Black Locust–Powerline Trail, 3 sights
4.5 mi · ▲ 541 ft · 1 hr 46 min
Black Locust–Powerline Trail, 3 sights is a 4.5-mile out-and-back in Gambrill State Park near Phelps, MD. It climbs 541 ft, with sections as steep as 18% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 32/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Black Locust–Powerline Trail, 3 sights
4.5 mi · ▲ 541 ft · 1 hr 46 min
Elevation 1,411–1,759 ft
Out & Back · Gambrill State Park
Trailhead: Yellow Poplar · 39.46461, -77.49725
Weather Sep 21: sunrise 6:57 AM · sunset 7:11 PM
Drinking water at the trailhead
- Start on Yellow Poplar, heading E.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Black Locust, heading N.
- 50 ftBear right onto Yellow Poplar, heading N.
- 50 ftBear left onto Green Ash - Yellow Poplar, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Yellow Poplar, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading NW.
- 1.3 miTurn left onto Powerline Trail, heading N.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading N.
- 150 ftReach Black Locust, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Yellow Poplar, heading SE.
- 1.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Green Ash - Yellow Poplar, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Yellow Poplar, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left onto Black Locust, heading S.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Yellow Poplar, heading S.
- 350 ftArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.5 mi in (~45 min). Leave by 6:06 PM for the 7:11 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:04 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Drinking water at the trailhead
More from Yellow Poplar Trailhead
- Huggy Bear–Lawn Mower, 5 sights 7.6 mi · ▲ 761 ft
- 3 Saws–Catoctin Trail, 4 sights 7.4 mi · ▲ 1,388 ft
- Bootjack Spring–North Frederick Viewpoint Loop, 5 sights 1.8 mi · ▲ 569 ft
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Hikes near Phelps, Maryland