High Knob–Middletown Overlook Loop, 6 sights
4.3 mi · ▲ 862 ft · 1 hr 52 min
High Knob–Middletown Overlook Loop, 6 sights is a 4.3-mile loop in Gambrill State Park near Hawbottom Heights, MD. The route passes Middletown Overlook and High Knob. It climbs 862 ft, with sections as steep as 21% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 31/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
High Knob–Middletown Overlook Loop, 6 sights
4.3 mi · ▲ 862 ft · 1 hr 52 min
Elevation 1,028–1,640 ft
Loop · Gambrill State Park
Trailhead: Yellow Poplar · 39.48190, -77.49793
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:12 PM
- Start on Yellow Poplar, heading SE.
- 1 miTurn left, heading S.
- 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.
- 0.2 miSharp left, heading S.
- 50 ftPass Middletown Overlook.
- 150 ftTurn right onto High Knob Road, heading S.
- 100 ftPass High Knob.
- 100 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 100 ftTurn right onto Black - Green, heading NE.
- 0.2 miSharp left onto Yellow - Red - Black, heading S.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto Green Ash Trail, heading NE.
- 0.4 miBear left onto Catoctin - Black - Green, heading NE.
- 0.5 miContinue straight onto Catoctin Trail, heading N.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Catoctin Trail - Yellow, heading N.
- 0.2 miTurn left onto Yellow Poplar, heading N.
- 0.6 miBear right, heading NW.
- 0.5 miThe 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 0.1 mi in (~3 min). Leave by 6:50 PM for the 7:12 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:30 PM — 9 min before dark.
More from Yellow Poplar Trailhead
- Green Ash Trail & White Oak Trail via Yellow Poplar 3.2 mi · ▲ 394 ft
- Kubla Khan & Powerline Trail via Yellow Poplar 3.6 mi · ▲ 916 ft
- Yellow Poplar - Black Locust–Yellow Poplar Trail Loop, 3 sights 3.5 mi · ▲ 462 ft
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