blue blazes (whiskey) trail

December 4, 2020

Not so long ago, my son and I went for a hike…this was back on October 28. I can’t believe it was that long ago… We decided to go to the Blue Blazes Still trail located in the Catoctin Mts, outside of Thurmont, MD.

I tried to include a map, but none seemed good enough to share…

We try to get out as much as we can, depending on the weather. Now that winter is starting to set in, our adventures will be few and far between. I figured now is as good a time, as any, to share. I’ve actually been meaning to share before now, but life got in the way…

The hike we are going on today is, the blue blazes still…a short, easy hike – being only 0.3 miles one way (0.6 miles round trip).

Hope you enjoy!

This trail is part of Catoctin Mt trail system and is very easy to walk. The falling fall leaves made it a little harder, but the trail was still easy to follow. It helps that the trail more or less follows the creek back to the still.

“This trail follows the bank of Blue Blazes Run to the site of the Thurmont areas most famous whiskey still. Some early settlers distilled alcohol for family use. Others had an economic reason: a horse could haul four bushels of corn; if the corn was turned into whiskey, then the horse could haul the equivalent of 24 bushels. A few avoided taxes by making and selling by the light of the moon.
The Blue Blazes Whiskey Still was, however, a large, illegal, commercial distillery during the 1920’s Prohibition Era. Here the operators had the essentials: clean water, plenty of firewood, and nearby supplies of corn.”

Being in rural, western Maryland, transporting goods was hard to do – and expensive. The roads and interstate system was nothing like it is today. Horses were the only way to transport anything through the mountains in the days before the railroad.

The still that sits here today is much different than what was found that day back in 1929.

“This was one of the largest and best equipped whiskey stills ever found in Frederick County, Maryland. During the 1929 raid, thirteen huge vats, which could each hold 2,000 gallons, were found yielding more than 25,000 gallons of mash.” (https://www.nps.gov/cato/learn/historyculture/blue-blazes-whiskey-still-exhibit.htm)

Some nature photos along the way…

hope you enjoyed the easy stroll through nature and a little bit of an American/Maryland history lesson! there’s more, but the rest will have to wait for another day!

What in blue blazes were you thinking????

hope you have a great day!
thanks for stopping by!!

(pinterest)

A side note: About the “free state” info in the post… the nickname actually dates back to 1864 when the Maryland Constitution was adapted. I looked this up, because what was stated on the website/my photos didn’t sound right.

“Free State. Maryland was first recognized as a “Free State” on November 1, 1864. On that date, the Maryland Constitution of 1864 took effect. By its provisions, slavery within the State’s borders was abolished, and Maryland, indeed, became a free state. To celebrate the emancipation, under direction of the Baltimore City Council, five hundred guns were fired, bells were rung, and flags displayed “to attest the joy of the people at their great deliverance.” (https://msa.maryland.gov/msa/mdmanual/01glance/html/nickname.html)

take care
stay safe
much love