On April 26 the Association we will celebrate the 71st anniversary of the legendary hike led by Justice William O. Douglas with hiking options, cycling options, and an evening dinner.
The hikes and bicycle rides will depart from Dickerson Conservation Area at mile 39.5 on the towpath. After the outdoor activities a catered dinner will be offered at St. Peters Episcopal Church in Poolesville, MD. After dinner Bert Swain will make a presentation about his family and their long association with Swain’s Lock.
The schedule:
- 10 a.m. – Shuttle bus for long- and medium-distance hikers departs. Hikers will disembark at Sycamore Landing for a 12.3-mile return walk or at Edwards Ferry for a 8.7-mile return walk.
- 10 a.m. – Cyclists opting for the 16-mile ride depart, going up to Monocacy Aqueduct, Whites Ferry, and Turtle Run Campsite
- 10 a.m. – Cyclists opting for the 28-mile circuit depart for their ride which goes to Monocacy Aqueduct, climbs Sugarloaf Mountain, and returns via scenic back roads.
- 11 a.m. – Shuttle bus for short-distance hikers departs, taking them to Whites Ferry for a 4.0-mile return trek.
- 4 p.m. – Happy Hour: beer, wine, sodas, water (no charge with a paid dinner)
- 5 p.m. – Dinner
- 6 p.m. – Program: Bert Swain
Payment options (Deadline April 16)
Download the PDF form and mail a check.
Visit the online payment page.
Bicycle rides
The Association has organized two rides for cycling enthusiasts. Both start at Dickerson Conservation Area at 10 a.m. Helmets are required and bells are recommended.
First, Denny Sloppy will lead the 16-mile round-trip ride, going up to Monocacy Aqueduct, then back down past Whites Ferry to Turtle Run Campsite, and back to the start. This leisurely ride will average 10-11 mph.
Second, Lori Sperling will lead the more ambitious 28-mile circuit, averaging 14-15 mph. The group will first head for Monocacy Aqueduct, then north to climb up Sugarloaf Mountain and back down. Next they will take some amazing back roads to Nolands Ferry on the towpath before returning to the starting point. Here’s a link to the route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/49516035 .
Hike highlights
The history of the Dickerson Conservation Area, now part of the Maryland-National Capitol Park and Planning Commission, goes back to the operating days of the Canal and beyond. The Maryland champion sycamore tree, circumference 25 feet, is growing beside the canal there.
Long hikers begin their hike at Sycamore Landing, mile 27.2, with the 1,971 acre McGee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area running along the berm. Birders and hunters frequent the managed wild lands. Native American camps In the river islands and shores have been archeologically explored in the last several decades. After the WMA, the turf fields of the Summit Hall Turf Farm can be seen through the trees on the berm.
Two miles farther on, The combined waters of Chisel Branch and Cabin Branch enter Culvert 42 with its 12 foot span. Just beyond is Chisel Branch Hiker Biker Campsite. Shortly after the campsite, hikers come to the Goose Creek River Lock, which gave canal boats access to the river and Goose Creek in Virginia. As part of its agreement to buy stock in the Canal, Virginia required 3 river locks which afforded Its merchants access to the canal. Two other river locks are at Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry.
Just beyond the river lock is Edwards Ferry, an important crossing, especially during the Civil War. The down stream end of the lock was extended during prosperous canal years in the late 1800’s to allow 2 boats to lock through at the same time. Here also are the ruins of Jarboe’s Store. Eugene Jarboe drowned in the canal while offloading cargo. His 3 children operated the store until 1906.
A mile farther on, Broad Run Trunk takes the towpath over Broad Run. Originally a culvert of twin 16 foot spans that washed out in 1846, it was replaced with a wooden “trunk”. Experts disagree as to whether it’s a culvert or an aqueduct, making it unique in the colorful history of the canal.
In the river north and south of mile marker 34, Harrison Island is one of the longest in the Potomac. In October, 1861 on the Virginia shore opposite the island, the Battle of Balls Bluff was disastrous for the Union Army.
Present day Whites Ferry, at mile 35.5, features a long history predating the Canal. The ferry closed in 2020 due to the Virginia shore owners blocking access to the river. However, Whites Ferry Grill remains open. A pamphlet on the Whites Ferry and Monocacy Granaries can be found in the Grill. An iron bridge on Senaca sandstone abutments carried traffic over the canal in the working days of the canal. Seventy five feet south of the bridge, the up and downstream stone arches are all that remain of Culvert 51. That culvert had a wooden trunk.
Just above the Whites Ferry Road crossover to the ferry landing, the stabilized ruins of Elijah White’s Granary are on the berm. Here farmers could sell their products for later loading on canal boats. Lovely Virginia Bluebells and other spring wildflowers will be blooming along the towpath for the next mile. Then the towpath starts a sweeping turn to the right and Masons Island appears in the river. An eagle’s nest can be seen in one of the large sycamores on the bank of the island. The remains of unmarked Benjamin Latrobe’s Quarry is in the cliff along the berm. The quarry’s limestone breccia was shaped into the beautiful columns that uphold the U.S. Capitol Statuary Hall.
A half mile farther on, Marble Quarry Hiker/Biker campsite welcomes overnight visitors. Whites Ford at mile marker 39 gave shallow water to the invading Confederate army in 1862. Just beyond, Woods Lock, #26, has been filled in to prevent the walls from collapsing inward. Careful examination reveals the lock was extended downstream. An ancient decaying silver maple between the lock and lockhouse foundation must have started growing here during the canal’s operating days. Just beyond is the starting point.
Happy hour and dinner
At 4 p.m. after the hikes and rides, participants will gather at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Poolesville, Md, for Happy Hour and appetizers, followed by a delicious dinner prepared by locally acclaimed Bassetts Restaurant. The after-dinner speaker will be Bert Swain presenting the fascinating history of his family at Swain’s Lock on the canal.
Hikers riding the shuttle will need to pay $5, and the cost of the dinner is $33 for members and $38 for non-members. Registration for the shuttle and dinner follows.
For further information, contact [email protected]