Photo: Ken Oettle Hiking and Biking Through History; Maryland and West Virginia Highlights:
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Trip Number: 09053A Price: $1225 Deposit: $200 Capacity: 12 Leader:
The Trip Unfortunately, this trip has been cancelled. If you have questions, please contact us. Photo: Ken Oettle This trip can be described as a combination of history and scenery. For history we have the town of Harpers Ferry which played an important part in the Civil War, the nearby Antietam Battlefield, and the C & O Canal, one of the nation's first efforts to develop a transportation system beyond the eastern coastal cities. While exploring this history, either by bicycle or on foot, we will experience the unspoiled nature of the C&O Canal Towpath and the rural Maryland countryside, wander through the quaint architecture of Harpers Ferry, and enjoy fantastic views of the town nestled at the confluence of the two great rivers that meet at Harpers Ferry, the Potomac and the Shenandoah. Expect to see a variety of water birds along the Towpath and the spring wildflowers that the mid-Atlantic is famous for. At the beginning of the Civil War Harpers Ferry was an important railroad center located uncomfortably near the nation's capital. Considered a strategic location by both the Union and the Confederacy, it was constantly either occupied or under siege. We'll hike to the same heights from which generals viewed troop movements (now beautiful woods and valleys), explore the scene of John Brown's raid which some say started the Civil War, and learn about the battle of Antietam by following the trails and foot paths of both armies. Each hike will be preceded by a short lecture from a local expert who will help bring history to life for novice and expert alike. We'll explore the C&O Canal in sections by bicycle. On two separate trips we will visit each Canal terminus, one in Cumberland , Maryland and the other in Washington, D.C. at the former port of Georgetown. In Cumberland we will spend time at the Canal Museum and view exhibits that explain the difficulties in constructing and operating the 184 mile waterway. Canal history begins with George Washington who identified the need for a transportation system if the nation was to expand. Somehow goods had to be transported to the interior of the country if settlement was to be successful. After several failures, the Canal was finally built and it operated until the early 20th century. In Georgetown we will see “Mile Zero”, the end of the long journey from Cumberland to the Potomac River and beyond. Along the way we will stop to view the Great Falls of the Potomac, the last major rapid on the Potomac River before Georgetown. At the end of each day we will return to our lodging at the Shepherd's Springs Conference Center, where we'll enjoy a 220 acre wooded site located adjacent to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park and the Potomac River. We'll also welcome exceptional food service (including vegetarian options) provided by the Conference Center dining facility.
Day 1: We'll meet in the late afternoon to get to know each other. After dinner we'll preview our upcoming trip.  Photo: Ken Oettle Day 2: We'll start our week with a hike in historic Harpers Ferry. After a short overview about the history of the area, we'll climb to a ridge called “Maryland Heights” to the remains of a fortification called the Stone Fort. The Heights were the observation post from which soldiers could see troop movements in the valley below. As we climb we will see the remains of ammunition pits, breastworks, powder magazines and gun emplacements. This is a steep hike that makes one appreciate the difficulty of transporting heavy canons up to the fortifications. Once at the top we will have marvelous views of the valley and surrounding countryside. On the way back to Harpers Ferry we will take a side trail to an overlook of the town and the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers. Supposedly Thomas Jefferson said this view was worth the journey across the ocean. Once in town we will have time to view an excellent film about John Brown's raid, see the ammunition depot where the raid took place, visit the museum and book store, and explore this quaint town that maintains its 19th century character. After dinner this evening we'll have a guest speaker talk to us about the history and significance of the C&O canal. Day 3: On this day we will bike the scenic C&O Canal from Cumberland to Old Town. We'll start in Cumberland and bike 12 miles to Spring Gap where we'll enjoy a catered picnic lunch. After lunch we'll continue biking another 6 miles from Spring Gap to Old Town . Highlights on this day include a visit to the Paw Paw Tunnel which is arguably the single most impressive engineering feature on the C&O canal. Located between mile 155 and 156, the 3100 foot long tunnel was constructed between 1836 and 1850 and was the final link joining Cumberland to the Chesapeake Bay. Van transportation will be provided to and from the bike start/end locations. The continuation of the bike trip after lunch is optional. Participants can opt to ride in the van to Old Town. Day 4: Today we will visit the Antietam Battlefield, where, in a day long battle on September 17, 1862, 23,582 Americans became casualties. This day will feature two battlefield hikes. First, we'll visit the national park visitor center, and then hike the Union Advance Trail (4.1 miles). After lunch we'll hike the Snavely Ford Trail (A.K.A. Final Attack Trail) which follows along Antietam Creek on the Confederate side of the creek and ends at Snavely's Ford, site of where the Union army crossed the creek. Hikes will be preceded by a discussion of the battle by a Civil War historian. After dinner this evening we'll have a guest speaker talk to us about preservation of outdoor lands (including historic battlefields). Day 5: On this our second ride, we will bike along the C&O Canal from Swains Lock all the way in to Georgetown. First we'll have an easy two mile ride from Swains Lock to Great Falls . Then, after another catered picnic lunch, we will bike from Great Falls to Georgetown (14 miles). Highlights of the day include the Great Falls of the Potomac, a visit to the museum at Great Falls and a boat ride along the Canal. The boat we will travel in is a replica of the canal barges used when the Canal was in operation. Guides in period dress explain the workings of the Canal and sometimes (if we are lucky) play music of the period on a guitar during the ride. The boat is pulled by mules that walk along the Towpath beside the boat. While we are on the boat we will pass through a manually operated lock, an unusual experience in the 21st century. We will end our ride at Mile Zero, the final terminus of the Canal in Georgetown. Van transportation will be provided to and from the bike start/end locations. The continuation of the bike trip after lunch is optional. Participants can opt to ride in the van to Georgetown. Our day will end with dinner at a restaurant in Shepherdstown, a lovely rural college town near Shepherd's Springs. The cost of the dinner is not included in the trip price. Day 6: Final day. Have breakfast and say goodbye. Optional morning hike at Shepherd's Springs . Getting There: There is no public transportation to Shepherd's Springs. It is approximately 1.5 hours driving time west of Washington, D.C. For those arriving by air, I will help coordinate carpooling in rental cars. If you are driving, please tell me if you can take additional passengers en route. There is also shuttle service from each of Washington 's 3 airports: Dulles, Reagan National and BWI. The one-way ride is 90 minutes and costs (at this time) $70. More information and directions will be sent to trip participants at a later time.
Shepherd's Springs Conference Center is located on 220 acres of rolling wooded land adjoining the Chesapeake and Ohio canal tow path and the Potomac River, just 1 1/2 hours west of Washington, D.C. The center is surrounded by Civil War sites, including Antietam National Battlefield. Participants will be staying in hotel-style, double rooms equipped with a full bath. Participants will eat breakfast and dinner in an on-site dining room which serves healthy food, including options for vegetarians. The center also has two volleyball courts and hiking trails that lead to the C&O canal tow path. No alcohol is permitted on the Shepherd's Springs campus. If there is interest in the group, we will avail ourselves of the many opportunities to visit the quaint restaurants and pubs in nearby Shepherdstown and Sharpsburg either on the way back to the retreat center or after dinner.
All hikes except Harpers Ferry are rated easy to moderate. The hike at Harpers Ferry is rated moderate to strenuous with some hilly areas. Alternative hikes and activities will be available on this day. The weather in May averages highs in the upper 70's and lows in the mid 50's.
No special equipment is required for this trip. Participants should have good hiking shoes or boots and clothes appropriate for the temperatures and the activity (e.g. biking, hiking, etc.). A full equipment list will be sent to trip participants at a later time.
Books Sears, Stephen W. Landscape Turned Red; The Battle of Antietam: First Mariner Books, 1983. Elliott, P., 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Washington, DC . Menasha Ridge Press, 2002. Websites Antietam National Battlefield: http://www.nps.gov/anti Gettysburg National Battlefield: http://www.nps.gov/gett National Park Service American Battlefield Protection Program: http://www.cr.nps.gov/hps/abpp/index.htm Conservation: Topics we will discuss on this trip include the impact of suburban sprawl on the preservation of outdoor lands (including national parks) and outdoor recreation management.
See the How to Apply for an Outing section for more details on registering for this trip and details about our Reservation and Cancellation Policy. The payment of a deposit does not confirm you as a member on the trip. Participants must be approved by the trip leader. After signing up for this trip, you will be sent a confirmation packet containing approval materials (Participant Approval Questionnaire, Medical Form, Liability Release Form). Each applicant (including those on the waitlist) must fill out these forms and promptly mail them to the trip leader. The leader will review the approval materials and notify you of your acceptance in a timely manner.
General Notes About Sierra Club Trips
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Ken Oettle is an avid hiker and runner. An Air Force retiree, he has lived in several foreign countries and visited much of the U.S. Along the way, he has participated in numerous hikes and completed 4 marathons. He is certified in wilderness first aid (WFA) and has participated in many Sierra Club outings.