The C&O Canal Towpath Near Lock 7 Provides A Great Getaway

Pulling on my boots with the promise of a hike, driving away from the house with Bruce Springsteen on the radio, brought only disappointment this past Sunday as I headed downtown to the office instead of a bucolic trail.

I had committed to try to hike or walk at least several miles one day each week-end. But work responsibilities called and mounds of paper greeted me. After over four hours or so of work in the office and several household errands once back in Bethesda, I decided to saver the last few hours of sunlight. I’m glad I did.

The C&O Canal towpath south of Lock 7, Mile 7 provided a great escape. While one could still hear car noise from Canal Road and see other people on the trail, the foliage and Potomac River views provided an exquisite opportunity to get away without being away.

The temperate weather provided optimism that fall would never have to surrender to winter. Fading greens and hard yellows danced on a liquid canvas as their reflection beamed onto and off of the water near Lock 7. The pond nearby brought back memories of ice skating with my children and neighbor’s children years ago when winters still brought heavy snows.

The trailhead is located on MacArthur Boulevard just south of the one-lane bridge near the intersection of Wilson and MacArthur Boulevards. Add this to your list. This portion of the towpath provides an enjoyable walk near home when getting out of town for a longer hike seems infeasible.