Mckeldin Area - Patapsco State Park

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(2 votes, 2 reviews)

Difficulty: Difficult
Length: 16.7 miles / 27 km
Duration: Full day

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Overview: A strenuous distance hike to St. Stanislaus Kotska Catholic Church and cemetery ruins located in Patapsco state park in Maryland.

A very rewarding hike, both physically and mentally as you explore the (founded in 1879) history in the area in some ghost towns that exist inside the state park. Since these areas are in the park, they are protected by the state.

Start your hike from the ample parking lot with picnic shelters and restrooms. The paved road ends at the rapids overlook, and continues to our stream immersion crossing. The stream crossing is an easy one, look for the horse entry point and go up a little for an easier route. Less than knee-deep water and you are on the other side--then look for the trail and resume your journey.

The trail apprimately follows the railroad tracks but deviates in several sections for "mud" portages up into the hills.

It crosses under a freeway road with plenty of local graffiti artists known here.

Continuing along to our approximate half way there point (to the cemetery and ruins) you will find two markers, one is a pipeline marker, then overhead power lines. This is where you should gauge your progress if you will make it before dusk. It should take you approx 2 hours to reach this point, and thus this is a quarter of the total trip not including the time spent in the ruins (plan for an hour).

Further down the trail you will cross over a small rail bridge, with a nice tributary fishing spot, at this point you have to cross over to the other side of the tracks and look for the trail.

Then you will pass the old car graveyard, with a nice selection of very old cars.

The next landmark is the dam--with alot of artifacts in this area.

Then we go under the rail bridge (active rail) and continue on. The rail crosses to daniels which has an active manufacturing company located there. This is also another entry point for the hike.

Past the rail bridge, we see an old car on the left (60's blue) far off in the distance, and a Presbyterian church ruins (which is newer construction)... however this is not our final destination.

Continuing past the church ruins, you will encounter a better road trail, and look for the trail on the left going up the hill. Continuing up this side trail we look for the netted rocks which is the entry point for the St. Stanislaus Kotska Catholic Church location.

The church has a small cemetery right next to it, please do not disturb the stones as this is state protected property and is within the state park boundary.

St. Stanislaus Church was founded in 1879, and this stone building was erected shortly afterward. The church’s priest used to skate down the river from Woodstock when the river was frozen during the winter months. The stone structure was struck by lightning in the 1920s, and a wooden structure was built nearby and used until the town of Daniels was bulldozed in the late 1960s.

You will see the dates on the stones from 1920-1930's.

Say a prayer for them, and start your return hike!

The two ghost towns here were named Alberton/Daniels mill town.

Tips:

this is a strenuous hike! need a pack with at least 5-6 bottles of water, and food, salt is recommended
the trail looks flat, but has portage sections that can be steep. crosses hilly areas
beware the active railroad tracks
start early! took me about 7 hours to complete
gauge your progress! the pipeline and power lines are approximately half way there (and thus a quarter of the total trip time...) should take you about 2 hours to this point. got enough daylight left?
1 immersion stream crossing. take off shoes and bring extra socks! the river is not deep at the moment but it may change.
buy the trail map at the ranger station for $6, there are side loops possible to make this trail longer.
this is a horse trail too.

Points of Interest

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parking lot area

parking lot area with picnic tables and shelters.

restroom nearby.

the trail is a paved one to start out.

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rapids and river overlook

this is the rapids and river overlook trail

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Patapsco river view

a nice view of the river, no boats here.

no swimming too!

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optional rock scramble

you can go here for an overlook, but its a rock scramble!

better follow the gps route and take the white trail

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cross the river!

no bridge, water is very low, less than knee deep.

look for the horse crossing a deep gouge here, and cross over a little farther with an easier crossing.

then find the trail again on the other side.

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trail view after crossing

trail view after the crossing, a well defined trail

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river trail

view on the trail by the river

there are washed out portions that you have to portage along the trail (detour trails)

some of them go over hills etc.

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grafiti bridge cross under

grafiti bridge, cross under it.

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pipeline marker

this is the pipeline fence and marker

somewhere between the pipeline and the power lines is the halfway point to the cemetery for this hike

(well thats a 1/4 of the total time)

so gauge your progress. and plan accordingly for daylight.

it should be 2 hour legs to the power lines for a total trip out and back of less than 8 hours.

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power lines through field

power lines running through a field

another marker to gauge your progress

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stump stream crossing

stump stream crossing, can get muddy!

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small train bridge

small train bridge,

some kayaks usually park here on the tributary.

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side trail, fishing spot

this is a fishing spot, and side trail.

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cross tracks to other side and pickup trail entry

cross tracks here at bridge and find trail on other side.

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old car junkyard

some really old cars here, now u may call it a junkyard :-)

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dam

this is a small dam.

lookout point for a good view on the river

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rail bridge

rail bridge,

daniels still has some manufacturing companies on the end of this, and also this is the alternate point of entry for this hike.

this is an active rail.

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church ruins

old church ruins

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old church ruins and cemetery

this is an old church ruins and cemetery.

the cemetery stones date to the 1920-1930's.

the ruins are accessed on a side trail starting at the netted rock pile on the right hand side.

please do not disturb anything, especially the cemetery stones. they are graffiti free. it is illegal to do so as this is part of the Patapsco state park.

do not remove any artifacts either.