Sunday, February 21, 2010
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
.25 miles, .5 miles round trip south from Lock 10
12-18" of snow on the towpath; it was too slippery to walk!
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
About 1.5 miles
Great Falls Tavern, Lock 20, to Lock 18 and on the boardwalk to the Great Falls Overlook
Temperature 44-degrees and sunny
Lockhouse at Lock 10
The heavy snows had prevented a return to the canal for some weeks so we decided to walk in an area close to Washington, DC, hoping that the path would be worn and the slightly warmer temperatures had melted the ice and snow. That was not the case. We had not counted on the depth of the snow, and the shade that kept the sun from speeding up the melting process.
There was at least a foot of snow on the towpath, walking south from Lock 10 at about mile 9 on the towpath. We walked 1/4 to 1/2 mile, past lock 9 and nearly to Lock 8 when one of us slipped for the umpteenth time and we made a mutual decision to turn around. It was miserable. The person who traveled across the path on skis was far smarter than we; the Uggs were not good substitutes and walking was treacherous.
Sadly, we couldn't even get a view of the river from this location, but the old locks are always interesting to see and we saw some mallards who were oblivious to the snow and cold. We decided to go to Carderock Recreation Area so we could at least see the river.
At Carderock, the snow was just as deep, but those before us had forged a path to a spot where we could see the river; today it was a beautiful blue green color and flowing fast. We saw a pileated woodpecker, a junco and plenty of crows. There was little we could do there, as it was hard walking, so we headed for Great Falls Park where we knew the towpath would be a little clearer.
Great Falls Tavern Visitors Center
The Tavern is always a welcoming sight at Great Falls Park. The snow was deep around it, but the paths were clear...
...and very muddy. We walked from the Tavern, past Locks 20, 19, and 18. This is part of the path I have walked many times before. Unlike the path at Lock 10, it was not packed with snow!
The view of the river was pretty and the snow on the ground made the Virginia shore across the river look much closer. We took the boardwalk out to the falls overlook. It is always beautiful and never the same. Many of the boulders in the river were still snow-topped.
The lichens on the rocks near the falls were pretty against the stark white of the snow. Ice still covered the surface of standing water and the white limbs of the sycamores stood out against the painted blue sky.
While we accomplished but half a mile of new walking on the canal, about 2 miles in total, it was a great day to be outdoors. The warmth of the sun convinced us that spring will come. In the meantime we are thankful for days like this. I am anxious to continue my walks on the towpath, but only after the snow has melted.
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