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Hikers will meet at Violette’s Lock, #23 on the C&O Canal at 11:00 am. From River Road, turn down Violette’s Lock Road and drive to the end and park at the gravel parking lot.
The hike will go from Violette’s Lock to Pennyfield Lock and return; round trip is four miles. Hikers will view lock #23, the inlet lock #2 and feeder dam #2. We will view the historic milestone that reads, “22 MILES to W.C.” There will be splendid views of the rapids in the Potomac River as we walk along the towpath. We will walk by sheer cliffs on the berm side of the canal that are 150’ high. We will walk past culvert #30 which carries the Muddy Branch beneath the canal. We will stop at lock #22, known as Pennyfield Lock before returning back up the towpath. Total time for the hike is two hours. Hikers should bring water, lunch or a snack with them.
Upon his retirement from NASA in 2014 Jon Wolz became a prominent local historian, author, and dedicated volunteer in Poolesville, Maryland, widely recognized for his deep expertise on the C&O Canal National Historical Park. His involvement with the canal stretches back to his youth, notably testifying before a Senate subcommittee as an Eagle Scout in December 1970 to help secure its national historical park designation. He has authored over 100 historical articles for the Monocacy Monocle newspaper and has written articles for the publication Along The Towpath. He serves as the Poolesville representative for the Canal Towns Partnership. He is the President, Sons of the American Revolution, General William Smallwood Chapter in Montgomery County. He frequently partners with the Poolesville Seniors and the C&O Canal Association to lead educational history hikes, river crossings, and informational panels. Contact information for Jon Wolz is 240-888-5367