Mason Dixon Trail – South Newark to Elkton Town

We will shuttle a few cars to the start at Rittenhouse Park and hike back through the Newark and Elkton sections of the 199 mile Mason Dixon Trail.  This hike will take us from the Christina Watershed (Christina Creek) to the Chesapeake Watershed (Big Elk Creek).  The small parks that we’ll hike through include: Rittenhouse, Folk, Iron Hill, 4 Seasons, Meadow, and Elder.  We’ll have lunch on the hill of Gray Mount, believed to have been a brief revolutionary war encampment.  On a clear day, you can see all the way to the C&D Canal bridges!  Some of the trail is subject to wet or frozen areas, varying with the temperature and amount of rain.  Expect several small stream crossings.  It will be approximately 85% trail and 15% paved, with several local road crossings.  Bring water and lunch.

From the DE / MD stateline, proceed west on US RT 40 for 2.4 mi. Turn right onto MD RT 213 for 0.5 mi. Turn right onto Howard St for 0.1 mi. This municipal parking lot entrance will be on your left. It's on the northeast corner of Howard & Bow Streets.