Patapsco State Park - Soapstone Trail Start — Attraction in Arbutus

I hiked this trail on 22 May 2019 with a Meet Up group and had a great time! I did not realize how many hiking trails there were interconnected to the Patapsco State Park. The trails we traveled was fairly easy. A few slippery slopes and some rock hopping over streams was about as difficult as it could've been. If you went off the beaten path, you could make it a little more difficult as there were steep often on either side of the beaten path. This trail could be used AND was used by both mountain bikers and hikers. Unfortunately, not all of the mountain bikers have the proper etiquette of letting folks know that they're coming so it's wise to be on the looking out for these kooks but most of them had courtesy, a trait that's not so common these days...

Be wary upon the entrance from Rolling road as there is bountiful poison ivy not far from the paths. It's pretty easy to spot if you're familiar with it. If you're not, it'd be wise to brush up on what it looks like before you physically brush up against it not knowing what it is. The repercussions can be dire depending upon the severity of your allergic reaction (if any - not everyone is susceptible). Otherwise there is a ton of either rosa beggariana, dog rose or sweetbriar roses all throughout the trails. I'm unsure which one it is but they all look very similar to each other. It'd be wise to wear pants or high socks to protect your from briars or poison ivy but if you're familiar with what it all looks like, shorts will keep you from overheating. Bring water and apply bug spray before venturing into the woods. There is a bit of standing water within the streams that run through, though if you keep moving, you might avoid the bugs altogether -- it wholly depends upon your pace. Overall, it's a great trail for all ages. A walking stick could help when crossing the streams on the boulders or walking down some of the banks of some...

Best spot to park to access the Soapstone Trail. Part of the Patapsco State Park, this entrance does not have a fee. So feel free to donate or buy something from the park another day. This is a moderately difficult set of paths with elevation and off camber paths. Hikers, trail runners and plenty of mountain bikes.

If the parking lot is full, move over to the park n ride at 195 and walk over. There is also a bus that goes downtown that stops here, so if you are in the city, check the schedule and you won't even have to drive here.

There are no restrooms within a mile of this trail head, you will need to get to the bottom of soapstone and do a water crossing to get to a restroom.

Do not speed on Rolling rd, the speed limit is 30.

If you are into foraging, there are paw-paw trees here, sometime you can get lucky during the one weekend...

Great hiking trail for long or short hikes. Using the All Trails app really makes it fun because you can better plan the hike and explore new paths that provide short cuts to other trails. I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of these woods and how well maintained. In so many places you can see the gentle hand of park rangers who have removed logs from paths and installed drainage pipes so the multitude of creeks and brooks don't flood the paths. Even so, there are many opportunities to scamper across slippery rocks bridging creeks and other untamed small waterways that criss cross the trails. Fall is an especially beautiful time to...