown Valley to the west. The trail is maintained by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, West Virginia Chapter.
  • Yellow Poplar Trail - yellow blaze (7.1 miles – 7.4 kilometers) The longest of the Gambrill Trails. Hikers who have several hours can enjoy the beauty of nature. Bringing you up the mountain and out into the far reaches of the park, the trail passes two stone overlooks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. The trail is maintained by M.O.R.E. (Mid-Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts).
  • Catoctin Trail - blue blaze (26.5 miles – 42.4 kilometers) This trail traverses Gambrill State Park for approximately 3.0 miles (4.8 km), and continues north through the Frederick City Watershed, Cunningham Falls State Park, and Catoctin Mountain Park (CMP). The trail ends at Mt. Zion Road, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) north of Owens Creek Campground in CMP. Along the trail within Gambrill State Park, camping is permitted only at the Rock Run Campground.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ http://www.fredericknewspost.com/z/content_type/features/the-man-behind-the-founding-of-gambrill-state-park/article_f61399b4-0baf-5e86-8419-79674cefea15.html
  5. ↑ http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/gambrill.aspx
  6. ↑ http://www.fredericknewspost.com/z/content_type/features/the-man-behind-the-founding-of-gambrill-state-park/article_f61399b4-0baf-5e86-8419-79674cefea15.html
  7. ↑ http://dnr2.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/western/gambrill.aspx
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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