Cowans Gap SP/Buchanan SF, PA Info sough t

“I've been asked by the MD chapter of the Sierra Club to post my day hikes through mid-November. I'm tentatively considering doing something in this area. I can get a nice 6 mile loop in the park proper and then a 5 mile total out and back along the Big Blue to a vista overlooking Path Valley to the south of the park. I'd prefer to reduce the out and back and add more loop character to the trek. Ny National Geographic Software shows some side trails coming off of the Big Blue to the south of the last park trail but nothing heading back towards the park, either in the valley or along the next ridge to the west. I believe this is all SF land. I've ordered PATC maps of the area but was wondering if anyone out there has any experience hiking in that area. Would like the total mileage to be around 10 miles, maybe a tad more or less.

The map of the route (whick I hope to improve) can be found at http://mrhyker.tripod.com/cowansgap-w.jpg.”

“i hiked many of those trails highlighted on your map. the vistas from cove mountain are alright; there's a landslide along that trail. Aughwick creek is pretty. The vista from Big Mountain is one of the best in the state- very impressive, but you can drive to it. i don't know of any trails to avoid the out and back to Big Mtn.”

“I think I can shave about 0.5 miles off of the out and back if I can find where the old logging road comes down to the creek. I could use Richmond trail to really shave it down but then I'd have 1 to 1.5 miles of road walking to do. Almost think I'd prefer the out and back. A friend told me they use Big Mountain for Hang Gliding. True?
last edited: 5/01/06 3:29:00 PM”

“i don't believe so, there's a hang gliding site more south on the tuscarora trail, near a restaurant.”