Seneca Ridge Trail
Seneca Ridge Trail
16500 Black Rock Road
Germantown, Maryland.
Contents |
Trail Overview
The Seneca Ridge Trail is a new trail recently completed that connectsSchaeffer Farms to Seneca Creek State Park. The trail is currently approximately 6 miles each way.
Trail Difficulty
The terrain is a mixture of what you find at the parks this trail connects. You have fast flowing single track, roots some rocks and expect some log and creek crossings (although most creeks have been bridged). There is a great deal more climbing on the Ridge Trail, some estimates are coming in at nearly 1400 feet from Schaeffer to Seneca Creek State Park. (My recent round trip including some Seneca Creek State Park came in at about 2200 feet round trip.
There are some of the best views of any of the area trails on the new connector from atop the ridge. Unlike many new trails in the area this trail has been mostly hand cut, as a result it's much tighter single track and has a very different feel than other recent trails and routes.
Check out the MORE Forums for the latest information. MORE
Park Hours
Schaeffer Farms is open from dawn to dusk so this trail will likely be as well.
Directions
I270 to Exit 15B (Rt 118) South toward Germantown. Go approximately 3.0 miles and turn right on Germantown Park Drive. Continue down Germantown Park Drive until you reach the traffic circle. Continue around the traffic circle until the 3rd Right (Schaeffer Road). Continue on Schaeffer Road approximately .6 miles, and make a Left. The trailhead is at the end of the parking lot.
Conditions
Other nearby trails including Schaeffer resistance moisture poorly. Being a new and well designed trail this new connector may hold up better but time will tell once it is open.
National Weather Service Forecast
Local Weather Underground Station 1
Local Weather Underground Station 2
Schaefer 24-hour trail condition message line: 301-924-1998
Routes
In order to pick up the trail from Schaeffer, start out on the white loop going clock wise. Stay on the traditional white loop (Not turning off for the half pipe section) Ride until you reach the drive way crossing near Black Rock Road. Ride out to and down Black Rock road until you reach the old paper mill. The trail head is across from the mill.
- Note the new trail from Schaefer down to black rock road is open. Looks for the new flagged trail between the log play ground where one of the skinnies used to be and the the utilities easement. **
The Seneca ridge trail is well defined and an out and back. To get into Seneca Creek state park from the end of the ridge trail you can either cross riffle ford road and pick up the single track for a fun extension containing some great ups and downs or you can take a left travel a short distance down the road and the hook a ride into the double / track gravel entrance. From there you can pick up several trails including the white which is Mink Hollow and will carry you into the park proper.
media:Activity_108418699.gpx - This gpx file contains an out and back along the trail leaving from Schaeffer. It also includes some Senneca Creek State park.
Park Fees
N/A
Local Advocacy
Trail Advocacy is handled primarily by local IMBA chapter MORE:
Local Police and Fire
Emergency: 911
Montgomery County Police and Fire (Non Emergency): 301-279-8000
Park Watch: 1-800-825-7275
Map
Photos
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
