Assateague Island National Seashore & Sinepuxent Brewing Company (BONUS: Burley Oak!)

February 7, 2022February 7, 2022hikesandhopsblog 4 Comments

Berlin, MD

It’s road trip time! J and I took a ride across the Bay Bridge and over to Worcester County. I’ve always wanted to visit Assateague Island but never wanted to deal with the humidity and the Ocean City crowds. My solution? Go to the beach in January! It might not be everyone’s cup of tea but I absolutely loved being at the beach in the winter. It felt like we had the whole world to ourselves and we saw the wild horses almost as soon as we parked! It was a magical day and I highly recommend checking out your favorite summer haunts in the off season!

THE HIKE: Assateague Island National Seashore – Beach hiking & Short trails

Length: Variable
Elevation Gain: Flat
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Time: Variable
Trail use: Hiking, Biking, NO PETS
Parking: Large lots throughout park, $25 entrance fee, valid for 7 days
H&H: 4/5

*A little chilly on the beach in January*

Assateague Island National Seashore is located in Worcester County along the Atlantic Ocean. It’s only a few miles away from its much more popular neighbor Ocean City. The island is separated into two sections, the state park and the national park. The state park offers 2 miles of beaches and campsites and is open for a number of activities including swimming, camping, biking and fishing. The National Park side of the Island is 35 miles of preserved beach and salt marsh habitat spanning Maryland and into Virginia. The Maryland side (apart from the state park) is managed by the National Park Service and the US Fish & Wildlife Service cares for the Virginia end (which is called Chincoteague)

The National Park is open all year round from about 7am to sunset. Be aware that there is no road connecting the Maryland and Virginia districts of the island so if you wish to visit both, it’s about an hour drive from one visitor center to the other. On our visit we opted to explore the National Park. The entrance fee is usually $25 per vehicle (which is valid for 7 days and includes both the MD and VA sections) but we used our America the Beautiful NPS pass to get in for free. I know I’ve said this before, but definitely invest in this pass if you think you’ll be going to more than one park in a year. It covers so much more than I realized and we’ve already used it for Shenandoah, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Harper’s Ferry, Great Falls, and now Assateague! It’s only $80 for the whole year. Okay end of my pitch.

When you first get to Assateague, stop in at the Visitor Center before crossing over the bridge. We were able to get maps, talk to a ranger, and explore some museum displays. It was a great way to prepare us for what to expect on the island. It’s also a great place to use the restroom; there’s only vault toilets on the island! Also you can park at the visitor center and walk over to the park but this would add a few miles to your day and you’d be better off saving your energy.

Once we crossed over and showed our pass, we pulled into the first beach parking lot. There was rain forecasted for the day and I wanted to get as much done as we could before the chilly day turned into a wet chilly day. We really lucked out because as soon as we parked, we noticed about five horses hanging out in the brush by the beach! I couldn’t believe that we were able to see the horses at all let alone first thing in the morning! They were so beautiful but without a fancy camera lens, we weren’t able to get close enough to take good pictures. But trust me, we saw them!

Walking on the beach was probably my favorite part of the day. I’ve never seen such a long stretch of sand with no other people anywhere in sight. It really was magical. We did about a 2 mile out and back along the water before it started raining. If you do go in the winter, make sure to bundle up! It was about 40F that day but the wind on the beach made it feel SO much colder. We had on leggings under our hiking pants, sweatshirts, and big winter coats.

After walking on the beach, I wanted to do some of the small trails along the island. There are three loops all focused on different habitats found on Assateague. We started at the furthest point and worked our way back. Also a side note: there is an Over Sand Vehicle (OSV) area which can be accessed by permit through the NPS. We didn’t pursue this but it sounds really interesting! So we started our hiking at the Life of the Dunes trail which is a short 0.8 mile loop that highlights the dune habitats. It’s full of interpretative signs, viewpoints, and even a walk along the asphalt road from the 1950’s when developers tried to inhabit Assateague. This trail was probably my favorite of the day. Although it was short, it was a completely different world from the hikes we usually do and I loved seeing the different plants and trees. Also walking on the sand is quite the workout!

