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| CO Canal MP 166.7-175.7, MD | |
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| | CO Canal MP 166.7-175.7, MD | | | |
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CO Canal MP 166.7-175.7, MD
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| Hiking | 10.48 Miles |
236 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.48 Miles | 3 Hrs 30 Mns | | 2.99 mph |
| 236 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | The drive from I-68 to the Lock 75 trailhead (MP 175.7) is twisty; vehicle GPS recommended. I drove past that on MD-51 to start in Oldtown (MP 167.7).
The lockhouse at Oldtown Lock 70 is open on summer weekends. The six miles to Spring Gap is supposed to be one of the best birding spots along the C&O Canal, but I didn’t hear as many birds as the Bonds Landing to Paw Paw segment.
MP 168.4: I’m not sure if the previous mile is part of Battie Mixon’s Pond, or if this is it, but it’s definitely a pond. I didn’t bother checking out the whazzits on the far shore.
MP 169.2: Pigman’s Ferry Campground's well pump gave no water even after 20 pumps. You may have better luck.
MP 170.9: Historical marker for Kelley’s Island Engagement, one of the small, early, Civil War engagements pre-dating the First Battle of Bull Run. Opposite the marker is a jeep trail across the canal and uphill. I walked 200 yds. up the jeep trail to a smooth gravel road, which appears to be an extension of Buckley Rd. This would be bail / pickup point, if you segment the towpath differently than I did.
MP 173.3: Spring Gap Campground has vehicle-accessible camping spots for $20 / night. The well pump had a handle that was stuck. Luckily, I had plenty of water.
MP 174.4: Lock 72 had a fair amount of vehicle noise from MD-51, which is sometimes visible through the trees.
MP 175.4: I forgot to check the Irons Mountain Campground well pump. 
Lock 73 is directly across the towpath. It is followed in quick succession by Lock 74 and Lock 75. The three locks are collectively known as the North Branch locks, after the unicorporated area of south Cumberland, where they are located.
I finished my hike in 3h 30m, plus 54 minutes “stopped time”. Most of that stopped time was consumed taking photos & videos. 368 of them — three or four of each subject, just to be sure — which I whittled down to 143, from which I selected 50 for my video and HAZ. Two more C&O Canal segments to go!
Hiking Video: https://vimeo.com/858242199 |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
Besides flowers in photoset, also saw chicory, dandelion and yarrow. |
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| http://prestonm.com : Everyone's enjoyment of the outdoors is different and should be equally honored. |
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