Photo by Photo illustration by Dan Neuland Naturalist Charles Sullivan leads a 25-mile bike tour on the Western Maryland Rail Trail recently. Regional flora and fauna, railroad history and interesting geological features made for an educational and enjoyable outing.

The high temperature that day was going into the 90s and we were a bit concerned about biking in the heat. Fortunately, we discovered how enjoyable a bike ride on the WMRT could be even on a hot summer day. The western portion of the trail is well-shaded and proved to be a pleasant retreat from the oppressive heat that has plagued our area since the middle of June.

The WMRT is the area's latest rail-to-trail project, with 23 miles of paved, flat surface on the former Western Maryland Railway line. Common activities that people enjoy on the trail include hiking, biking, jogging and in-line 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. In addition, pets are permitted on the trail.

The trailhead of the first 10-mile section begins at Big Pool Station and opened in March 1998. This section extends west to Hancock and winds through rolling farmland. It is sandwiched between I-70 to the north and the C&O Canal towpath/Potomac River to the south and is mostly open with little shade, and the noise from the adjacent interstate is noticeable.

In June 2002, an additional 10-miles were added to the trail west of Hancock. This section of the WMRT is considered by many the most scenic stretch of the trail as this remote section passes through mountainous terrain and overlooks the scenic Potomac River. The majority of this section is wooded and the trees provide plenty of shade and no interstate noise. A third 2.5-mile section was added in 2004, extending the trail to Pearre Station at the southern slope of Sideling Hill Ridge.

Wild flowers,berries and life

We arrived in Hancock by 9 a.m., unloaded the bikes in the parking area near the corner of Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue and met the tour group outside of the C&O Bicycle shop on South Pennsylvania Avenue. A total of 18 bikers participated in the tour that traveled 12.5 miles from Hancock to Pearre Station (pronounced pair-ree) and back again to Hancock for a total of 25 miles.

Naturalist, Charles Sullivan, a park service employee from Fort Frederick State Park, led the tour. Sullivan is also a nature photographer and an environmental educator who was born and raised in Hagerstown and now resides just across the Potomac River in West Virginia.

Sullivan tools around on the WMRT riding his "trike," a tricycle designed for adults. Sullivan has logged over 1,000 miles peddling his trike on the WMRT.

We had not traveled more than a mile when we spotted a newborn fawn standing within 20 feet of the trail. My son was the first to see the young deer and I got a quick glimpse as we rode by. I am sure the mother deer was nearby and we did not want to stop and alarm the fawn.

Along the trail, Sullivan would stop at selected locations to point out historical landmarks and geological features of the landscape. There are interpretive signs along the length of the trail at many of these locations. The foundation remains and kilns of the Round Top Cement Mill are visible from the WMRT. The cement plant was in operation from 1837 until the early 1900s and was a vital part of the canal construction.

An interesting geological feature near the cement mill is the Devil's Eyebrow anticline. This up-thrusting and folding of ancient rock strata is symmetrical and plunges north. Calcium-rich limestone within the anticlinal folds were mined and used in the Canal construction. The mine openings were gated during the construction of the WMRT to protect the bat colonies within.

There are many varieties of wildflowers in bloom along the trail. Sullivan identified many of the plants that we encountered. Tall bellflowers, wild sunflowers, oxeye daisies, trumpet vines, wild morning glories, teasel, mullein and many others were all discovered along the way. I photographed many of the flowers and was lucky enough to capture photos of a spicebush swallowtail and a pearl crescent butterfly.

Sullivan also discussed a few of the invasive plant species like Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) and tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima), both found along the WMRT. Invasive plants are species of plants that spread out of control and compete with native plants for space. The tendency of invasive plants to spread so much may be due in part to the fact that the insects and diseases that plague them in their native lands are often absent in their new habitats.

To our delight, we discovered red raspberry bushes along the trail. On the return trip back to Hancock, we took the time to pick and eat the delicious berries that were plentiful. As I picked the berries, I was careful to avoid the poison ivy plants that also thrive along the trail.

At a relaxing pace, the tour lasted three to four hours.

At present, the WMRT ends at Pearre Station; however, plans are in place to extend the trail an additional 14 miles. An effort to raise funds for this project is under way. This section is a complex and expensive route as the railroad crosses the Potomac River on six different high trestle bridges and through three separate tunnels.

When completed, these 14 miles are sure to make the WMRT one of the most outstanding rail trails in the country.

For information about the future plans for the WMRT, visit www.westernmarylandrailtrailsupporters.org.

Contact Dan Neuland at steeliedan@xecu.net.