Troop 349 Biking Campout Down the 55 Miles on the C&O Canal Towpath
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Troop 349 Biking Campout down the 55 miles on the C&O Canal Towpath Harper’s Ferry, WV to Washington, DC Sat & Sun, May 21-22, 2011 Deadline for permission slip & payment: Tuesday, May 17 www.Troop349.us 1 Discription: Before you start this epic journey, prepare yourself with some shorter trips. The towpath is not paved - the surface is clay and crushed stone – and is a bit rough. The 184.5 mile-long Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, located along the north bank of the Potomac River, runs from Washington, DC to Cumberland, MD. The canal was built between 1828 and 1850, and it operated until 1924. In 1971 the canal became a National Historic Park. Today, much of the canal has been drained of water and reclaimed by the forest. However, the canal's towpath remains a favorite of hikers, joggers, and bicyclists. Hiker- biker campsites contain a water pump and jiffy john. Campsites are chosen on a first come, first-serve basis. C&O Canal Bicycling Guide Mile 40 thru 50 This section contains the beautiful Monocacy Aqueduct, a 500 foot, seven arch, stone bridge used to carry the canal over the Monocacy River. The aqueduct took 4 years to build and was completed in 1833. Next to the tunnel at Paw-Paw (mile 155), is this probably the second most impressive structure on the canal. In the 1970s, the Park service erected temporary exo- skeleton supports around the aqueduct due to damage caused by repeated flooding. In 2005, aqueduct repairs were finally completed, and so the exo-skeleton has been removed. The only other point of interest that you "might" see in this section is the Dickerson power plant (mile 41). In 1992, a training course was built in the power plant's warm water discharge spillway for the US Olympic Kayak Team. You might be able to see it through the chain-link gate at the south side of the complex. Trail conditions are historically poor in the mile or two prior to the town of Point-of- Rocks, Maryland. Expect to navigate around many mud holes in this section. The rest of the path is typically in good shape. Access to the town of Point-of-Rocks is by way of a small, wooden, one-lane bridge over the canal bed. The town is mainly a collection of run down homes. However, there are two stores/deli's about a block off the towpath. This makes the town a good lunch/re-supply stop. www.Troop349.us 2 Just after the wooden bridge, the C&O Canal passes through the Catoctin Mountain Range. During the canal construction, the B&O Railroad mounted an unsuccessful legal challenge for the narrow right-of-way through this pass. As a result, the railroad was forced to tunnel through the mountain. After the canal failed, the railroad built a second track in the abandoned canal bed. However, the towpath is still intact through the pass. Access Points from westbound Route 28: 39.6: Dickerson Regional Park - make left turn onto Martinsburg Rdat yellow flashing light. Park is on the right after about 2 miles (at bottom of long hill) 42.1: Monocacy Aqueduct - make left turn onto Mouth of Monocacy Rd (about 1 mile past Dickerson, MD). 44.6: Nolands Ferry - (near Tuscarora, MD). Easy access from Route 28 via Noland Road or New Design Road. Access Points from Route 15: 48.2: Point of Rocks, MD - located right on the north side of the Potomac River Bridge, at the intersection with Route 28. After turning off Route 15, make immediate right turn and follow short road behind homes to the canal. www.Troop349.us 3 Mile Name Info Dickerson 39.8 Access from Martinsburg Rd. X Conservation Park Dickerson Power US Olympic Kayak Team trains in spillway next to 41.6 Plant towpath. Monocacy 42.1 An Endangered US Historic Site X Aqueduct 42.4 Indian Flats H/B 0.3 miles from vehicle access at mile 42.1 X X Boat Ramp and Picnic Area. Access from New 44.6 Nolands Ferry X Design Road. 0.8 miles from vehicle access at mile 48.2 47.6 Calico Rocks H/B X X Located near busy railroad. Subject to noise. Point of Rocks, Route 15 Bridge ahead provides bike access to 48.2 X MD Virginia Located 0.1 miles away from river, just 48.2 B & S Minimart downstream from Route 15 bridge. Serves fried X chicken, subs, hot dogs, ice cream. Bald Eagle Island 0.5 miles from vehicle access at mile 50.8Located 50.3 X X H/B near busy railroad. Subject to noise. 