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Archive for the ‘C&O Canal’ Category

C and O Canal Motorcycle Ride: Ferry Hill Plantation

Posted: August 13, 2014 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides, motorcycle touring
Tags: C&O Canal, Harley, Harley Davidson, Maryland, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Ride, motorcycle touring, national park, Sportbike, West Virginia

Ferry Hill Plantation

Location – Ferry Hill Plantation

Mile Marker –72.8

Historical Comments – Just up the street from Lock 38 is the Ferry Hill Plantation. The area around the plantation began as a cross river ferry site in the 1760’s. The ferry and plantation remained in a single family’s hands until 1958, a really good run. It site served as a restaurant and bar until 1974, catering to the students from Shepherd College across the river in Shepherdstown, WV.

The plantation served as the headquarters of the C&O Canal National Park system from 1979 to 2001. Now it is a museum to the C&O Canal and plantation life in Maryland. If you are touring the Canal this is a nice side stop.

Ride to Site – At the intersection of Route 34 and Canal Road, the ride to the plantation is a smooth easy ride. Coming from Canal Road be aware of the traffic on Route 34 as the speed limit does not seem enforced.

Amenities – Visitors Center, public restrooms, parking

Road Conditions (from main road) – paved

Railway Situation – none

Parking Lot Conditions – Paved and pea gravel

Main Attraction – Ferry Hill Plantation.

My Thoughts – One of the hidden gems while motorcycle touring the canal (it happens to be air conditioned) 🙂 . The plantation house is manned my volunteer docents who provide an oral rendition of the history of the home and grounds.

Map

View of the back of the home

Restored Grand Room

View of Sheperdstown, WV

Lock 38: C & O Canal Motorcycle Ride

Posted: June 13, 2014 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle Rides
Tags: C&O Canal, Harley, Harley Davidson, Maryland, MD, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Ride, motorcyle tour, VA, virgina, West Virginia, WV

C&O Canal Lock 38

Location – Lock 38

Mile Marker – 72.7 and 72.8

Historical Comments – Near two Civil War Battle Fields Harpers Ferry and Shepherdstown, WV. Also nearby is the former headquarters for the National Park Service’s C&O Canal division, Ferry Hill, which is now a restored plantation museum.

Ride to Site – Lock 38 has two separate areas both assessable from Canal Road. Canal road is a paved but not well marked byway, pay attention to traffic.

Amenities – the lock areas have restrooms but nothing else. Shepherdstown is nearby with full amenities.

Road Conditions (from main road) – paved

Railway Situation – underpass, very spectacular when a train is passing overhead

Parking Lot Conditions – Paved

Main Attraction – The remains of the lock and the nearby Ferry Hill Plantation.

My Thoughts – A major trail head for folks hiking and bicycling on the Canal Trail but not a lot to see here for the motorcyclist EXCEPT for railroad overpass. The overpass has to be about 50 yards about the roadway and canal. When a trail is crossing the view is spectacular.

Map:

Lock 38

: Milepost 72.7

: Trailhead at milepost 72.8

: Tow Path

: The railroad overpass

: You are here

: Facilities at milepost 72.8

: Parking lot at mile post 72.7

: Lock 38

: Lock 38

: Canal Road

: Canal Road

Whites Ferry: C & O Canal Motorcycle Ride

Posted: June 7, 2014 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Rides
Tags: C&O Canal, Harley, Maryland, MD, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Ride, national park, VA, Virginia, White’s Ferry

Whites Ferry C&O Canal Stop

Location – Whites Ferry

Mile Marker – 35.5

Historical Comments –This stop on the canal is named for the actual ferry with which it shares the location. The ferry predates the canal by more than half a century and is still in operation today as the only ferry on the Potomac River. You can read more about the Whites Ferry ferry here.

Ride to Site – Riding to Whites Ferry requires you ride through farm land. Be on the lookout for slow moving farm equipment. Pay attention as well for deer and other wildlife crossing the road. There are multiple speed cameras in and around the nearby town of Poolsville.

Amenities – The ferry operates a small grocery/deli during the summer months, the area has picnic tables, boat ramp, restrooms.

