Sunday, December 1, 2013

Lake Roland,
Robert E. Lee Memorial Park

Baltimore Co.,
Maryland

Total Time: 1:30 hours
Estimated Distance: 1.52 miles
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Level of Recommendation: Recommended
Points Of Interest: Scenic walk around lake
Pros: Lake views and nice topography
Cons: In a built up area, last part of hike busy on weekends

I was in Baltimore over Thanksgiving weekend visiting family. I stuck around until Sunday, and took a short hike Sunday morning with my kids and nieces and nephew. I am not familiar with the Baltimore area, but the city does have some scenic deep valleys with nice trails. We took the trail around the southern part of Roland Lake, starting at the parking area east of the dam. We crossed the stream over a large fallen tree, then down the ravine through the swampy area, then to the "cave" (actually seems to be an old pegmatite mine), and then around the lake to the railroad track. This is a very active railroad with the Baltimore Light Rail coming about every 10 minutes or so. We crossed the railroad bridge, and then went through the dog park area, and the across the new bridge by the dam and then back to the parking area. There is a "No Trespassing" sign by the railroad bridge, but it was only facing northbound. Once we crossed the bridge we noticed there was another "No Trespassing" sign posting where we came from, but coming from our direction there was no sign.

Map of the Route

Crossing the Brook at the Incoming Brook,
With an Old Stone Bridge in the Rear

Crossing the Fallen Tree Over the Narrow Dip

Lake Roland  from the View Area Above the Cave

Me at the Above Spot

Dense Evergreen Ivy Along the Hike

Great Blue Heron at the Foot of the Dam

The Dam and Outgoing  Brook

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