The hidden delights of the
Patapsco State Park in Catonsville.
Many people that know me are aware of the speed that I usually travel
through life. In my past I regretfully admit that I experienced Niagara
Falls for all of 6 minutes and the Grand Canyon for a whopping 15. I am
embarrassed to say how fast I have sped through some of the worlds most
coveted museums and national treasures! Thankfully the past 5 years a
certain young man has slowed my pace down somewhat, but still I am
quite an impatient person by nature. In the Metropolitan Baltimore area,
heavy traffic is very common. Nothing I dislike more than being parked
on I95- Usually I jump off and head through the back roads.
Between Columbia/Ellicott
City and Catonsville is the Patapsco Valley State Park - One
of Maryland's oldest State Parks that is over 16,000 sq acres.
View Larger Map
Zoom out a little bit on this handy dandy Google earth thingy and you
can see huge masses of green in a relatively built up area. Major
highways flank the sides and residential areas surround it. However
there are narrow, less traveled windy roads that cut through the
Patapsco Valley State Park- It's not uncommon to follow large groups of
cyclists. For many years I have taken these slower, yet more direct
roads to get into Catonsville. There is usually less traffic and I can
keep moving. I am very sad to say that not once did I ever stop to see
why there were so many cars parked along the road.
On the Howard County
and Baltimore County
line on Ilchester Road there is an abandoned mill next to the train tracks of the original B&O
Railway where the road weaves down to sea level before
climbing back up. Usually I lose cell phone service at such a low
point. Just south of the mill is a narrow bridge- I imagined a muddy
path at the other side that would need heavy duty hiking books to
conquer. Boy was I wrong!
In the fall of 2003,
a
new multi-use section of the trail opened near Ellicott City to
enhance ADA- (Americans with Disabilities Act) accessible recreational
opportunities. The original section of the Grist Mill Trail
connects the famed
swinging bridge in the Avalon Area of the park to Lost
Lake, a special fishing area for children under age 16, senior citizens
and visitors with disabilities, and once a reservoir for the Avalon
Iron and Nail Works and the Baltimore County Water Company. The
1.2-mile extension leads from the swinging bridge to the river's edge
near Ilchester. The new segment brings the total amount of
paved trails in the park to slightly more than 2 1/2 miles and extends
the Grist Mill Trail
to a distance of five miles.
One Saturday afternoon we missed the start of a movie, so I suggested
we take a peek at what lies beyond the bridge on Ilchester Road. We
were shocked to find a wonderful wide path that stretched as far as the
eye could see.
We spent the rest of the afternoon walking the "Grist Mill Trail" to
the VERY shaky bridge, enjoying nature, the sound of the river, the
long squeals and slow shunts of the train going by, the historic
information posts and friendly waves of other families enjoying the
afternoon walk too.
Now our youngest family member has cast off his training wheels and is
riding a tow wheel bike unaided, one of our New Years resolutions is to
bike as a family along this great trail. If you have never experienced
the Patapso Valley State
Park, I urge you to discover it's wonders sooner rather
than later.
Here is a slideshow of our afternoon hike.
All
photos were taken and are the property of Ellie
McIntire. All Rights Reserved. This content may not be
reproduced or reprinted without express written permission
of Ellie McIntire or an officer of The McIntire Team.
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If you are planning to move to the Central
Maryland
area and you want a BUYERS AGENT that really knows the
area and all that it has to offer, I can help. (Personal tours of the
area included in the service)
If you are looking to successfully sell your Maryland
home with a Realtor
who will market your property with multiple resources,
call me for an appointment.
These
are the areas that I serve Buyers or Sellers in the
Metro Baltimore area : Howard
County, Baltimore
County, Baltimore
City, Harford
County, Anne
Arundel County, Carroll
County, Montgomery
County or Prince
Georges County . If you would like more information
please call me, Ellie
McIntire at 443-418-7668 or e-mail
EllieMcIntire@MRIS.com
Ellie
McIntire
The
McIntire Team Real Estate Services.
Keller
Williams Realty Centre
443.
418 7668 (cell)
443.766
1768 (O)
443.766
1769 (E-Fax)
E-mail:
EllieMcintire@MRIS.com
http://www.EllieMcIntire.com
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