Heritage Hike Oct. 26
This year’s hikes and bicycle ride will center on the Paw Paw Tunnel and recently reopened Tunnel Hollow. After two years closure for repairs, the Tunnel Hollow reopened last fall with new pins and netting to stabilize the rock wall and with a new boardwalk. A headlamp or flashlight is recommended for hiking the Tunnel.
Hikers will gather at the Paw Paw Tunnel Campground for hikes of varying lengths. All hikers and cyclists must sign a waiver before departing.
Parking
Hikers arriving at the campground parking may find it full. In that event a shuttle will be provided for them to park their cars just across the Potomac in Paw Paw, WV and bring them back. At the end of the hike, they will be returned to their cars.
Departure times
Long hikers will board a shuttle van at 10 a.m. They will be dropped at Town Creek for a 6.3-mile hike back to the parking lot. On returning, they can hike through the Tunnel and Hollow and back for an additional 1.2 miles each way, or over the Tunnel Hill Trail. This two-mile Trail from its end in the Hollow to the top of the ridge and down to the towpath near the upstream portal is steep and rocky in places. The elevation change is 435 feet. Sturdy boots and hiking poles are recommended. Near the upstream end of the trail, there is an option to take a less steep, but less scenic, trail down to the towpath.
Medium hikers won’t need a shuttle as they’ll be hiking the Tunnel area. Medium hikers will gather at the campground at 10 a.m. to hike through the Tunnel, then back over the Tunnel Hill Trail. This four-mile loop is steep. The Tunnel Hill Trail is described in the previous paragraph.
Short hikers won’t need a shuttle either. They should gather at the campground at 11 a.m. to hike through the Tunnel and Hollow. Hiking round trip from the campground to the end of the Hollow and back is about four miles.
Cyclists are welcome to gather at the Tunnel Campground at 11 a.m. Cyclists can ride upstream for an out-and-back round trip. They can enjoy the fall foliage and historic structures such as Town Creek Aqueduct.
Highlights
Long hikers, who will start at mile point 162.3, and cyclists will notice the abandoned Western Maryland Railroad bed on the berm side of the canal. The Little Cacapon River flows into the Potomac from West Virginia at mile 159.5. The stone arches of the CSX railroad bridge over the Little Cacapon can be seen when leaves are off the trees. A mile later, the canal swings directly north to the Tunnel, making the upstream Tunnel portal south of the downstream portal. Purslane Run culvert passes under the canal 0.3 miles before MP 157.
Next, participants will pass under two bridges. The first is an iron truss bridge of the abandoned WM Railroad. Second is the modern Rt 51 highway bridge at the campground.
After going through the tunnel, hikers will find Locks 63 1/3, 64 2/3, “missing Lock 65”, and Lock 66 at the end of Tunnel Hollow. The fractional numbering arose because contracts had already been let for Locks 70 to 75, before Locks 62 to 66; changing the paperwork would have been too difficult. It was then found that the level of the canal through the Hollow could be raised in three steps instead of four. So, the additional locks through there were numbered 1 1/3 steps apart—62, 63 1/3, 64 2/3, and 66—so that the other locks, already planned, did not have to be renumbered.
Logistical info
For lunch, hikers could picnic in the campground, or at the few eateries in Paw Paw, WV, just across the river. Those wishing to stay overnight Friday can search for accommodations in the area.
Our friends at Calleva are providing the shuttle van. 
The dinner and program will be held at St Peter’s Catholic Church in Hancock. Happy Hour starts at 4 p.m. with a catered dinner starting about 5 p.m. The dinner will feature spaghetti with meatballs or meatless sauce, salad, garlic toast, and desserts.
After dinner Dan Murphy, former mayor of Hancock and a retired veterinarian, will make a presentation on Hancock history and the C&O Canal. He’s also a member of the Hancock Civil War String Band that has played at events along the canal.
The evening’s program starts after dinner.
Contact: Jonnie Lefebure, [email protected].
Payment options (deadline October 17)
Download the PDF form and mail a check.
Visit the online payment page.