5/17/2020 Unmaintained trail next to Susquehanna River – Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail – turn around at Shures Landing Rd. at Conowingo Dam – un-named trail through Stafford Rd. bridge – Green trail – Susquehanna Ridge Trail – Red Trail – Rock Run Historic Area
Elevation gain: 440ft
Location: Rock Run Historic Area, Stafford Rd., Havre De Grace MD.
We met up with my friend Chris to spend some time together while exploring this trail. We usually get together nowadays outside since Mag cannot join us in any indoor activities. We’ve parked at the Historic Area parking lot next to Stafford road.
Right away we took to a lookout with a bench where Mag found a snake. It slid down into the vegetation so I don’t have a pic. We hopped back on the unmaintained old railroad track trail and headed North.
Some parts of this unmaintained trail are better than others but watch out for plenty of poison ivy!
There are several opportunities on our right to beach Mag. He loves the water. He waits for me to throw stones around him so he can dig for them in the shallow water.
After reaching the bridge to Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail the trail stays wild for a bit than becomes an elevated, spacious boardwalk.
The trail ends at the parking lot before the Dam. That’s where we turn around and head back South. On the way back we get a glimpse of this gorgeous Great Blue Heron chilling on some small rocks in the middle of the Susquehanna.
We keep left at this small wooden bridge to an un-named trail towards Stafford Rd.
Just before the Stafford Rd. bridge over Deer Creek we come across this Flint Furnace from the 1700s.
I climb out onto the rock wall at the foot of the furnace on the creek side to take some pictures.
These signs are beyond the bridge just before we take another trail back into the forest.
Almost immediately there are several Indian Apples hiding in the ground-cover.
On AllTrails this last stretch of trails have no names but we come across signs showing otherwise. The first half mile runs next to parking and picnic areas even though the greenery covered most. Looking at the map afterwards clearly shows that we are gradually getting closer to Susquehanna River.
I could not identify this interesting plant which had two sets of totally different flowers. At the base of the leaves there is that periwinkle blue bloom than on the top there are those tiny green ones. Mystery….
Just found it. Clustered Black Snakeroot….but….there is no mansion anywhere about the blue flower.
Here is another one I couldn’t find in the app I use.
Meanwhile we come across a sign for the Mason-Dixon Trail (not line).
The forest also opens up just enough to see Susquehanna River down below us rushing towards the south.
Not soon enough for Chris (😉) we arrive at Rock Run. Crossing this small stream is not as easy as it looks….we get a bit wet.
But after crossing it we are in the finish line to getting back to the car. Taking a few photos at the Historic buildings is a must for me.
Almost four and a half hours later we are back at our starting point. Here is our map.
Get out there and enjoy nature! And don’t forget!
The Longest Route 