The wild character of Sideling Hill in western Maryland is being defended by a joint effort of local residents and conservationists from across the state. The state-owned Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area welcomes visitors for hiking, bird watching, hunting, fishing and other recreation consistent with protection of the wildlife habitat.
An iconic mountain of western Maryland, Sideling Hill lies west of the town of Hancock. It is recognizable from many miles away by the 340-foot deep notch where Interstate 68 was cut through the mountain.
Sideling Hill is part of the natural and pastoral landscape between Hancock and Green Ridge State Forest, a landscape where state-owned lands and privately owned lands have thus far been safe from development. Conservationists have joined with local residents to oppose construction of offroad vehicle trails on Sideling Hill. In October 2013 the Maryland Department of Natural Resources withdrew the ORV trail proposal.
South of I-68 is the Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area (WMA), 3,100 acres acquired by the state of Maryland and managed to protect wildlife habitat and water quality in Sideling Hill Creek, which drains the western side of the mountain. Adjoining the WMA is Woodmont Natural Resources Management Area, also owned by the state and managed for wildlife values.
Maryland's Department of Natural Resources manages the WMA with this top priority: "The overriding goal of this area is to provide forest wildlife habitat and protection for water quality in Sideling Hill Creek."
The steep shale barrens along sections of Sideling Hill Creek support a number of plants that are endemic, meaning they only occur on these barrens and nowhere else. The WMA provides habitat for rare, threatened or endangered plants, including the state and federally endangered plant, Harperella (Ptilimnium nodosum).
Dramatic rock formations in Sideling Hill WMA include scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops of Devonian shale and Chemung and Hampshire sandstone.
The mixed oak forest with scattered stands of Virginia pine attracts many visitors seeking mountain scenery and wildlife. The property has a rolling to steep topography with elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet.
Recreation
Visitors enter the area on foot from Scenic U.S. 40, Riser Road or Stumpf Road, following abandoned woods roads left by logging many years ago. No trails are marked, but it’s an excellent area for hikers who enjoy the challenge of finding their own way.
Bird watchers visit Sideling Hill to see turkeys and ruffed grouse, raptors that migrate along the ridgeline in autumn, and a diverse population of woodland birds. Typical mammals are black bear, white-tailed deer, gray and fox squirrels.
Anglers enjoy fishing for stocked trout in Sideling Hill Creek, and canoeists travel the creek during the spring runoff season.
Hunting is allowed in the area, in accordance with open seasons and regulations. No special permits are required.
How to Get There
Sideling Hill can be seen from Interstate 68 as it crosses through the notch. To reach access points for hiking and sightseeing in the WMA, get off I-68 at Exit 77 (Woodmont Road), turn right on MD 144 (Scenic U.S. 40). At the top of the mountain, turn left onto Riser Road and take a left into a parking area by the transmission towers or continue on Riser Road as it descends through the WMA to the creek. Or continue on the highway and turn right on Stumpf Road and look for an unmarked trailhead leading to the old woods roads on the western side of the mountain. Other access roads to the southern unit are described in the DNR webpage.
For Further Information
DNR webpage for Sideling Hill WMA: http://dnr2.maryland.gov/wildlife/Pages/publiclands/western/sidelinghill.aspx
Map of Sideling Hill WMA: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Publiclands/pdfs/sidelinghillmap.pdf
Geology of the Sideling Hill road cut: http://www.mgs.md.gov/esic/brochures/sideling.html