Elk Neck State Park, MD

ABOUT THE PARK:
Elk Neck State Park - Maryland Department of Natural Resources

No hunting on Sundays.

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 39.49151, -75.98708

North East Beach Parking

During this time of year self pay for parking is in effect.  The only pay station is here on the way in, none in the parking lot.

TRAIL MAP:
Elk Neck State Park Trail Map - Maryland Department of Natural Resources

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HIKE DISTANCE:  8.3 miles

THE HIKE:
Shawnee and I had hiked the Turkey Point Lighthouse section almost a year ago.  The rest of the trails were too difficult for her but I always wanted to return to hike them.  With Brodie ready, willing and able, we went and finished what Shawnee couldn't do.

According to the map this is parking for the White Banks Trail trail head but it was not obvious at all where the trail starts.  I parked near the kiosk at the top of the lot and walked up the paved road between the kiosk and picnic shelter 1. I did see some very faded white paint blazes so I thought this might be the way.

At the very end of the paved road at the tip of the turn around loop, just past picnic shelter 2...

... the White Banks Trail.

These markers are plentiful once on the trail.

Right after I took this picture of the Chesapeake Bay, a bald eagle flew by but I missed him.

This part of the trail follows along the Chesapeake Bay with nice winter views.

And there is that bald eagle!

And balloon #4 of the year.

The terrain is quite hilly with lots of ups and downs.

Coming up on the overlook.

Same eagle or a different one?

And here are three on the ice, two adults and a juvenile.

I didn't realize how close I was to the edge until I took this picture.  Then I got all weak in the knees and moved back.

After the overlook the trail goes inland.

Coming up on Turkey Point Road where the trail crosses over.

Here we have balloon #5 of the  year which happens to exactly match a balloon I found on the previous hike in NJ.

Coming up on Elk River.

Here at the end of the White Bank Trail was a bench for our break spot.

Leaving the bench a connector trail leads to the Beaver Marsh Loop.

We needed to turn left but I went right first ...

... for a view of the Elk River.

Heading back so we'd be going around the Beaver Marsh Loop in a clockwise direction.

Good thing I chose to go that way because there was another bald eagle on the other side of the marsh.

Beaver Marsh

Around to where that eagle had been sitting, an eagle nest.

And an eagle feather.

Right after I took this picture a red fox skittered across the ice between me and the beaver lodge but he was too fast for me to get in another shot.

We looped around to the campground connector trail.

To make a loop we had to do a little road walking.

 No traffic on Stony Point Road...

... because it was gated.  We turned right beyond the gate on North East Loop into the campground.

According to the map, I should have been able to pick u p the Ravines Loop behind the playground.

We went into the woods behind the basketball hoop and headed right.

Brodie was having trouble finding a trail and so was I.

No trail here so we tried the other way.

I found some very faint blazes that eventually became more clear with a more defined path.

Then the trail was marked with pink ribbons.  Apparently the trail went defunct but they must be resurrecting it.

The trail comes out at the laundry building ...

... and we picked up the Pond Loop at the kiosk behind the laundry.

The map in the kiosk does not show the Ravines Loop at all.

Wapiti Pond

This must have been one big beaver.

The Pond Loop turns left on to a wide path then ...

... Farm Road Trail starts to the right.

Crossing back over Turkey Point Road.

Farm Road Trail leads right back to the parking log opposite from where we started.