Prettyboy Reservoir · MD
Hemlock Gorge Trail
Prettyboy Reservoir's signature footpath, threading a shaded gorge of old eastern hemlocks along the Gunpowder Falls below the dam. Rooty, rocky and lightly marked; often extended into a longer loop. Hunting occurs fall through spring.
Live · updated
Today
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Today's best: hiking
Conditions
Score by activity
Hiking
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Trail running
Skip the trail running plan today.
Score breakdown
- · 84°F air — Within comfort range, outside ideal
- − 15 mph wind — Gusty — bring a windbreaker
- − Thunderstorms — Get off exposed ridges before they arrive
- ✓ Trail: prime — No meaningful rain in the last 48 hours. Trail surface is dry and tacky — prime traction.
Trail facts
- Distance
- 0.91 mi
- Elevation gain
- 84 ft
- Surface
- mixed
- Difficulty
- moderate
Trailhead
Coordinates
39.6873, -76.7738 — MD.
Park
Part of Prettyboy Reservoir.
Peak nymphal tick activity — check yourself within 2 hours of leaving the trail.
Frequently Asked
How long is Hemlock Gorge Trail?
Hemlock Gorge Trail is a 0.91-mile route with 84 feet of elevation gain — moderate — some sustained climbing or technical sections; expect to work for it but no specialized skills required. The trail facts panel on this page lists distance, surface, and access tags as they appear in OpenStreetMap.
What's the trail surface like at Hemlock Gorge Trail?
Hemlock Gorge Trail is mixed surface — sections of dirt, rock, and root that vary along the route. Today's mud rating, derived from recent precipitation and the surface type, is shown in the conditions panel above.
Who manages Hemlock Gorge Trail, and where do closure alerts come from?
Hemlock Gorge Trail is in Prettyboy Reservoir, which is managed by the managing agency. Closure and advisory data on this page comes from the agency. Always confirm against the park's own page before driving — emergency closures can post faster than scrapers refresh.