Next we did the 0.5 mile Life of the Forest trail which mostly followed a raised boardwalk. The views along this walk were incredible. It looks out over the Sinepuxent Bay and we spent so much time just watching birds swoop around. Next, we explored the Life of the Marshes trails which was also a 0.5 mile raised boardwalk. This was probably the best spot for watching birds and we even saw some horses in the distance. Part of the boardwalk leads right onto a small beach which was so peaceful and had some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen. We got a lot of walking in around Assateague but unfortunately by this time even our winter coats were soaked through so we needed to call it a day.

A couple things to note about visiting Assateague: it’s very windy so it will feel colder than on the mainland. The trees are fairly short so there’s no shade on sunny days. In warmer months, the heat and humidity bring out a lot of mosquitoes and biting insects. Finally, make sure to pack water and snacks and don’t leave food out. We kept everything in our car and threw our trash away at the visitor center. Remember to always Leave No Trace!

THE BEER: Sinepuxent Brewery Company

Address: 8816 Stephen Decatur Hwy, Berlin, MD 21811
Distance from Trail Head: 4.4 miles, 7 mins
Website: https://www.sinbrewing.com/
Food?: Snacks, seasonal juice & smoothie bowls
H&H Rating: 4/5

THE BEER: Burley Oak Brewery Company

Address: 10016 Old Ocean City Blvd, Berlin, MD 21811
Distance from Trail Head: 8.5 miles, 14 mins
Website: http://www.burleyoak.com/
Food?: Seasonal Taco Truck
H&H Rating: 5/5

The best part about doing an overnight trip? I feel no guilt in trying out two breweries for one hike! Our first stop was at Sinepuxent Brewing Company which boasts a sprawling outdoor venue as well as an indoor taproom. Honestly I wish it hadn’t been snowing at this point because the outdoor area looked so nice! There were fire pits, picnic tables, games, and animals. This place must be hopping during the summer! Thankfully we got there when we did because the owner wasn’t sure about opening up since the weather was looking grim. Luckily for us we were able to snag a small table and try pretty much everything on tap. Everything was pretty good but I think J’s favorite thing was the popcorn machine. I’ve never met someone who loves popcorn as much as him! My fav brew here was the IPA, it was a solid, no frills kinda ale which really hit the spot! Also I really love their logo. It’s an old seaman with a beard made of hops, so original!

Later on that evening, we also checked out Burley Oak Brewing Company in Berlin. I was super excited to go here because I had been hearing a lot of buzz about them in the Maryland craft beer world. Their space was rustic and cozy, also with a large outdoor space. It had started snowing so we opted to stay inside. Guys, this place makes so much beer! I honestly had a hard time choosing. Which of course means we have to try as much as we can. My favorites were the Aboriginal Gangster IPA which had the sweetness of a hazy without the thickness, and the Rude Boy which had a delightfully sweet malty flavor. All in all, this was a bucket list trip and I’m so glad we got to check out an incredible hike and have some good brews along the way! And if you’re looking to stay the night during the off season, I highly recommend the Atlantic Hotel. Our room had a claw foot tub!

Our Beer:

Burley Oak Brewing

Bunker-C – Porter – 6.6%
Aboriginal Gangster – IPA – 6.6%
Rude Boy – Imperial Red Ale – 8.2%
Pear Gingerbread J.R.E.A.M – Sour Ale – 4.8%

Sinepuxent Brewing Company

Hefeweizen – Wheat Beer – 5%
IPA – 6%
Double IPA – 8.5%
Stout – 8%
Pilsner Sin Brew – 4.8%

SUM UP: The beach isn’t just for summer! Assateague Island is located in Eastern Maryland and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and Sinepuxent Bay. It offers some of the most unique landscape in the state and is very well known for the wild horse herds that roam freely around. If going in the winter, dress warmly and be prepared to hike on sandy paths. After you’ve had your fill of wildlife, be sure to check out Sinepuxtent or Burley Oak breweries (or both)! Definitely consider staying the night in historic Berlin, known for its small town charm and plethora of antique stores.