Road Conditions (from main road) – All paved and in decent condition

Railway Situation – None

Parking Lot Conditions – Hard packed gravel, use a kickstand puck.

Main Attraction – Whites Ferry, $3 for motorcycles to cross the river.

My Thoughts – The canal site itself is interesting. After crossing the river you can, at the traffic light, turn left and head into Leesburg or turn right and head back towards Point of Rocks, MD (another stop on the canal tour).

Map

: On the road to the Whites Ferry C&O Canal Stop

: What is left of the canal at Whites Ferry

: My bike at Whites Ferry C&O Canal stop

Brunswick Vistors Center: C & O Canal Motorcycle Ride

Posted: December 5, 2013 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle Rides
Tags: C&O Canal, Café Racer, Harley, Harley Davidson, MD, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Ride, national park, national park service, Sportbike

A few weeks ago, just before the temperature dropped (and pretty much stayed) into the 30s (F), I was able to get a late afternoon ride to the Bunswick stop on the C&O. For background on what I am doing with the C&O please look at this post.

Location – Brunswick Visitors Center 40 West Potomac Street, Brunswick, MD 21716

Mile Marker – 55

Historical Comments –This is all about the history of the C&O Canal.

The visitor center, which is shared with the Brunswick Railroad Museum, has several static displays regarding the canal (in classic National Park Service style), its development and its relation to the town of Brunswick.

Ride to Site – The Visitors Center is located in downtown Brunswick. There is no actual “stop” on the canal.

Amenities – All normal urban amenities are present.

Road Conditions (from main road) – Normal two lane roads.

Railway Situation – If you attempt to ride to the path (not really accessible via your bike) the rail line is on the surface.

Parking Lot Conditions – Typical parking for a small town.

Main Attraction –

My Thoughts – Nice little museum. Brunswick, MD would make a nice little day trip from Washington DC or the surrounding area. Nice country roads will get you into town from any direction.

Map

: View of the Brunswick rail yard

Catoctin Aqueduct – C&O Canal Motorcycle Ride

Posted: November 12, 2013 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle Rides
Tags: Brunswick, C&O, C&O Canal, C&O Canal Trust, Canal, catoctin aqueduct, Maryland, MD, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Ride, national park, national park service, point of rock

Earlier this year I stopped at the Catoctin Aqueduct. For background on what I am doing with the C&O please look at this post.

Location – Catoctin Aqueduct

Mile Marker – 51

Historical Comments –One of eleven stone aqueducts (allowing the canal to pass over Catoctin Creek) it was recently rebuilt. From 1978, when it was destroyed in a flood, until October 2011 the span across the creek was via a steel footbridge.

You can stay overnight in the Lock house, see here for detail.

Ride to Site – This stop on the C&O is between Point of Rock and Brunswick, MD. You will use State Route 464 and turn onto Lander rode to get to the canal. When approaching the turn off of 464 from the east pay close attention, the sign gives you the appearance that you take the next left. It is actually the second left!

Amenities – parking, lodging

Road Conditions (from main road) – Paved to parking area

Railway Situation – Ground level

Parking Lot Conditions – Large, loose gravel and, use a kickstand puck.

Main Attraction – Aqueduct is about a mile from the parking area. Lock house number 28

My Thoughts – This is a good area to see a lock house and how the canal flowed along the river. The restored aqueduct is a bit of a hike if you are wearing riding gear.

Map –

: From the east… it is the second left.

: Lock #28

: Lock House

Point of Rocks – C&O Canal Motorcycle Ride

Posted: November 4, 2013 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle Rides
Tags: B&O railroad, C&O, C&O Canal, C&O Canal Trust, Canal, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, Maryland, MD, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Ride, national park, national park service, National Register of Historic Places, point of rocks, Potomac River, US Route 15, Virginia

C&O Canal Point of Rock MD

Location – Point of Rocks

Mile Marker – 48

Historical Comments – Point of Rocks is one of the sites where the B&O Railroad and the C&O Canal fought over the right away as the pass between the river and the cliffs were very narrow. They eventually reached a compromise that also saw a wall erected between the rail line and the canal towpaths so that the mules pulling the barges would not be frightened.

