Salamander Rock–Sand Flat, 5 sights
8.1 mi · ▲ 972 ft · 3 hr 11 min
Salamander Rock–Sand Flat, 5 sights is an 8.1-mile out-and-back in Frederick City Watershed near White Rocks, MD. The route passes Sand Flat before reaching Salamander Rock at the turnaround, 4.1 miles in. It climbs 972 ft, with sections as steep as 19% grade, and is mostly dirt. It scores 64/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Salamander Rock–Sand Flat, 5 sights
8.1 mi · ▲ 972 ft · 3 hr 11 min
Elevation 1,285–1,841 ft
Out & Back · Frederick City Watershed
Trailhead: Little Canaan · 39.53508, -77.48072
Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:56 AM · sunset 7:12 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start on Little Canaan, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Upper Canaan, heading S.
- 250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading W.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 150 ftBear left onto Pond Access Trail, heading SW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading N.
- 350 ftSharp left onto Trail 4, heading NE.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear right onto Old Blue Trail, heading W.
- 0.4 miBear right onto Old Blue Trail, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Closed Trail, heading N.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading N.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Nordic Track, heading N.
- 0.2 miPass Sand Flat.
- 0.2 miBear left onto Sand Flats Trail, heading NW.
- 350 ftBear right onto Fireroad, heading NW.
- 0.3 miTurn right onto Skink, heading NW.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Salamander Trail, heading N.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Red By-Pass Trail, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right onto Salamander Trail, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading E.
- 100 ftReach Salamander Rock, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Red By-Pass Trail, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left onto Salamander Trail, heading SW.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Skink, heading SW.
- 150 ftTurn left onto Fireroad, heading SW.
- 0.3 miBear left onto Sand Flats Trail, heading S.
- 350 ftBear right onto Nordic Track, heading SE.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Closed Trail, heading S.
- 0.7 miTurn right onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn left onto Old Blue Trail, heading SE.
- 0.3 miBear left onto Old Blue Trail, heading S.
- 0.4 miBear left onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading S.
- 0.2 miContinue straight onto Trail 4, heading E.
- 0.2 miSharp right onto Catoctin National Recreation Trail, heading E.
- 350 ftTurn left onto Pond Access Trail, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading SE.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading SE.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 100 ftContinue straight onto Upper Canaan, heading SE.
- 150 ftTurn right onto Little Canaan, heading S.
- 50 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
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Little Canaan Trailhead
- Catoctin National Recreation Trail & Old Blue Trail 4.9 mi · ▲ 676 ft
- Fishing Creek Reservoir–Albatross, 7 sights 10.9 mi · ▲ 2,462 ft
- North Frederick Viewpoint–Blue Balls, 4 sights 13.5 mi · ▲ 2,012 ft
- 3 Saws–Blue Balls, 4 sights 7.4 mi · ▲ 749 ft
- Closed Trail & Old Blue Trail via Catoctin National Recreation Trail 4.7 mi · ▲ 806 ft
- Spout Spring–3 Saws, 6 sights 9 mi · ▲ 1,375 ft
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