Blackplate doesn't want to give the Grist Mill Trail a 5-star rating because it's paved and that it should have been left in a 'gravel' state. It's the only trail in this part of Patapsco Valley State Park that is paved. The only reason that the Grist Mill Trail is paved is because it was made to be accessable to everyone including those in wheelchairs. Wheelchairs don't work too well on gravel. There is no move to pave any of the other trails.

Since this is the only trail that is listed for Patapsco Valley State Park in the Elkridge/Ellicott City area I am going to comment on this and about the park. First the Grist Mill Trail is very short and paved not really for Mountain Biking. However, off of this paved trail are numerous and awesome dirt trails that vary in length and skill level. There are trails on both sides of the river. If parking at the park it is $2 to get in. You can also park outside the park at the end of the Grist Mill, on Landing Road, or off of South Rolling Road across from the Park & Ride. The benefit of parking in the park is that all the trails are downhill to get to the parking area.

Right off the Cascade Falls Trail you can also cross Landing Road and hit the Rockburn Trails. You can definitely spend a whole day right here riding the trails.

I would haved loved to give this beautiful trail the 5 star rating it deserves but patapsco valley trails are being paved too much. Paving trails provides a perfect spillway for silt, nutrient and chemical pollutants and also warms nearby streams and lakes unaturally. Please be aware of this problem. Gravel is great! Stop paving the trails.

This is a decent short trail. It does go slightly uphill from the parking lot, but is mostly straight. Please note, you need to pay a fee to enter the park. It's the honor system during the week, and they have a manned booth on the weekends. The roads are not very well marked either. The trail is wooded and would be a good ride for families, but is too short to get any good mileage in. The trail is asphalt, but there are some rough spots that are quite gravely, and several raised tree root areas, so be aware.

This is a nice little trail (just under 2 1/2 miles). Along the way, there are plenty of signs with historical facts, you will hear the water fall at the hydroelectric damn, see people fishing, picnicking, wading in the water. There are all types of foundations for old bridges. And it is shaded enough so that, even on a fairly warm day, you won't have any discomfort. Although I did not go past the end of the trail, I was told there is a visitor's center not far past the end, where you can get refreshments. One caveat: if you are direction-challenged in any way, and if you are coming from Frederick Road, down Hilltop Place: Hilltop Place (which turns into Hilltop Road) is a very suburban, residential road. All of a sudden, it turns into only forest for over 1/2 mile, and then there is a parking lot on the left for hikers/bikers. Do not be fooled into thinking that this must be River Road. This is actually the parking lot for the Buzzard Rocks Trail, which looks like it might work for mountain bikes and does eventually connect with the Grist Mill Trail. If your goal is the Grist Mill Trail, be sure to skip this first parking lot and follow the road to the right down a very steep hill about a quarter mile to River Road. You DO NOT want to park at the first lot (it is the wrong place) and ride your bike back up this hill (unless, of course, you are a masochist). (or Lance Armstrong)