Hoye-Crest is the highest point in Maryland. It's just one rise along the ridge of Backbone Mountain, which is located in both West Virginia and Maryland. The trailhead up the mountain begins on the West Virginia side. For years, driving back and forth from Dolly Sods, I've seen this sign along US-Route 219, and I've always wanted to stop and do the hike to the top. But the only reason I even go to the Sods is because my backpacking buddy is obsessed with the place--like the numberless hordes who descend on it each weekend--and he has no interest in climbing peaks. Admittedly, by this point in the drive, you're either just really ready to get to the Sods or you're really ready to head home. Stopping for an unplanned uphill trek doesn't usually hold much appeal.
And it is an uphill trek, but only about a mile in length. I made a special trip down there just to bag this peak...my third state high point. So far, I've bagged the high points for Pennsylvania, Mississippi, and now Maryland. Of the three, this one is actually the prettiest.
There are some pleasant views along the way... At 3,360 feet above sea level, Hoye-Crest is 147 feet higher than Pennsylvania's high point, Mt. Davis.
And frankly, Hoye-Crest commands a better view. This is one of the views from the top, looking east into Maryland. There's a better view from a different spot at the end of this post.
A side trail leads to this old boundary marker between the two states.
That heap of stones is at the actual summit. Although it's not the highest mountain I've ever climbed, it was still windy and cold up at the top. I was glad I brought an extra jacket, which I didn't need anymore by the time I got back down to the bottom.
It's scenic enough, right? I mean, it's not a Colorado mountaintop panorama, but still pleasant. And it's humbling to think that these mountains were once as tall as the Rockies, but they've been worn down over long eons of time. Maryland is a nice little state. They've got a little bit of everything, but not much of anything, if you know what I mean. Mountains? Check! (Nothing too grandiose, but technically mountains.) Beaches? Check! (Again, a little narrow and crowded...it's not Oahu, but you could swim here and get a sunburn.) Major cities? Check! (It's Baltimore...but hey, they got one.) One thing they have in Maryland is the coolest state flag of all 50!