Billy Goat Trail – Great Falls & 7 Locks Brewing

January 9, 2022January 8, 2022hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

Potomac, MD

Have you ever heard of First Day Hikes? It’s an initiative to get people outdoors and enjoying state and national parks on the very first day of the year. J and I have been doing it for four years now! This year I wanted our first hike to be something special so we did the Billy Goat Trail in Great Falls National Park for the very first time! Guys I cannot believe it’s taken me so long to do this hike because I absolutely LOVED it. It definitely isn’t for the faint of heart but I felt so strong and alive while clambering over the rocks. Let’s check it out!

THE HIKE: Billy Goat A (Great Falls National Park)

https://www.alltrails.com/explore/map/goat-and-canal-to-great-falls-overlook-loop-ffbd6cb

Length: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 174ft
Difficulty: Difficult
Time: 2.5 -3 hours
Trail use: Hiking Only (No Dogs)
Parking: Large parking lot at trailhead. $20 per vehicle or free with National Park Pass
H&H: 5/5

Great Falls is one of the most popular areas to visit in Maryland. It’s not very far from DC and there are trails on both the Virginia and Maryland sides. Technically Great Falls National Park is in Virginia and the Maryland side is part of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historic Park. But the section we’re looking for starts at the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center. This is a hugely popular area for hikers, bikers, and walkers since the trails branch off from the C&O Canal (a 184.5 river path connecting Harpers Ferry to Washington DC). If you go any time when the weather’s nice, expect full parking lots and busy trails.

The entrance fee to the park is $20 per vehicle which might seem steep but I highly encourage you to invest in the yearly NPS pass if you hike or travel a lot. It’s called the America the Beautiful pass ($85/year) and it gets one vehicle into all National Parks, Battlefields, Historic areas and more! Our pass quickly paid for itself after going to Harper’s Ferry, Shenandoah, and Catoctin.

There are three sections of the Billy Goat Trail (A,B,C). Before heading out to hike, check to see which sections are open. When we went, section B was closed due to flood damage. Our loop took us from the Visitor Center along the canal to the Section A trailhead and then back along the canal after doing the hike. Combined with a couple offshoots to see the overlooks, this loop was about 5 miles.

The Billy Goat section of the trail is difficult. Make sure to be prepared! Bring plenty of water, wear shoes with good grips, and have clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. After leaving the C&O Canal, the trail is almost completely rock scrambles and even one daunting climb up a cliff face. It was super fun but we were definitely exhausted by the end! My best advice is to take your time. Let the speed demons pass you and don’t be afraid to slide down rocks on your bum. I did that a lot! Oh and make sure you take SO many pictures. This is some of the most beautiful landscape in Maryland, maybe even the whole country!

THE BEER: 7 Locks Brewery

Address: 12227 Wilkins Ave, Rockville, MD 20852
Distance from Trail Head: 11 miles, 20 mins
Website: http://www.7locksbrewing.com/
Food?: BYOF
H&H Rating: 5/5

7 Locks Brewery is located in a large warehouse space in the Rockville area. They have plenty of tables in addition to a large bar. We were there early in the afternoon so we nearly had the first to ourselves! 7 Locks opened in 2015 and has been making a name for themselves ever since! They pride themselves in making excellent beer (and have the awards to prove it!) as well as being a gathering place for the community. We’ve been here several times and the beer never disappoints! Honestly, this time around it’s hard to pick a favorite beer. As usual, we tried a variety of styles and they were all so good! I think my favorite has to be the Billy Goat Tr-Ale since it paired so perfectly with our hike! Also the Bitch Monkey with Cranberry was awesome. I’m such a sucker for something cranberry flavored. It’s just so wintery!

Overall, I’m always very pleased with 7 Locks! It’s not easy to stand out in an area with several breweries to choose from but 7 Locks always manages to impress. Definitely Check them out next time you’re in the Rockville area!