50.8 Lock 29 Access from Lander Road X www.Troop349.us 4 C&O Canal Bicycling Guide Mile 25 thru 40 Once you pass the Seneca Creek Aqueduct, the conditions change radically. The canal bed here is no longer watered and thus has been completely reclaimed by forest growth. This makes the towpath quite shady, which is great during the summer months, but it does greatly limit the scenery. Also, the wide towpath you had enjoyed eventually changes into a dual track trail Expect to see a bunch of wildlife, including towpath favorites such as deer, rabbits, and the occasional fox. The first hiker-biker campsites also begin in this section. Each site contains a water pump and jiffy john. Campsites are chosen on a first-come, first-serve basis. The major point of interest in this section is Whites Ferry, the only working ferry on the Potomac. You can use the ferry to cross over to Leesburg, Va ($1 for bikes, $3 for cars) where lodging is available. Leesburg is about 4 miles from White's Ferry via Business Route 15. Route 15 is a very busy highway, however there are now paved shoulders along the busiest section. Access Points from River Road: 27.2: Mckee-Beshers Wildlife Area - after passing Hughes Rd, make the first left onto Sycamore Landing Rd. A parking area is located about 0.75 miles down this gravel road. Access Points from Poolesvile, MD: 30.8: Edwards Ferry - take Whites Ferry Road (Route 107) west for about 1 mile. Turn left on Edwards Ferry Road. Follow to end (about 4.5 miles). 35.5: Whites Ferry - take Whites Ferry Road west Route between Whites Ferry and (Route 107) for about 6 miles. Leesburg 39.6: Dickerson Regional Park - take Whites Ferry Use Caution on Route 15! Road (Route 107) west for about 1 mile. Turn right on Wasche Rd. After another mile, make the first left onto Martinsburg Rd. The park is on the right at the bottom of the long hill www.Troop349.us 5 www.Troop349.us 6 Mile Name Info Horsepen Branch 1.2 miles from vehicle access at mile 27.2 26.0 X X H/B (map) Troop 349 backup camp site. Mckee-Beshers Access via Sycamore Landing Rd, 0.75 27.2 X Wildlife Area miles from River Rd. Chisel Branch H/B 0.3 miles from vehicle access at mile 30.8 30.5 X X (map) Troop 349 primary choice for camping Edward Ferry Troop 349 vehicles should expect to park 30.8 X Boat Ramp here Broad Run Trunk 31.9 (Ruins) Aqueduct 34.5 Turtle Run H/B 1.0 miles from vehicle access at mile 35.5 X X 301-349-5200: Food/Store (May-Oct only) - 35.5 Whites Ferry Bike/auto access to Leesburg, VA via Ferry X X (Fee). 800.644.1806: Leesburg: 108 Loudoun St 35.5 Norris House Inn SW. Accessible via Ferry and Business X Route 15. Shuttle Available Marble Quarry 38.1 1.5 miles from vehicle access at mile 39.6 X X H/B Dickerson 39.8 Conservation Access from Martinsburg Rd. X Park www.Troop349.us 7 C&O Canal Bicycling Guide Mile 10 thru 25 This is probably the most heavily used section of the canal. Generally, the towpath here is in excellent condition, and the canal basin still contains water. In April 2006, after more than 30 years, the Widewater towpath breach (between mile 12.6 and 13.7) was finally repaired (much rejoicing!). As a result, you no longer need to carry your bike up and down the stairs to use the Berma Rd detour (although this is still a nice alternative route). The major point of interest in this section is Great Falls, located at mile 14. During nice weather, this area is crawling with folks out to enjoy hiking on the challenging Billy Goat Trail, rock climbing in Mather Gorge, kayaking in the Potomac rapids below Great Falls, or just enjoying a stroll along the towpath. Use caution and be courteous around the pedestrians. Once you pass Great Falls, the towpath quickly becomes less crowded. Swain's Lock is a nice place to stop for a break. At mile 22.8 are the remains of the Seneca Creek Aqueduct. This three arch aqueduct is the first of eleven such structures along the canal. The western most arch was destroyed by a local thunderstorm flood on Sept 11, 1971. Access from the Capital Beltway: Take exit 41 (on Maryland Side of American Legion Bridge). Follow Clara Barton Parkway towards Carderock. The following areas are accessible: 10.4: Carderock - about 1 mile from beltway. Follow signs to recreation area. 12.6: Old Angler's Inn - follow Clara Barton Pkwy to end (at tee) Make left on to MaCarthur Blvd. Parking available about 1 mile ahead on left, across the street from the Inn.