Bootjack Spring–Catoctin Trail, 5 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 1,161 ft · 2 hr 21 min
Bootjack Spring–Catoctin Trail, 5 sights is a 5.3-mile out-and-back in Gambrill State Park near Mountain Laurel Estates, MD. The route reaches Bootjack Spring. It climbs 1,161 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 55/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Bootjack Spring–Catoctin Trail, 5 sights
5.3 mi · ▲ 1,161 ft · 2 hr 21 min
Elevation 729–1,640 ft
Out & Back · Gambrill State Park
Trailhead: Stoner Road (closed) · 39.49042, -77.47437
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:12 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Rocky-Stream Bed Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading W.
- 350 ftBear left onto Catoctin Trail, heading W.
- 1.2 miTurn left onto Catoctin Trail - Yellow, heading W.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Catoctin Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Green - Black, heading S.
- 450 ftPass Bootjack Spring.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Black Locust, heading SW.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Black/Yellow, heading SW.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn right onto Yellow Poplar, heading SW.
- 2.2 miBear right onto Kubla Khan, heading NE.
- 150 ftContinue straight onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading NE.
- 250 ftBear left onto Rocky-Stream Bed Trail, heading E.
- 0.5 miArrive 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 1.8 mi in (~68 min). Leave by 5:44 PM for the 7:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:11 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Stoner Road (closed) Trailhead
- Spout Spring–Fishing Creek Reservoir, 10 sights 11.4 mi · ▲ 2,386 ft
- Catoctin - Black - Green–Catoctin Trail, 4 sights 6.2 mi · ▲ 1,584 ft
- Catoctin Trail & Rocky-Stream Bed Trail 3.9 mi · ▲ 809 ft
- Spout Spring–3 Saws, 5 sights 4.5 mi · ▲ 971 ft
- Kubla Khan & Rocky-Stream Bed Trail via Yellow Poplar 3 mi · ▲ 860 ft
- Catoctin Trail–Kubla Khan, 5 sights 5.3 mi · ▲ 946 ft
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