K9 Trailblazers Dog Hiking Club 
Saturday, March 9, 2002 Hike Information 
C & O Canal Pennyfield Lock, MD

Where:
When:
Participation Limit:
Hike Description:
(map)
What to Bring:
Rules:
Cancellation Policy:
Directions:
Contacts:

Where: 

Our first C & O hike will be at Pennyfield Lock, off River Road close to the Beltway near Potomac, MD. Directions are listed below. Plan to meet at the far end of the parking lot near the fence and PortaPotty.

When:

For the exact time to meet at the trailhead, contact one of the hike organizers.

Participation Limit:

This hike will be limited to 12 people plus dogs.

The Hike:

We’ll hike at a moderate pace for about 8 miles, along the scenic and historic C & O Canal, and in the woods over hilly and sometimes rocky terrain as we pass horse farms and climb up to the cliffs to eat lunch while enjoying fantastic views of the Potomac. The area we are hiking is full of wildlife and urban artifacts! Expect to see buzzards circling the cliffs and Great Blue Herons fishing in the canal. We’ll probably see ducks and other birds along the canal, and maybe we’ll see deer and wild turkeys in the forest, too. We’ll also pass some historic places and visit some cultural artifacts. This hike is rated "D." For more information on the rating system,  click here.

 Trail Map

What to Bring:

As usual, come prepared for the hike. This means appropriate footwear, a hat, and sufficient water for you and your dog (at least a quart for each of you). The weather may be either warm or cold this time of year, and mist or rain is also a possibility so be prepared for potential inclement weather. If you dress in layers, you will find it easier to adapt to changing conditions as you heat up while hiking and chill down when stopping for lunch or where the wind is blowing. The trails are rocky and steep in spots, and likely to be muddy, so good hiking shoes are a must. Bring snacks for you and your dog, and if you want to eat lunch at the cliffs, bring lunch. 

Rules:

Basically the main rules we have are that dogs need to stay on leash and under control, and that you scoop your poop. Please bring a 6-8' standard leash for your dog. With a large group, flexible leads can allow people and dogs to trip or tangle, resulting in rope burns or injuries.

Cancellation Policy:

We'll be hiking rain, snow or sunshine unless there is severe or dangerous weather. If the weather is too hot, too cold or too wet for you on the day of the hike, don't be afraid to sit this one out. We want you to have fun! We have planned other hikes, so if you don't think you'll enjoy yourself this time, just wait for the next hike.

Directions:

From the DC Beltway:

To reach this point from the Beltway (1-495) take Exit 39, River Road (MD Rt. 190). Proceed West on River Road for 8.5 miles, through the village of Potomac, Md, and go left on Pennyfield Lock Road. Note: This road only comes in from the left, so check your mileage and be looking for it. Follow Pennyfield Lock Road all the way to the end, passing the boat ramp, where it makes a sharp turn to the left, and going all the way to the PortaPotty and wooden fence. Allow extra time for traveling those 8.5 miles at 30 mph!

From Columbia and Points North:

Take I-95 south to the DC Beltway and head west (outer loop - toward Silver Spring). From there, follow the directions listed above.

Contacts

To register for the hike and to get the details on meeting location and time, or for anything else about this hike or the hiking club in general, please contact Pat Fuhrer or Jeff Bolognese