Our Beer:

Redland Lager – Red Lager – 6.3%
Bitch Monkey w/ Cranberry – Fruited Gose – 5.2%
Blockhouse Point Stout – Oatmeal Stout – 5.7%
Billy Goat Tr-Ale – Session IPA – 4.5%

SUM UP: The Billy Goat trail is a famous (infamous?) trail along the C&O Canal in Potomac, MD that is very popular and is also difficult in some sections. It features incredible rocky landscapes with raging waterfalls and quiet river beaches. The hike itself requires rock scrambling and even scaling a short cliff wall. There is a $20 entrance fee and check trail openings before leaving. Only 20 minutes away is 7 Locks Brewing in Rockville. They have a huge space and offer a wide variety of delicious brews.

GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK: Cascade Canyon & Snake River Brewing (BONUS – Grand Teton Brewing Company)

October 23, 2021October 23, 2021hikesandhopsblog Leave a comment

Jackson, Wyoming & Victor, Idaho

It’s finally time to share our biggest Hike & Hop yet! We saved the best for last in our Yellowstone/ Grand Teton adventure. This incredible hike starts at Jenny Lake, travels up to the breathtaking Inspiration Point and finally travels into the Cascade Canyon Valley with stunning views of the Grand Teton peak. This hike completely blew me away and I already want to go back and do it again! There are plenty of opportunities for extending or decreasing the mileage while still getting in a fantastic hike. After this all day trek in the woods, Snake River Brewing in Jackson, Wyoming really hit the spot. And to round out the day, we drove back through Idaho and hit up Grand Teton Brewing in Victor.

THE HIKE: Grand Teton National Park – Cascade Canyon

Length: 9.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,096ft
Difficulty: Moderate
Time: 4 -5 hours
Trail use: Hiking only
Parking: Very popular spot so Jenny Lake parking fills up quickly
H&H: 5/5

Although most of our trip was in Yellowstone, we decided to add a day trip down to Grand Teton after hearing so many people raving about it. We got up before dawn to drive down through Yellowstone. It was truly a magical experience with the park so quiet and full of mist swirling in the sunrise. We even saw the most majestic elk emerging from the woods to stand in the early morning light.

We had a lot planned for a single day and made several stops before our big hike to take in the scenery. Guys, if you’ve never seen the Tetons, they are real mountains. The kind that stay snow-capped all year round. I could not wait to hike them! The only problem was, when we got to the Jenny Lake parking lot it was packed. Not a single spot anywhere. So we had to make a brash decision and go to the next trailhead to park. At first, I was disappointed, knowing that this would add a good 2 miles to our hike but as soon as we set out, I quickly swallowed my disappointment. The trail was so peaceful with very little traffic that we were really able to enjoy the beauty around us. And much to my surprise, we saw two moose in the distance within 10 minutes of starting out!

This trail follows along the shore of Jenny Lake and offers incredible views of the stunningly blue lake. I really loved this part of the trail, despite it not being part of our original plan. However, once we made it to the main trail, we had to share the way with a LOT more people. The first main viewpoint is Hidden Falls, which were lovely but could easily be skipped if you can’t spare the extra miles. It’s a really popular spot that was overrun with people taking a lunch break when we visited. The next stop is Inspiration Point which, while just as popular, is so beautiful that you just have to do it! The path to get up there is quite steep and not for the faint of heart. The steps are cut into the hillside and can be quite difficult for anyone unsteady on their feet or who have a fear of heights. As you’re going up, make sure to turn around and see the Grand Teton veering up behind you! After Inspiration Point, it’s time to head into the valley. The terrain will suddenly change from rocky and rugged to lush and green. And the trail will be noticeably quieter as the majority of people turn around at Inspiration Point. As you head into the valley, keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. This is a very popular place to see moose and bears! We weren’t so lucky but the stunning views made up for it!

