Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1957-07-12

IOr several weeks spent
Canal between Washington and
Seneca. We have walked every
foot Of the towpath, some
stretches several times, have
explored most of the paths
leading from the canal to the
river and other points, talked
to people we met and have been
up and down all sorts of side
roads to find the best ways of
reaching the canal.
We wanted to see just what
the recreation facilities are, and
whether they are being used.
The facilities are simple but
plentiful for hiking. fishing,
canoeing, boating and picnick-
ing. And it's surprising how
much they are used.
The canal and river, be-
tween Washington and Seneca,
are nowhere difficult to reach,
The longest stretch between
approaches is 3 miles, the ia
nous "Three-Mile Level" of
canal boating days between
Great Falls and SWANS Lock.
There is another stretch of
similar length between SWANS
and Pennyfield.
Hiking Is Easy
The most beautiful stretch
is that from below SWANS to
Pennyfield, about 4 miles,
where the Potomac is for the
most part right next to the
canal. Some of the vistas of
little islands. rifles and smooth
stretches of the river are
breathtaking. This is the area
right above where they propose
to build the dam. There is a
waterfowl sanctuary not far
above Pennyfield.
Hiking along the towpath Is
very easy everywhere except
for o. short washed-out rocky
stretch above Cropley, and that
part presents only minor diff
culties. Women in high heels
might have trouble, no one else
would.
The pleasanter stretches of
the towpath all are above Chain
Bridge where there are no
paralleling roads. The stretch
from Georgetown to Chain
Bridge gives an idea of what it
will be like If those who want a
road along the canal have their
way. Hiking is easier on the
feet above Brookmont. From
Georgetown to Brookmont,
crushed bluestone has been
spread on the towpath. Above
Brookmont the path is in its
natural grassy state.
Trail Is Obscure
Where the river is not right
next to the canal, there gen.
orally are paths to the best
parts Of the river. The Stub
blefield Falls behind Carderock
is one such place, although
the famous old Billygoat Trail
there mostly is grown up and
hard to find.
That section of the Billygoat
Trail on Bear Island above
Cropley is in better condition,
although the start is obscure.
This trail is worth improving
because it takes in a very spec
tacular route along the Pali-
Sades above the Potomac gorge.
Picnicking is even more
popular than hiking along the
canal. The big picnic area at
Great Falls is the best. The
next best. with many tables
and large shady grass areas,
but no drinking water, is be-
hind Carderock. but it takes
a walk Of more than a mile to
reach it. A road to a bridge
that used to make it available,
and a tunnel under the canal
further up. have been absorbed
py expansions Of the David
Taylor Model Basin.
A smaller but good picnic
area with drinking water and
toilet facilities is at Brookmont,
lock 5. There are picn.C tables,
but no other facilities behind
Glen Echo. above Cabin John
about a half mile beyond
Eighty-Second place (Carderock
is another half mile beyond
this) and at SWANS Lock. And
OF course you can hold a picnic
anywhere you please along the
river or canal without tables.
Sunfish Plentiful
Fishing also goes on every
where. We didn't see anything
except catfish or carp caught
In the canal below Chain
Bridge. but further up things
get better. It's mostly sunfish.
with an occasional modest bass.
In the canal. In some places
the sunnies are really plantiful.
We saw q beautiful string, go
ing UP to 6 inches. caught by
q l2-year-old not far below
SWANS.
In the river. bass fishing is