Milford Mill – Gwynns Falls trail – 1.1 mile

2/29/2020 Gwynns Falls trail – Elevation gain: 59 ft

Location: intersection of Milford Mill rd. and Scott’s Level rd.

Official signage at the entrance of the parking area. Just before I695 above.

Parking lot is small but today is cold and windy so only the brave is out walking anyway. There is only one car here but they actually pulling out as soon as I get Mag out of the car. The trail is all ours. It is tucked between the Baltimore Beltway and Gwynns Falls River.

We start out to the left and follow the paved bend. The first thing I notice is a board for volunteering through a rotary club. I’ve seen their work at other trails (another rotary club though) and it is great to know that they care about the environment.

Love that even though the highway is right here we still have a tiny patch of land to enjoy locally. If I follow Gwynns Falls on the map it goes from Glyndon to the Chesapeake Bay and throughout its journey a green footprint follows it.

I just saw a Kingfisher! But as usual it flew away….

We walk down to a pebble beach where Mag things it’s not too cold (32F) to miss out on going into the water.

After getting back on the trail I really pay attention and appreciate the sounds of several bird species. It’s like a little sanctuary for them here within the craziness of the “civilized” word. We come across a bench where – of course – Mag has to pose.

We also find a small area with muddy conditions. A small path now follows the main trail parallel to it to go around the muddy part. On our right I can see receding water from all the rain we have gotten lately.

I don’t know if only in Baltimore are the sewer lines follow the waterways but yet again I can smell them even in the strong winds and cold. While trying to get my mind off of angry thoughts, I notice some wonderful tree reflections on the wavy river.

It’s pretty chilly today but the sun is peaking through the forest and nature is inevitably in the process of waking up.

We have reached the Southern most point of our one mile walk and on the way back we are getting away from the river, walking uphill. I695 is getting closer and louder.

Mag noticed a few deer before on the other side of the trail but now they are running in front and behind us like they are being chased…. and yes….we just saw a black and white pitbull chasing a bunch them! I don’t know if he got away and he’s hungry or a dumbass walking their dog off leash. No wonder there are deer carcass in these residential parks around here.

Little bit up the path we meet up with an older guy but he doesn’t have any signs of a leash. He even stops to let us go with clear respect towards Mag. We proceed and sit on a stump for a picture.