Trailing and Tubing with Torrey

The idea was to meet in Monkton, rent tubes, hike north and float down Gunpowder Falls for the rest of the afternoon. That changed with the addition of Ashley’s mom and three dogs. Instead, we met in Parkton, closer to their Pennsylvania home, and hiked south with the menagerie. It was fortuitous because we saw more of the trail and those who regularly use it.

The trail head at Parkton is next to an old stone building, once the community bank and now a wellness center. A day spa is in what looks like a former mill building on the other side. Waiting for the others, I struck up a conversation with an equestrian as she unloaded her van. She’d been riding the trail for more than 20 years. It was one of her horse’s favorite places. (He didn't look like Mr. Ed, but I took her word for it.) As she trotted off, a family with two small children pedaled by in the opposite direction. A few minutes later, someone’s track team (matching uniforms) puffed through. Before we even started, I could see it was going to be a busy day on the trail.

We strolled at a leisurely pace for about three miles. While the beauty of the park and our occasional crossings of the creek were our focus on the trip down, the history markers, train artifacts, and small villages were more of interest on the way back. DNR provides this state facility with a sense of place. Stories with vintage photos relate how the railroad was the integral part of the mills and factories along its route. Some of the old signal switches and crossing gate posts remain as reminders of the trail's origin.

After our six mile hike we had a cast change. Mom and the canine corps went home and Ashley’s sister was lured for the tubing adventure (having been promised she wouldn’t get wet, a blatant fib.)

We drove to Monkton where a charming village has sprung around the old train station and historic hotel. The train station is now the trail visitor center and rest station. The one time hotel, which once catered to Baltimore elite escaping the city heat, was our destination. That’s where an enterprising entrepreneur rents tubes, kayaks, bike and kid carriers for the trail and creek.

We took our three tubes (“See, they have a bottom in them so you don’t get wet”) and toted them north on the trail. (OK, I rolled mine. After the hike I was running out of gas.) After about ten minutes of hoofing, we found the access to the creek and waded in. (It was then Emily discovered the holes in tube floor and knew she’d been had.)

Despite all the rain, the creek was fairly shallow. In fact, the member of our party with the most ample posterior dragged bottom a few times. (Thank God for slippery rocks.) The depth didn’t discourage the kayakers and canoe that glided by us, though. They had come from much farther up the river and would going much farther down. The shallow section around Monkton was only a hiccup, according to one who paddled past me.

Truthfully, our float was far more leisure than exercise. It took about an hour and a half, as we lingered in mill pond conditions several places. We also had lots of company. Tubing on the Gunpowder is a family-oriented outdoors activity because it is so accessible and devoid of real drama. (If you want a theme park analogy, this is more Lazy River than Roman Rapids.)

The creek was never more than a few feet deep. The only one in the party to get anything other than a damp bottom was the dummy who tried to change position on the tube and got t-boned by the flotilla of sisters. (Yes, the Gunpowder is spring fed and VERY brisk when you get dunked.)

After a good hike (or even without it) the tube float is a refreshing way to cap a trip on the Torrey. Yes, you get muddy scrambling up the hill afterwards, but the tube tycoon is happy to hose you down. The snack stand in the same building has wonderful homemade ice cream and plenty of room outside to enjoy it.

The Torrey Brown Trail is a Maryland treasure. You can learn more about the Monkton tube/bike rentals here.

Impressions –– the friendliness of the people encountered. Lots of sniffing among canines. Safe surface for kids to learn (saw more than a few training wheels) and seniors on coasters. Smiles and greetings from people coming towards you; courteous bells and “on your left” alerts from those passing behind.

Attire – Amazing how many trail users were wore team uniforms or shirts touting an athletic event or environmental cause. (Ashley wore her politically correct Clean Green shirt.) We passed a few World Wildlife Federation advocates. I’m sorry I left my Tour Dem Parks, Hon souvenir at home.

Coolness –– the trail is almost entirely in the shade. The trees that grew along the tracks after it was abandoned have been allowed to spread their canopy over the trail. Makes the air clearer and cooler.

Family friendly -- Didn’t notice until the trip back, but the trail is almost level. There is only a very slight grade going north. Although it lacks challenge for hard core runners and cyclists, it makes a pleasant perambulation for multi-generational outings.

Talking Trash -- The irony is the trash. Rather the lack thereof. The Torrey Brown Trail is amazingly free of litter –– even doo-doo. It is DNR policy that Maryland State parks not have trash cans, because they overflow, scatter refuse, and attract animals. This message is posted, along with the reminder for visitors to take their trash (including poop) with them. Amazingly, they do.

Ironic because trash was one of the biggest obstacles to building the trail in the first place. In the 10+ years after the railroad was abandoned, the corridor served as a linear landfill for everything from tires to washing machines and all the rubble in between. Worse, the no-man’s land was used for target practice, all night parties and other nuisance activities. Even so, the prospect of a public trail on the property was considered even worse. It was when DNR volunteers came in and removed tons of trash from the rail bed that residents realized a well managed state amenity like a ribbon park could be an asset rather than a liability to their quality of life.

All that NIMBY nonsense is in the past. Today, the neighbors and small villages dotting the trail celebrate its existence with gardens, mini parks, historic markers, community bulletin boards and even a backyard snack stand. On July 4th, there was a patriotic parade of decorated bicycles from Sparks to Monkton. The trail has created a community of its own and every Marylander should visit.