GREEN RIDGE STATE FOREST, MARYLAND
Out in the Alleghany foothills of
Western Maryland, where the country is lush and the history rich, lies the 46,000 acres of Green Ridge Forest State Park. It’s somewhat dry, so most of the year you can be sure to fi nd fi ne weather for riding. The Forest stretches from the banks of the Potomac River up to the top of Town Hill, which at only 2,000 feet means the trails aren’t going to require a marathon eff ort or years of experience. The trails roam through dense oak and hickory forest, but along the ridgelines, and where there are breaks in the trees, you’ll get beautiful views from a number of lookouts and vantage points. Even though you don’t face long,
tough climbs, expect the trails to be challenging, with tight switchbacks and scrambles, and plenty of water cross- ings—this is not the place to bring a
horse that doesn’t like water! With the variety of terrain and the passing views, you certainly won’t get
bored. If winding, rolling forest trails start to wear out you or your horse, take an easy day and ride the 30 miles of the C&O canal towpath, for an easy, fl at ride, with plenty of passersby and tourist barges to keep you entertained—just make room for the tow mules!
The rich forest makes it hard to believe
this area was once nearly barren, with hardly a tree to be seen. Mining, timber harvesting and apple orchards once decimated the area, but decades of care- ful management have restored the State
Forest back to its original form. Now you can fi nd many unusual plant species, such as wild ginger, blazing star and even prickly pear cactus, as well as many wild birds and mammals. As you ride, keep an eye
out for relics of the area’s colonial heritage. The forest was known for an innova- tive steam-powered sawmill, the Carroll Furnace, or at least it was innovative back in the 1830s.
The Pine Lick Trail takes you right to the
Mason-Dixon Line, or check out the Log Roll Trail to see where the timber farmers used to roll heavy logs down to the canal.
MAIN TRAILS
»The Green Ridge Trail is a 24-mile out-and-back route, clearly marked the whole way. Other forest trails in- clude Pine Lick (6 miles), Long Pond (8 miles), Deep Run (7 miles) and Log Roll (7 miles), all with historic features and varied terrain. There is also a 12-mile mountain bike trail (stay alert!) and the 30-mile C&O Canal towpath.
MAPS
»The best map is the Green Ridge State Forest Trail Guide, available in the forest visitor center.
FACILITIES
»There are over 100 campsites spread out over the 46,000 acres of the park. The horse camp comprises sites 55-79, 86-88 and group sites 3, 4 and 6. There’s not much at the sites, but it has a great view from the scenic overlook and there is an Adirondack shelter.
BRING NON-RIDERS?
»Sure, there’s plenty to do. The network of creeks and rivers are popular for canoes and fi shing, and there are plenty of trails designated for OTVs and mountain bikes. For the more relaxed non-rider, there are plenty of historic sites in the area, and a ride on one of the C&O Canal barges is always worth the trip.
CONTACT
»Green Ridge State Forest, 28700 Headquarters Dr. NE, Flintstone, MD 21530-9525, (301) 478-3124.
DIRECTIONS
»The park is located in eastern Allegany County, about 22 miles east of Cumberland, off I-68 at Exit 64.
Summer is a British qualifi ed instructor now living near Seat le. Her lifelong love of horses led her to try diff erent disciplines around the world - she’s worked
cat le, shown gaited horses and galloped rac- ers. Her fi rst love is just to get out and ride, and she’s explored trails across America and Europe, and in Egypt and Turkey.
62 June | July 2010 •
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