A new record for A. 12.31 Mi Bike B&A trail

We've done portions of this trail before, a few times as a family. But today is significant for two reasons 1) A., our 4 year old added over 2 miles to his personal distance record -- pedaling a total of 12.31 miles along side me -- Seriously, this kid is continually stepping things up around here!

The second significance here is that we did this trip without D, my partner in crime there to help out if anything went wrong... So it was just myself & the two kids (of course I brought a tube patch, bike tire pump & a large amount of food and water in-case anything went wrong, thank goodness it didn't). I was expecting at least one major malfunction, but the kids DID GREAT!!! We had a totally smooth ride with no major stops... one potty break.  

We did a "there and back" stretch of the trail, beginning at the starting point (Bouton Rd.) and using McBride as our 6 mile (ish) turnaround point. Oh, we saw chickens pecking the trail shoulder along the way... and a deer -- a special treat along our journey!

Bike Western Maryland Rail Trail - 13 miles (PQ)

Saturday brought us to NW Maryland, where we completed two quests. The first was a 13 mile bike down the Western Maryland Rail Trail. We were excited to complete this quest after our recent purchase of new bicycles! We were in a little bit of a time crunch so we (well... actually my hubby on this one) pulled both kids in the Schwinn trailer (Typically we would allow A., our 4 year old to bike the trail as on his own). 

The trail is located in Western MD, along the West Virginia border. We love that area of the state, its got some very gentle rolling hills, and pretty views from many of the state parks there. The actual trail is 22 miles. And this is one that we would like to bike farther on, although with our limited time left at this duty station not sure we'll make it back up to that area. We biked a section of the trail, from big pool to little pool and back. The trail itself is similar to the B&A trail by us, however a little less traveled, less road crossings, and more historical value. The similarity lies in the fact that was a flat easy family ride.  The actual park quest required us to ride to various checkpoint kiosks, where we used the information at each kiosk to answer a series of 8 questions -- most of which were based on the history of the trail, and on early transportation in Western Maryland. 

The kids had a good ride, they were a little squirmy by the end. We witnessed the usual array of wildlife -- deer, rabbits, birds, squirrels. We even saw a few orioles along the way! The highlights of the trip for the entire family of course were the views of little pool, a beautiful historical pond, that was once used as a tow-way for the C&O Canal. and taking time to walk through the Park Head level graveyard -- a graveyard from the 1800's, the most recent being from 1838. Hiding camoflauged behind one of these very old tombstones we found a large moth -- we have been trying to identify it, but unable to so far. Pets are permitted here but our buddy C. had to stay behind for this ride, this plus the hike (a total of 15 miles) would have been a little much for him in 1 day... Maybe we will look into getting him his own doggy bike trailer! PQ passport stamp below!

I've posted the original quest instructions below for our future reference!

Introduction To Quest

Come explore the evolution of travel through rugged Western Maryland. In the 1700’s, explores navigated the mighty Potomac river to new lands on the “frontier” of America. In the 1800’s, the C&O canal was used for travel and commerce along the river. In the 1900’s, powerful locomotives of the Western Maryland Railway carried freight and passengers from Baltimore to the Appalachian Mountains. Today, on I-68 vehicles shuttle back and forth across the state at speeds of 65 miles per hour and the former railway bed is a flat, paved ADA accessible recreational trail. Come experience four centuries of travel along the Western Maryland Rail Trail.

Quest Information

To begin your quest, pick up your packet at Captain's Wort's Trading Post at Fort Frederick State Park or download it here. The packet prints on 8.5 x 14 paper. The quest begins at the Big Pool Station parking lot of the Western Maryland Rail Trail located off I-70 at exit 12. At Captain's Wort's Trading Post, you can stock-up on drinks, snacks and biking gear. You may begin your Quest as early as 10 a.m. The trading post is located adjacent to the historic fort. After receiving you Park Quest booklet, proceed approximately one mile by vehicle to the Big Pool Station parking lot for the Western Maryland Rail Trail. Unload and bike west to Little Pool, located at rail trail mile marker 6. Informational kiosks will provide clues to answering the questions in your booklet. After resting at the scenic mile-long Little Pool, turn around and ride east to the Big Pool Station parking lot. The entire trip is about 13 miles in length.

When you have completed your Quest, return your answered booklet to Captain Wort's Trading Post to receive your stamp. This year, all participants who complete a Western Maryland Rail Trail Park Quest will receive 10 percent off all ice cream purchases at the trading post!

If you like a challenge, you may want to complete the Bonus Quest. This Quest continues on from Little Pool to the town of Hancock between mile markers 9 & 11. The entire trip is about 20 miles in length. Bonus Quest participants will receive discounts at the newly opened Blue Goose bakery and creamery in Hancock. Enjoy a homemade country pie and other goodies the store before returning to the Big Pool Station parking lot.

Print your Western Maryland Rail Trail Quest Worksheet here.

If you would like to complete the Quest but do not own a bicycle you may rent one from the C&O bicycle shop in Hancock Maryland. For more information, visit their website at www.candobicycle.com.