*The stairs leading up to Inspiration Point – Not for the faint of heart!*

*Make sure to turn around and see the Grand Teton soaring behind you!*

*Feeling pretty inspired at Inspiration Point!*

At this point, you have some options. Since we didn’t have all day to hike, we walked for a while into the valley and then turned around to head back. If you want to continue into the valley, you can hike all the way to Lake Solitude and back for a 13.7 mile out and back. To save your legs, you can take the Jenny Lake ferry back and forth from the trailhead; just make sure to check the hours and have cash! Or if you really really want to challenge yourself, you can do a huge 21 mile loop from the String Lake trailhead that encompasses Cascade Canyon, Lake Solitude, and Paintbrush Canyon. This can be done as a backpacking trip too! I’m definitely adding to my backpacking wish list!

Even though we didn’t do the whole loop, we still had clocked nearly 30,000 steps! Needless to say we were definitely ready for a brew!

THE BEER: Snake River Brewing

Address: 265 S Millward St, Jackson, WY 83001
Distance from Trail Head: 20 miles, 32 mins
Website: https://snakeriverbrewing.com/
Food?: Full Menu
H&H Rating: 3/5

Only about 20 miles away from the trailhead is Snake River Brewing in Jackson. There are several breweries in town so you’ll have plenty of options if this one doesn’t suit you! I was very excited to see so many breweries here since opportunities for Hikes & Hops in Yellowstone were extremely limited! In fact, Wyoming only has 22 breweries in the whole state!

Snake River Brewing first opened in 1994 so it is pretty established in town as the place to be. That couldn’t have been more clear when we arrived and had to wait over an hour for a table! Thankfully the expansive outdoor space made it a comfortable place to relax and wait. It’s not often that we end up at breweries with a full menu so this was a treat. We both scarfed down an elk burger and were pretty happy with our beers. My only complaint was that the fast paced environment of the brewery made it feel very impersonal and made it hard to relax and have a good time. I think we might have been better off getting dinner somewhere else and having a beer outside here.

Afterwards, we needed to drive back to West Yellowstone through Idaho. One of my goals is to not only go to every state but also go to a brewery in each one. So, of course, after hiking in Grand Teton National Park, we had to stop by Grand Teton Brewing Company in Victor, Idaho. I LOVED this little brewery. We sat outside and watched the sunset drinking beer made from 100% glacial water! It was the perfect end to such a fulfilling but exhausting day.

Our Beer:

Snake River Brewing

Earned It – New England IPA – 6%
Custer’s Last Ale – Pale Ale – 6%

Grand Teton Brewing Company

Mail Cabin – Scottish Ale – 6.5%
Black Cauldron – Imperial Stout – 9.5%
Amber Ale – Red Ale – 4.8%

SUM UP: The highlight of our Yellowstone/ Grand Teton trip was our hike through the Cascade Canyon. To do this trek, you can park at Jenny Lake and either take the ferry to the trailhead or add on the hike along the shore line like we did. Along the hike, be sure to stop at Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point. I rate this hike as difficult because of the rocky climb up to Inspiration Point and the length of the hike. Our favorite part was the hike into Cascade Canyon where you are surrounded by lush forests and snowy mountain peaks jutting up beside you. Keep your eyes open for bears and moose in this area! To cap off your day, check out Snake River Brewing in Jackson for a delicious elk burger and some crisp, refreshing brews. If you still can’t get enough, make the gorgeous drive through the mountain pass into Idaho and watch the sunset at Grand Teton Brewing Company in Victor, Idaho. A perfect day!

Shenandoah National Park & Hawksbill Brewing

September 11, 2021September 12, 2021hikesandhopsblog 2 Comments

Luray, VA

I have been wanting to go back to Shenandoah for ages! The only time I’ve been was a quick drive down Skyline Drive with some friends and it was so cloudy we couldn’t see anything. So when some of J’s college friends wanted to do a weekend in Luray, I was game. The only problem is it was cloudy AGAIN! What luck?! So instead of a beautiful overlook, we decided to tackle the White Oak Canyon trail which feature 6 different waterfalls. The full hike is 9.5 miles but we did about a 5.5 mile loop. Afterwards, we headed back into Luray to grab a beer at the local brewery Hawksbill. It was a great spot and we were taught by the locals how to exactly say Luray ending a long debate among us friends. Apparently it’s LOO-ray if you’re a local and Luh-RAY if you’re an out-of-towner. Insider tips!

