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Douglas Hike

The Association’s 2023 annual Douglas Reunion Hike, which commemorates the famous 1954 hike led by Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, is set for Saturday, April 29. The hike route is from Old Anglers Inn to Rileys Lock. It will feature three hiking options along the towpath, a social hour, dinner, and evening speaker.

Hiking options

Hike participants can park at the Rileys Lock. (See Google Map.) Bus transportation will be provided to three starting points, and hikers will then walk back to their vehicles at their own pace. The first bus will depart at 10:00 a.m. and drop hikers at:

  • Old Anglers Inn (10.6-mile hike back)

The second bus will depart at noon and drop hikers at:

  • River Road at Swain’s Lock Road – medium hikers will disembark and walk 0.4 mile down the road to the lockhouse, because the bus is unable to turn around in the small lockhouse parking lot (6.6-mile hike)
  • Pennyfield Lock (3.1-mile hike)

Hikers will sign an Association waiver before boarding. Bring a bag lunch and a beverage.

The bus free to hikers. Shuttle service is being donated by the Calleva River School at Rileys Lock.

Dinner and happy hour

At 4:30 p.m. we will gather at the Upper Montgomery County Volunteer Fire Department in Beallsville, Md. for happy hour, to be followed at 5:30 p.m. by dinner. Main course options are roasted turkey or vegetarian lasagna. Indicate dinner option choice when registering. Side dishes include tossed salad, scalloped potatoes, pasta salad and mixed vegetables.

After dinner author James Rada, Jr will be talking about forgotten stories of the canal and his research into some canal murder mysteries. He will also have some of his books for sale.

The happy hour and dinner cost $30. Visit https://candocanal.org/23douglas/ to register on-line or download a registration form for the dinner and the bus. The forms with payment must be received by Friday, April 21, after which no cancellations or additions will be honored for the dinner. Also, please be sure to check the Association website calendar for any updates regarding the Douglas Hike. If you have questions, contact Jonnie Lefebure at [email protected]

Payment options (Deadline April 21)