Maryland: Backbone Mountain

3,360 ft (1,024 m)

Hoye-Crest, at 3,360 feet (1,024 meters), is the high point of Maryland and the highest point along Backbone Mountain—the state’s longest mountain ridge. Located in the southwestern corner of the state, it’s reached via a short, moderate walk along the Meadow Mountain Trail—a former forest road that winds gently uphill through shady hardwoods. A small sign and bench mark the summit, with no sweeping views but plenty of peaceful atmosphere. It’s the kind of highpoint that feels more like a nature walk than a mountain ascent, and that’s part of its appeal. For highpointers, Hoye-Crest is a calm and satisfying stop—proof that not every summit needs switchbacks to be satisfying.

More to come…