Calvert Cliffs State Park
Calvert Cliffs State Park has been on my "wishlist" of parks I have wanted to visit for a long time now. It has shark's teeth and fossils on the beach which is a 1.8 mile hike through the woods from the parking lot.
The massive cliffs along the beach on the Chesapeake Bay were formed over 10 to 20 million years ago when all of southern Maryland was covered the sea. When the sea receded the cliffs were exposed and began eroding. Today, the cliffs reveal the remains of prehistoric species Including sharks, whales, rays, and seabirds.
Sadly, the cliffs and the beach below the cliffs have been closed off due to erosion and mudslides. You can still walk the beach, but it didn't find any shark teeth or fossils.
It was a great walk through the woods, though. Lots of cool scenery. Creeks along the path, a lilypond, lots of turtles, evidence of beavers chewing on trees, a beaver dam, lots of ferns throughout the trees, and lots of mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) that was in full bloom. And it heard LOTS of birds in the trees.
The paths were very wet in places due to the recent heavy rains, but the trail was all passable. There are miles of intersection trails. I hiked the red trail which provides the shortest route to the beach. It's an easy hike, you just have to be prepared for the distance.
It's always a good day when you go for a walk in the woods.
