Sugarloaf Mountain (Maryland)

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Sugarloaf Mountain

Sugarloaf Mountain, sunset
Elevation 1,282 feet (391 metres)
Location Frederick County, Maryland
Range Blue Ridge Mountains (outlier)
Type Monadnock
Age of rock approx. 500 million years[1]
Easiest route Drive

Sugarloaf Mountain is a 1,282 foot (391 meter) small mountain in Dickerson, Maryland, south of the town of Frederick. The closest town is Barnesville, Maryland, located nearly at the foot of the mountain inside Montgomery County, Maryland. The relatively low mountain is approximately 800 feet (244 m) higher than the surrounding farmland. Because of its geological interest, it was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1969.

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[edit] History

During the Maryland Campaign of the American Civil War in 1862, Union forces occupying the summit, which was being used as an observation and signal station, first spotted the Army of Northern Virginia on September 5 as it crossed the Potomac River into Maryland. The following morning as the small Union force on the mountain began to retreat in the face of the oncoming Confederate army, they ran into the unsuspecting 1st North Carolina Infantry and a small skirmish ensued. The Union force was able to escape but was later caught by Confederate cavalry at Urbana [2].

In the early 1900s Chicago businessman Gordon Strong bought substantial land holdings on the mountain. In 1925 Frank Lloyd Wright, on commission from Strong, proposed an automobile objective development for the top of the mountain, but this was never realized.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, briefly considered using Sugarloaf as his presidential retreat, but was persuaded by Gordon Strong to choose the nearby Shang-Ra-La site on the Catoctin Mountain, which today is known as Camp David.




Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland

Designation U.S. National Natural Landmark
Location Frederick County, Maryland
Nearest City Barnesville, Maryland
Coordinates ??°??.???′N″??, ??.???°W′″{{{8}}}
Area ???? acres (About ?? ha)
Date of Establishment June, 1969
Owner(s) Private


Gordon Strong set up a trust fund in 1947 which maintains a trail system and other tourist facilities. The mountain and immediate environs continue to be open to the public, but are privately owned by Stronghold Incorporated.

[edit] Geology

Sugarloaf Mountain is an example of a monadnock — an isolated hill or small mountain rising abruptly from gently sloping or level surrounding land. It appears to be either an outlier to the east of the main mass of Catoctin Mountain or a root remnant of the ancient Appalachian land mass.

[edit] Tourism

Sugarloaf mountain is an area tourist attraction, free and open to the public. Activities include hiking, rock climbing, picnicking, and viewing. The mountain is known to locals for its scenic views.

The road leading up to Sugarloaf Mountain

The scenic overlook at Sugarloaf Mountain

Seen from 2.5 miles (4km) to the east

View at the top during fall

Sugarloaf Mountain as seen from Maryland Heights

[edit] Rules

Visitors to Sugarloaf Mountain are asked to obey the following rules:

  • Motorists must strictly obey the posted 15 mph speed limit, due to the narrow, winding roads.
  • Park only in designated parking areas.
  • No campfires, grills, or other use of fire.
  • No overnight camping.
  • No firearms.
  • Mountain bikes are permitted only between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and only on designated trails.

[edit] Directions

From I-270: Take exit 22 (SR-109). Turn left off ramp (turn right off ramp if exiting from I-270N), following signs to Sugarloaf Mountain. Go about 2 miles, then turn right on Comus Road. When you see parking spaces on sides of road, turn right onto road that will bring you to top of mountain.

[edit] External links

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Sugarloaf: The Mountains History, Geology, and Natural Lore page 11
  2. ^ Sugarloaf Mountain - A Signalman’s Lot Marker
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Parks and Protected areas in Maryland
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Assateague • Big Run • Calvert Cliffs • Casselman River Bridge • Chapel Point • Cunningham Falls • Dans Mountain • Deep Creek Lake • Elk Neck • Fort Frederick • Fort Tonoloway • Gambrill State • Gathland • Greenbrier • Greenwell • Gunpowder Falls • Hart-Miller Island • Herrington Manor • Janes Island • Jonas Green • Martinak • Matapeake • New Germany • North Point • Palmer • Patapsco Valley • Patuxent River • Pocomoke River • Point Lookout • Purse • Rocks • Rocky Gap • Rosaryville • Sandy Point • Seneca Creek • Smallwood • South Mountain • St. Clement's Island • St. Mary's River • Susquehanna • Swallow Falls • Tuckahoe • Washington Monument • Western Maryland Rail Trail • Wills Mountain • Wye Oak
County/Municipal
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Sherwood Gardens • Sugarloaf Mountain