This is one of ten caches placed for Cache Across Maryland 2022. You must find all ten caches prior to the picnic held on Saturday, May 14, 2022 in order to receive a free Maryland Geocaching Society CAM geocoin.
Make note of the attribute symbol found inside each cache container. You must enter all the symbols into an online decoder in order to print a claim form and receive your geocoin at the picnic. More info on CAM is available here.
Devil's Racecourse
The Devil's Racecourse is a so-called "River of Rocks' clogged with light grey chunks of quartzite. The Devil's Racecouse formed during the most recent glacial period (roughly 85,000 - 11,000 years ago), when extreme freeze and thaw episodes caused the break-up of larger rocks along the ridges above. Following the stream of Rattling Run, still here but hidden beneath the boulders, thousand of bits of quartzite settled in this low trough to form the feature seen today.
The origin of its name remains a mystery, but some say the river of rocks that looks to be more than 100 feet wide and about half a mile long was the Devil’s attempt to create an impossible race course. Either way, the result is a large, open area void of vegetation that will send a shiver up your spine.
Take your hiking boots, water, a snack, and other reasonable safety measures for hiking in the woods. Please note that you are traversing across rocks and boulders which can and will shift unexpectedly. Please do take precautions and know your own personal limits. You can access the racecourse down the short trail from the suggested parking area and then downstream across the boulders OR by hiking along the edge of the boulder field until close to ground zero and then across the rocks to ground zero. If using the former watch our for ankle twisters. If using the latter please note that poison ivy does grow in abundance along the edges of the rock field.
The area is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. However, it is recommended to only come during daylight hours and without rain or snow.
