History & Nature in One

Today, my kids would normally be in school but it was a work day for teachers; therefore, some friends and I took our children and went to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia for a night and two days. I rented a Potomac Appalachian Trail Club cabin, only one of nine cabins are modern (electricity/plumbing) while the other 31 cabins are primitive (a roof over your head with a fireplace). Highacre is a beautiful old house, built in the late 1800's, that sits high on the cliff above downtown Harpers Ferry with an incredible view of the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers with the high ridges that surround the rivers. If it wasn't six degrees this morning, watching the sunrise from the front porch would have been breathtaking. Instead we witnessed it in warmth from the big dinning room windows.

  Whether you go to Harpers Ferry in the winter or summer, there are many activities to do providing different opportunities and experiences. The summer invites families to play in the rivers along the rivers' edges or drifting in the river's flow on an inner tube. The winter offers a family time to observe the icy caps on the rivers and hear the crackle of the ice and enjoy all the activities of Harpers Ferry with minimal visitors.

• Learn about Harpers Ferry in the 1800's, its abolitionist movement, and its place during the Civil War, in particular the John Brown raid, at the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park.
• Watch trains as you walk the bridge over the Potomac River.
• Hike the Appalachian Trail into Maryland to Weaverton Cliffs or into Virginia to Loudon Heights.
• Watch the sunset at Jefferson Rocks.
• Hike the Maryland Heights Trail to experience an amazing view of the river's confluence and Harpers Ferry.
• Bike or walk the C&O Canal path.

Even though it was a frigid day, the sun was shining with blue skies; we layered up, crossed the train bridge over the Potomac, walked the C&O Canal Path, to the trailhead of the Maryland Heights Trail and ascended the ridge. Even though, my little one couldn't make it to the amazing view at the top of the cliffs, the rest did. Walking back along the train bridge, we viewed the waving arms of my daughter and our friends on the cliffs. The hike and its spectacular views were the highlight of the staycation in Harpers Ferry. Harpers Ferry is definitely a historical and natural oasis in the Mid-Atlantic.

Trail Discovery for Kids

November Highlighted Hike


Blockhouse Trail

Blockhouse Point Conservation Park

14750 River Road, Darnestown, MD

Hike Information

 The Blockhouse Trail is a 3 mile out and back hike with moderate elevation gain after the stream and at the overlook.

 The trailhead is at the second parking lot on the left, driving northwest on River Road. The lot is adjacent to the road and only has room for a few cars.

 The trail is very well marked with sign posts at each intersection and blue blazes along the trail. Follow the Blockhouse Trail to the left of the horse fields until the bridge. Cross over the stream and continue up the hill until the T-intersection. Continue left on the Blockhouse Trail to the overlook. Retrace back.

 An extension to the Blockhouse Trail – at the T-intersection, follow the Calithea Trail for .1 miles and turn left onto the Paw Paw Trail to a second overlook. Retrace back.

 The trails are jogging stroller passable. The obstacles are few large rocks and gullies.

 Link to the trail map.

Age Appropriateness


 This hike is manageable for preschoolers who will switch between walking and riding but best for children 5 years and older.

What is fun for kids?

 Late fall and winter are the best times of year to take this hike because of the amazing 180 degree views of the Potomac River. Trees without leaves provide this beautiful view.

 The overlook at the end of Blockhouse Trail provides a high view of the scenery and a large and safe area for free play and a picnic.

 The overlook at the end of the Paw Paw Trail provides a lower view of the Potomac. This overlook has a small outcropping of rocks to sit, take a break, have a picnic lunch, and watch the great blue herons feast in the river. This overlook is steep with drop offs.

 At the overlooks, keep your eyes peeled for bald eagle sightings!

 Engage in some Civil War play – sticks are always a child’s weapon of choice. Blockhouse Point Conservation Park was home to a Civil War Encampment in 1862 by Union soldiers. Old encampment dugouts still exist in the park.

Caution

 Steep drop offs at the overlooks.

 No bathrooms.

 Trash free park – pack out your garbage.

Fall Family Hikes

The air is crisp, with an occasional scorcher to remind us of the hot summer, with beautiful blue skies and the leaves are changing into magnificent hues of gold and burgundy. Hiking Along hopes your family has been able to discover fall’s bounty for your senses thus far. If not, we hope you will consider joining Hiking Along with its partnering organizations on either of these two great fall hikes.

Saturday, October 23rd from 9:30 to 11:30 am, Hiking Along in partnership with a new organization, Conservation Montgomery, will lead a family hike on the Northwest Branch Trail (p.1) to learn about trees, their importance to people, animals, and the local watershed. Kids and parents will engage in hands-on activities along the trail, including a service project to collect native seeds for the Growing Native program. The hike is 1.5 miles out and back on a flat, wide trail that is jogging stroller friendly. The hike will begin at the Kemp Mill Rd. trailhead of the Northwest Branch Trail. A suggested $5 per person donation to Conservation Montgomery is greatly appreciated. To register for the hike, please send an e-mail with your family’s name, number of people, and contact e-mail to conservationmontgomery@live.com.

Saturday, October 30th from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, Hiking Along in partnership with Neighbors of Northwest Branch will lead a family hike on the Rachel Carson Greenway Trail, south of Burnt Mills (p. 3). The group will meet in the parking lot adjacent to the Trader Joe’s Plaza and will hike two miles out and back to the 495 overpass. On the return, children will have the opportunity to rock scramble. While on the hike, families will learn about the ecosystem of a deciduous forest in the Washington area. They will understand and follow a food web in the forest and what happens when a species is threatened or endangered. Children will learn about and provide solutions to the human impact on a forest food web. This hike is great for children 5+ years of age but all are welcome. The trail is not jogging stroller passable; however, a few backpacks can be provided for young children. Join the hike, see the forest colors, and learn about its animals!

If your family or group can’t make one of these great hikes, then e-mail Jennifer to schedule any one of the nine hikes in the DC area. In addition, check out Hiking Along’s blog to read “Trail Discovery for Kids” – a review of some of the best hiking trails for kids and families in the DC area. Some highlighted trails are Tom’s Trail in Wheaton Park, a short, easy and adventurous hike for preschoolers or to view the fall colors in Shenandoah National Park, hike with your family on the White Oak Canyon/Cedar Run 2 mile circuit. For more up-to-the-minute trail and nature resources, “like” Hiking Along on Facebook.
Happy Fall Adventures to you and your family!