Evening star., 1938-08-28
TRY CATOCTIN SOME SUNDAY
Sunday Motor Tour OFF Beaten Track May Include
Park, Maryands Skyline Drive and Water Falls

usual panorama is the one south down
the crest of the ridge to Braddock
Heights where the present U. s. No. 40
crosses
Gambrill State Park is equipped for
picnicking-campsites and flrewood
being provided for 10 cents a party.
One Of the most picturesque features
OF the park Is the custodian. who, in
his stiff corduroy trousers, will direct
you to your fireplace and provide your
wood. His main job, of course, is to
watch for forest fires, but he handles
the park yand its visitors in an ex-
peditious manner. He readily poses
for pictures.
A DJOINING the park on the north
Is the watershed for the City of
Frederick's water supply. The Ridge
road connects the two. II this road
were paved, it would probably be called
Maryland's Skyline Drive. As it is,
only the more adventuresome motor
ist knows of its existence-with its
fine views and lovely woodland seem
cry. Ridge road is gravel recently
worked over, in fairly good condition.
1t is rough in places. Turn right on
Old Deer road to Big Fishing Creek
road.
Big Fishing Creek provides a series
OF cascades at the very edge of the
road, one of the most beautiful spots
IN the watershed. The Frederick
watershed contains 5000 acres, many
streams, a large reservoir, several
camping sites-all reached by over
80 miles Of mountain roads.
At the large reservoir is a beau
tiful camp site with tables, fireplaces
and running water. The watershed
ends here and the road winds down
to U. S. No. Is in the Frederick
Valley. Several goldfish ponds seen
here are characteristic of this valley,
the largest producer Of goldfish and
lily bulbs in the country. Lewistown
has State fish hatchery.
Thurmont is a sports and vacation
center depending on the large noun
tain area to the west for its popu-
larity. The Catoctin range at this
point spreads over more territory, and
South Mountain. farther west, merges
with it to make one large forested
upland cut by rushing streams. This
entire block of land has been set aside
by the National Park Service as
recreational area. which is just a step
below national park.
THERE are several features Of this
area worthy of national park
status. Most outstanding is Cunning
ham Falls. Big Hunting Creek here
drops over 100 feet in three successive
cascades into pool of quiet wood
land beauty. Standing near the pool
one looks up and sees rugged rocks
alternating with foaming white wa
ter, all framed by the greenery of the
trees and seeming to hang from the
sky above. Another delightful pros
pect is from the very top or mouth
Of the gorge. A prominent rock pro-
vides view of rocks and water from
the opposite direction. Rock lodges
beside the rushing water are fine pic
nicking spots. and as the falls are not
very widely known a degree of pri-
vacy is enjoyed at Cunningham.
Other camp and picnic sites in the
Catoctin recrea eational area are pointed
out by appropriate sign posting. Two
peculiar rock formations in the area
are also marked. There is enough
to fill a day full of sightseeing in
Catoctin country. If you cannot make
the trip in the next few weeks, by
all means plan it for the fall, when
the leaves are turning.