Owner of Sugarloaf considers rescinding public access

Board members from the nonprofit owner of Sugarloaf Mountain said Tuesday that they’ll consider closing the mountain to the public if the Frederick County Council approves a plan to preserve and rezone it. The organization, Stronghold Inc., is strongly against the county government’s Sugarloaf Treasured Landscape Management Plan. Members of its board of directors reiterated that during Tuesday’s County Council meeting. “Stronghold opposes the plan as it is written. It tends to remove any and all personal property rights that we now retain,” said John Webster, president of the board. The mountain is free to the public for hiking, bird watching and other activities and programs.