Leader: Joe Marx
Members $33; nonmembers $46
The Widewater section of C&O Canal downstream from the Great Falls Tavern in Maryland offers dramatic erosional features and gnarled outcrops. While local bedrock was deposited and metamorphosed during the assembly of Pangea, the riverine landscape of today developed in response to continental glaciation to our north. On a 3-mile loop hike starting from the Widewater parking area opposite Old Angler’s Inn, our leader will use the scenery to outline this popular area’s geologic history. We’ll hike upstream on the Towpath to the Canal’s stop gate, and then return on the Berma Road which runs along the opposite side of the Canal bed. The Towpath is uniformly level with a graveled surface in most places, while the old Berma Roadway is natural surface, slightly hilly, and sometimes rocky or muddy. Note that this field trip will move at a face pace than our usual naturalist’s shuffle. REGISTER