Geology Tour Itinerary
FROM WASHINGTON D.C. AND BALTIMORE
From either city you want to take I-70 West towards Hagerstown. We did take a quick detour off I-70 to see the town of Williamsport – a cool river town and then continued on I-70 West to exit 1A to I-68 West/U.S. 40 West Cumberland. Follow I-68 to right hand exit for Sideling Hill.
This portion of the trip is 2 hours from either city. In all honesty, the rest of the itinerary is quite a bit ambitious for a single day trip. You were forewarned.
Get back on I-68 and take Orleans Road northeast to Carrol Road. Turn left on Carrol Road and the Point Lookout scenic view is there. On to Paw Paw Tunnel.
Head northeast on Carroll Road toward Oldtown Orleans Road SE. Make a slight left on to Dave Thomas Road SE, and then on right on to MD-51 North. Left on Oldtown Cemetery Road and a right on Opessa Street.
The total time spent driving through the area, stopping to look at geomorphology and the amazing outcroppings, to take in the scenic views and generally tromp around was about 6 hours (got a little lost!) and then we had a four hour drive home. We could have spent two full days in the area, and next time we will.
CONSIDERATIONS
- This was a very ambitious day trip, it could be broken up and done over two full days.
- The Roadside Geology of Maryland, Delaware and Washington D.C. is invaluable for this trip.
- We took this trip in mid-October and the leaves were in the middle of changing. There was nobody there. A great alternative to the crowded Skyline Drive for leaf peeping.
- If you do go, download your maps as the cellular coverage in Green Ridge Forest is nonexistent.
UNEXPECTED DISCOVERY
Green Ridge State Forest an incredibly large area with numerous recreational opportunities. We were not only super psyched to see all the geology, but there is a gorgeous swimming hole, numerous campsites and not a person to be seen. Rather an amazing place to spend a long weekend in the woods.
FURTHER READING
LET’S EAT!
We usually have a lot of food in the car because we know we get overly ambitious and in the middle of nowhere it’s often hard to find convenient food and of course that’s when someone gets the most hangry.
We exhausted our snacks and it was time for a real meal. We headed to the Clear Spring Diner on Scenic 40. I knew right away it was going to be perfect. We were starving and road weary. The menu is written on white boards with daily specials AND A TON of homemade desserts. The perfect end to a fun day of geology sleuthing.