During the Civil War, the town, canal and railroad made tempting targets for the confederates operating in Virginia. The rail station, still in use, was built in 1876. Find out more about this stop at the C&O Canal Trust website.

Ride to Site – This stop on the canal is located just off of and even under US Route 15. The trains at this location run often so be alert for the oncoming locomotives.

Amenities – picnic tables, boat ramp, restrooms, parking. Nearby gas and food.

Road Conditions (from main road) – Paved but with pot holes.

Railway Situation – Ground level

Parking Lot Conditions – Paved.

Main Attraction – Boat ramp, Route 15 bridge for pictures, rail station for pictures, Lock House 28 is available for lodging on the canal but you would have to park the motorcycles about a mile away.

My Thoughts – Great site for pictures and a nice stop when riding in the area.

Map –

: Rail Crossing at Point of Rocks

: Point of Rock parking lot

Nolands Ferry – C&O Canal Motorcyle Ride

Posted: October 26, 2013 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle Rides
Tags: C&O, C&O Canal, Canal, Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, George Washington, Martha Washington, Maryland, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Ride, national park, national park service, National Register of Historic Places, Potomac River, Valley Forge

C&O Canal: Nolands Ferry

My most recent stop on the C&O Canal is Nolands Ferry. For background on what I am doing with the C&O please look at this post.

Location – Nolands Ferry

Mile Marker – 44.6

Historical Comments -The reported location Martha Washington crossed the Potomac River on the way to visit George Washington at Valley Forge.

Nolands Ferry is also a Paleo-Indian period archeological site listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More information on the archeological site can be found here.

Ride to Site – Getting to Nolands Ferry requires you ride through abundant farm land. Be on the lookout for slow moving farm equipment. Pay attention as well for deer and other wildlife crossing the road.

Amenities – picnic tables, boat ramp, restrooms

Road Conditions (from main road) – First half paved, second half hard packed gravel/cinder

Railway Situation – Underpass

Parking Lot Conditions – Hard packed gravel and cinder, use a kickstand puck.

Main Attraction – Boat ramp

My Thoughts –This site is primarily a boat access point for the Potomac River and a rest stop for those using the C&O trail. It is interesting in that the road to the amenities passes through what, I think, is the remains of the canal and lock.

Map

The area around Nolands Ferry

: River Dead Ahead!

: Parked where the water once flowed in the canal

: Railroad overpass

: Should I pick up a passenger?

Riding the C&O Canal on a Motorcycle

Posted: October 26, 2013 in C&O Canal, Motorcycle Rides
Tags: C&O, C&O Canal, Canal, Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, Motorcycle, Motorcycle Ride, national park, national park service, NPS

Since the C&O Canal is nearby and there does not appear to be any motorcycle ride discussions or comments about the sites I decide to do just that, discuss the C&O Canal from a rider’s point of view.

You will have to bear with me on this as I am not going to hit all the sites immediately but as I get around to them. I might have them all by the end of the year, next year! 😉

I have already stopped at a couple and I will go back and redo them with the intent of what a rider should expect when going to each site.

Some things you should know about the canal as a whole:

At many of the stops is at least one railroad track to cross to reach the canal site. The railroad is one reason the C&O Canal became obsolete.
The C&O Canal is a National Park. I am going to get a lot of the information from their website and resources. The park website will display alerts when there are issues with one or some of the park sites.
You cannot get to all the canal sites unless you hike or ride a bike. Vehicle traffic is limited to only some parts of the park and is mainly acts as trailheads or boat ramps.
Conditions at the sites that allow vehicles will vary extremely due to weather conditions.
I am sure there will be more but that is all I have for now!

The layout I intend to use to describe each site is as follows:

Location – Which stop on the canal path
Mile Marker – as stated by the National Parks Service
Historical Comments: What was this site about?
Ride to Site – What the ride is like in the immediate area of the stop.
Amenities – Restroom, picnic area, etc.
Road Conditions (from main road) – What to expect when you turn off the main highway
Railway Situation – ground level, overpass, underpass
Parking Lot Condition – paved, gravel, etc
Main Attraction –
My Thoughts –
Map – just a clip of the area around the stop
Pictures – my photos of the site.