Catoctin Trail–Lawn Mower Loop, 5 sights
6.2 mi · ▲ 1,025 ft · 2 hr 35 min
Catoctin Trail–Lawn Mower Loop, 5 sights is a 6.2-mile loop in Gambrill State Park near Hawbottom Heights, MD. It climbs 1,025 ft, with sections as steep as 15% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 57/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Catoctin Trail–Lawn Mower Loop, 5 sights
6.2 mi · ▲ 1,025 ft · 2 hr 35 min
Elevation 892–1,759 ft
Loop · Gambrill State Park
Trailhead: Yellow Poplar · 39.46980, -77.49482
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:12 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 100 ftTurn right onto Yellow Poplar, heading N.
- 1.3 miTurn left onto Powerline Trail, heading NE.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear left onto Headless Hollow, heading N.
- 50 ftBear right onto Powerline Trail, heading N.
- 0.3 miContinue straight onto Lawn Mower, heading N.
- 0.9 miBear left onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading E.
- 1.1 miBear left onto Catoctin Trail, heading SW.
- 1.2 miTurn left onto Catoctin Trail - Yellow, heading NE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Catoctin Trail, heading W.
- 50 ftBear right onto Yellow Poplar Trail, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn right onto Black/Yellow, heading W.
- 250 ftSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftThe loop closes 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 1.0 mi in (~28 min). Leave by 6:24 PM for the 7:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:54 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Yellow Poplar Trailhead
- Lawn Mower–Powerline Trail, 3 sights 4.5 mi · ▲ 483 ft
- Bootjack Spring & Yellow Poplar Trail Loop 1.2 mi · ▲ 296 ft
- Middletown Overlook–Black Locust Loop, 4 sights 1.6 mi · ▲ 314 ft
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Hikes near Hawbottom Heights, Maryland