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| | CO Canal MP 130.7-140.9, MD | | | |
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CO Canal MP 130.7-140.9, MD
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| Hiking | 12.42 Miles |
311 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.42 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 3.11 mph |
| 311 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Today, I hiked the C&O Canal from Cohill Station (MP 130.7) to Fifteen Mile Creek Campground (MP 140.9) in Little Orleans, checking out the Indigo Tunnel bat cave, and other cool stuff along the way. It was wet and chilly — but not raining — when I started hiking at 8:20 a.m. 
Along most of this segment, the Potomac River is closer than it is downstream. Though it could be because it is late in the year, the brush between the towpath and river is also less dense.
MP 133.6: Capacon Junction CG has a portapotty, picnic table, grill, fire pit, direction & distance sign and doggie doo bag dispenser. The well hand pump actually had a working handle, which I pumped a half dozen times with no result. You may have better luck with more patience. 
MP 134.0: Lock 54 is filled in and grassed over. Lock 54 is the first time I recall seeing two channels in a C&O Canal lock — I assume so canal boats can pass going back upstream? A stone foundation is all that remains of Lockhouse 54.
MP 134.1: Lock 55 has easy access to the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Guard Lock 6 is right across the towpath from Lock 55. Guard locks feed water into a canal from water accumulated behind a dam: Unfortunately, the only part of Dam 6 that I photographed was its info sign. 
A mile into my hike, it started drizzling. After three miles of sprinkles, the rain grew heavier, but thankfully not a downpour like I experienced back at Great Falls [ photoset ] . By the time I reached Lock 56, the rain had ended.
MP 136.3: There's no formal trailhead here, but Lock 56 can be used for a halfway pickup. There’s a canoe rental across Pearre Rd. Lockhouse 56 is extant, but … ah … locked up.
MP 136.6: Sideling Hill Creek Aqueduct is one of the shortest on the canal at 110 ft. long, with a single asymmetrical 60-foot arch. Completed in 1850, the aqueduct was built with Tonoloway Limestone, Pocono Sandstone fill from Sideling Hill, and cement from Round Top Mill and Leopards Mill. More on C&O Canal aqueducts: http://fhgft.org/cocanal/ewExternalFile ... %20Res.pdf .
MP 137.9: Below a rocky 400 ft. bluff, the the rail trail merges into the towpath. The rail bed continues to the east portal of Indigo Tunnel. 
MP 139.4: Lock 57 and Indigo Neck CG, which has the usual amenities. Like a few miles earlier, the well hand pump had a working handle. I didn’t need the water, as I was carrying my Camelbak. Lockhouse 57’s stone foundation, and most of its chimney, is still standing. I’d be tempted to camp in it.
MP 140.3: The rail trail splits back off the towpath. Follow the steel & cement bridge for 100 yds. to the "Mile 26 WMRT" post, then 50 obvious yards to the west portal. As I approached the Bat Cave, I heard -- but did not see -- several bats, despite Indigo Tunnel being Maryland’s largest known bat refuge. 
MP 140.9: I intended to end my hike with a beer at Bill’s Place in Little Orleans ( https://www.yelp.com/biz/bills-place-little-orleans ), but they are only open Thursday-Sunday, and today was Monday. Instead, I met my wife at Fifteen Mile Creek CG, which is free parking, fee camping.
HIke Video: https://vimeo.com/767888633 |
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Autumn Foliage Observation Light
Western Maryland seems to peak 2nd or 3rd week of October. |
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Wildflowers Observation None
Three. Total. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