Be sure to bring sunscreen, insect repellant, water and a camera or digital recorder to capture the fun memories of your day. When you are done with the Western Maryland Rail Trail park quest, you may wish to complete the historic Fort Frederick State Park Park Quest as well.

Park Information

Beginning approximately one-half mile west of historic Fort Frederick State Park in Big Pool, Maryland, the Western Maryland Rail Trail (WMRT) winds along the Potomac River through rolling farmland, woodlands, and rural towns to its terminus at the southern slope of Sideling Hill Ridge.

The WMRT follows a path rich in history. The Potomac River valley has been an important transportation corridor for hundreds of years. From Native Americans to the National Road to the C&O Canal, people have always traveled the path of the Potomac River. The Western Maryland Railway was no exception. In its heyday, the Western Maryland Railway was a lifeline to the tri-state area of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Through the construction of the WMRT on this abandoned railroad bed, numerous opportunities are now available to visit old ruins of days past. There are interpretive signs along the length of the trail at many of these locations.

The eastern terminus of the trail, known as Big Pool Station, is located ½ mile west of historic Fort Frederick State Park in Washington County, Maryland. Many visitors begin their WMRT excursions here although some prefer to start at the western terminus located in Pearre, Maryland, near Sideling Hill Wildlife Management Area. The WMRT parallels the C&O Canal for its entire length.

Common activities that people enjoy on the trail include hiking, biking, jogging and inline skating. The easy grade and paved surface make this path ideal for families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities (the trail is very wheelchair friendly) to enjoy a trek outside. The trail is suited to anyone seeking a pleasant, leisurely outdoor experience. Biking and walking are the most popular uses of the WMRT. Pets are permitted on the trail.

Past family Hikes... and Bikes...

I am starting this blog a year too late... We began hiking & biking as a family last year when our son was just 3 (almost 4), and our daughter was 1 year old. We covered a lot of ground that summer even with a pre-schooler and a toddler! Our daughter, M. was obviously too young to get any real hiking done, so my husband and I took turns (ok... it was mostly him) carrying her in our REI child back-pack.

Our son, A. however, hiked each trail with us in full length! We were amazed at some of the hikes he managed right along with us -- his longest last summer being a section of the Appalachian trail to Annapolis Rock & Pine Knob, reaching a total elevation of 1,791 feet (610ft) gain. Not bad for a 4 year old! Photos of our route (left) as well as a few from the trail, and at our goal point, Annapolis Rock on the Appalachian trail (below).

Other routes included:

Great Falls National Park, a 3.37 mile hike on River Trail, Matildaville, and Patowmack canal trails. We found this park to be pretty populated. The Riverwalk trail was moderately rocky, but offered spectacular views of the river and the falls. This trail leads you down to the river bank allowing for another beautiful photo opportunity. The Matildaville and Patowmack Canal trails were a reasonable walk on wooded trails back to the parking area. Both of these trails had less of a view, and more of a historical nature to enjoy. Photos from this hike below:

Gunpowder Falls, a 3.81 mile hike on Jerusalem Trail, Little Powder Falls Trail, and Jericho Trail. An easy-moderate hike with a lot of history to it! We had the opportunity to see black-smiths at work, the old grist-mill (built in 1772), hike along the Gunpowder river, and a walk/hike to the covered bridge.

Catoctin Mountain park -- Cunningham Falls, an 4.76 mile hike on Hogs head overlook trail and back down the mountain on the Park central road... We ran out of daylight on this one! The hike up on hogs head overlook was moderately steep and slightly rocky, quite a climb (especially for A.) but the reward at the top (the view from hogs head overlook) is well worth it! We ran out of day-light on this one and ended up cutting down and hiking back to the parking via the park central road to save some time on the way down. Cunningham falls was amazingly beautiful, you have the option to hike here (which is what we did) or to drive up & park. We were a little discouraged to see so many hikers ignoring the signs for hikers/families to stay on the path behind the protective fence to prevent destruction of the fall base & river!

Greenbriar state park, a 1.6 mile hike on Camp Loop and Big Red trails. Two fairly easy trails that meet at the lake banks. We did this one early in the morning after a previous day of hiking Cunningham and camping out!

There were a few more trips from last summer that we didn't document, unfortunately -- one included a wooded hike at Patapsco.... Perhaps we'll opt for a documented re-do this summer!

Along with the hiking, D. and I did a little biking... at that age, we felt A. was a little too young to ride on his own, and with the help of Craigslist, we purchased a used Schwinn double bike trailer for $50 -- what a deal! Soon enough we were on our first "family" bike trip, 10.48 miles down the Cross island trail! What beautiful views, the best of both worlds, forested trail as well as water views. We saw snakes, rabbits, butterflies along the way. At our end point, the bridge to Kent Narrows we enjoyed a picnic lunch near the water before heading back to start.

Earlier this year in April, my sister and I re-did this trail sans-hubby. A., now 4.5 years old was finally deemed old enough to pedal this trail on his own. Other than the constant reminders to stay to the right, he did great! He pedaled a whopping 9.36 miles, and ofcourse our little M. (now 2.5) rode in the trailer. Once again on this bike trail we were lucky enough to see a quite a bit of wildlife, including waterfowl and deer.