For many nature lovers, there’s just something spiritual about hiking in the woods. Fortunately for those in the area who love to spend time in the great outdoors, there’s a local group with a rich history and tradition.
Founded in 1934, the Mountain Club of Maryland — the state’s largest hiking club — celebrates its 90th anniversary this year. The Baltimore-based organization — whose membership includes many Jewish participants — arranges and leads hikes and other outdoor activities, including camping, canoe/kayaking trips and backpacking weekends.
The hikes are led by experienced and knowledgeable club members and are offered multiple times a week throughout the year.
“I lead a hike about every other week, typically on a Saturday morning,” says Jon Hyman, the club’s outreach and publicity director. “That’s how I like to spend my Shabbos morning, out in nature doing a hike.”
You can often find club members hiking in local, state and national parks, as well as trekking through national forests and sites across the mid-Atlantic region.
In an effort to appeal to all ages — from younger students to retirees — and ability levels, hikes are listed online by distance and difficulty level. There are even “Woof! Hikes” that are dog-friendly so participants can bring their pups.
“The club offers various levels of hikes, from leisurely walks to strenuous rock scrambling,” says Steve Kempler, vice-president and hiking and excursions director. “What I really enjoy about the club is I could be having lunch on Maryland Heights Trail overlooking Harpers Ferry one week, then looking out of overlooks located in Catoctin [Mountain Park in north-central Maryland] the next week, and then walking along a forest creek another week.”
The club follows a strict “Leave No Trace” policy, a set of ethics promoting conservation of the outdoors. On every hike, there is a member designated as the “sweep” at the back of the group to ensure nobody dropped anything and nothing is left behind.
Another aspect of the club is working to improve the trails for all to enjoy for years to come by sharing responsibility for maintaining sections of the Appalachian Trail. Club volunteers have cleared storm damage and deadfall from the A.T. and worked on repairing damage from storms and erosion. Their work also includes maintaining four hiking shelters along the trail.
From hikes to trail work, friendship and camaraderie are a key component to the club.
“I’ve always enjoyed hiking, but the hiking club has introduced me to wonderful, friendly hiking enthusiasts, of wide skills and abilities,” says Kempler.
Club leaders pride themselves on being friendly and welcoming to all hikers.
“We’re always looking for new members,” says Hyman, a Pikesville resident. “We’re very welcoming and we’re always looking for people who want to join and eventually lead hikes and do other outdoor activities.”
As the club celebrates 90 years, members have special events and reflect on the past while looking toward the future. The year-long celebration included participating in the 2024 Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race.
Club members were also encouraged to share memories and reflections about memorable hikes and friendships along the way.
“It’s a tradition that’s going to be carried on,” Hyman says. “The people who started the Mountain Club are not with us any longer, but we know it’s going to continue. We work hard because we need to preserve our natural environment. It’s important for people to appreciate our incredible natural resources. It’s extraordinarily healthy for people, both mentally and physically, to get out there and explore the outside world.”
Anna Lippe is a Washington, D.C.-based freelance writer.
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