THE HIKE: Whiteoak Canyon Trail (Shenandoah National Park)

Length: 9.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,400ft
Difficulty: Hard
Time: 4-5 hours
Trail use: Hiking and leashed pets
Parking: Large lot ($35 per car fee to enter park)
H&H: 4/5

White Oak Canyon is a fairly popular trail located in Shenandoah National Park near the Skyland Resort. While it doesn’t lead to an amazing vista like the more popular choices such as Old Rag or Stony Man, this out and back trail features 6 different waterfalls! It also climbs over 2,000ft so it’s not for the faint of heart. There are two way to tackle this trail. Either you can start in Shenandoah using the parking lot off of mile marker 43 on the Skyline drive. If you’d rather hike up first and end with downhill, you can start at the other end by parking at the Lower Whiteoak Canyon Fee Station. Since our group knew we weren’t quite up for doing the full trail, we opted to start at the Skyline trailhead. Just a heads up, cell service is very spotty in Shenandoah so make sure you have your trail downloaded ahead of time! Or just go to visitor’s center at Skyland where a very nice guide gave us a map and some trail suggestions.

I really liked this trail because of the huge rock formations along the water. I’m such a sucker for a good water trail and this was no exception. It really felt like you were in an ancient forest. And despite this being a more popular trail, we really didn’t run into too many people until later on at the main falls overlook. I also really liked how we followed the river from where it started as a small trickling stream until it turned into a beautiful waterfall! While it wasn’t the biggest or most impressive waterfall I’d ever seen, it was still majestic in its own way. We spent a lot of time at the overlook relaxing and taking pictures (and taking pics of each other taking pics). Then it was time to hike back up.

Do you ever start walking and not realize that you’re going downhill until it’s time to turn around? Yeah that’s what happened to us. I was so focused on the beauty and not tripping on rocks that I didn’t quite realize how steep the trail had gotten until it was time to turn around. We really got a good workout! If you decide to tackle this trail, make sure you have plenty of water and are ready for a bit of a challenge! Needless to say, we were quite ready for beer after this one.

THE BEER: Hawksbill Brewing

Address: 22 Zerkel St, Luray, VA 22835
Distance from Trail Head: 21 miles, 35 mins
Website: https://www.hawksbillbrewing.com/
Food?: Bring your own!
H&H Rating: 4/5

Okay okay, I know I said I usually try to keep the brews less than 30 mins from the trailhead. But I hope you’ll let this one slide since more than half of the drive is along the beautiful Skyline Drive in the national park!

Hawksbill Brewing is a small brewery in Luray, Virginia which prides themselves on being grown here and brewed here. They partner with local farms in the county to source the freshest ingredients and even make their Hooray for Luray using their own homegrown Cascade hops! Their beer was pretty good and was all the more refreshing after our exhausting hike. Even better though, Hawksbill was one of the friendliest breweries we’ve ever been to. It had such a great small town vibe and we instantly felt welcome. They had a sizable taproom with bar and table seating, as well as picnic tables outside with a lovely view of the mountains. It was too bad that we had to drive home or I could have stayed here all evening!

OUR BEER

Hooray for Luray – IPA – 6.3%
Seven Days a Wheat (Watermelon) – Wheat Beer – 5.25%
Brown Cow – Milk Stout – 6.1%
Cock Your Doodle Doo – Stout – 6.3%

SUM UP:

Whiteoak Canyon is a difficult hike in Shenandoah National Park that features six waterfalls. It has steep elevation but you’re rewarded with incredible views all along the way. Make sure to bring plenty of water and have sturdy shoes! After you finish up this challenging hike, reward yourself with a cold one at Hawksbill Brewing Company. They have a variety of beer styles with a focus on locally grown ingredients. It’s a proudly local place and you may find yourself chatting with the table next to you. If you’re looking to get out of the city, this is the perfect hike & hop for you!