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Green Ridge
is the second largest of Maryland's
State Forests, consisting of a
44,000-acre oak-hickory forest. It is
located in eastern Allegany County,
approximately eight miles east of
Flintstone off exit 64 on I-68.
The forest is located in the Ridge and
Valley Province of the Allegheny
Mountain chain. The average annual
precipitation is 36 inches, the lowest
in the state.
Town Hill, Green Ridge and Polish
Mountain elevations vary from 475 feet
at the Potomac River to 2,039
feet on Town Hill. Magnificent views of
the surrounding landscape can be seen
from Point Lookout, Banners, Logroll, Warrior Mountain and No Name Overlooks.
Rich in history, the forest was once the
site for the Carroll Furnace, originally
built as part of a steam powered saw
mill in the 1830's.
Green Ridge as you see it today is
nearly 30,000 acres of unspoiled forest
land. But its modern appearance belies
its history of human use -- and misuse.
There was a time when hardly a tree
stood anywhere in what is now Green
Ridge State Forest due to human
exploitation. If you know where to look
once you are in the forest, there is
plenty of evidence of the history of
that misuse.
In the early 1800's partners Richard
Caton and William Carroll owned much of
the land that is Green Ridge State
Forest today. Richard Caton was the
son-in-law of Charles Carroll of
Carollton, a signer of the Declaration
of Independence. William Carroll was the
grandson of Daniel Carroll of Rock
Creek, a framer of the U.S.
Constitution. Their business venture at
Green Ridge, involving iron ore and
timber, failed. The Carroll Chimney, a
part of a steam-powered sawmill built in
the 1830's, is the only surviving
structure from this period.
The Mertens family from Cumberland,
Maryland acquired the property from the
Carroll heirs. During the late 1800's
and early 1900's, Mertens cut, burned
and converted the forest into an apple
orchard. They promoted it as "the
largest apple orchard in the universe."
This business venture also failed.
Consequently, in 1918 the Mertens went
into bankruptcy.
Green Ridge State Forest officially came
into existence when the State Department
of Forestry acquired portions of this
property in 1931. At this time the
forest was in very poor condition and
consisted of 14,400 acres. Seventy years
later it has grown to 41,000 acres.
Since the 1930's, wild fires have been
reduced, young stands of trees are
reaching maturity, wildlife habitat
conditions have improved, and
opportunities for a variety of outdoor
recreation have increased. The forest is
yielding benefits in greater supply,
including wood products, fish and
wildlife, recreation, wild lands and
natural areas, and protected watersheds.
For those interested in the history of
the area, it is possible to travel on
traces of the Old Town Road on the east
side of the forest. Built during the
1750's as a military road connecting
Fort Frederick with Fort Cumberland by
order of Maryland Governor Sharpe, the
Old Town Road was surveyed by one of
Maryland's greatest frontiersmen Colonel
Thomas Cresap. Follow the road to Old
Town, the oldest settlement in Allegany
County, settled by Colonel Cresap in
1740. "Point Lookout," off of Old Town
Road, is a site overlooking the Potomac
River Valley east. From this perch,
Union soldiers tried to detect
Confederate movements in the valley
during the Civil War. Earlier, 243 acres
of this same land was owned by George
Washington. In addition, Banners
Overlook, Logroll, Warrior Mountain and
No Name Lookout offer spectacular views
of the surrounding landscape. These
areas are popular during the fall color
season and for viewing hawks during
migration.
On Green Ridge Road looking west toward
Warrior Mountain, you can see "The Great
Warrior Path" which runs north and
south, extending from the Great Lakes
through the Carolinas used by Native
American war and hunting parties for
hundreds of years before European
contact through the Colonial period.
Outdoor Recreation at Green Ridge
There are over 27 miles of hiking
trails that trace narrow ridges and
stream valleys in the forest. The trail
connects with the C&O Canal towpath,
providing a 46 mile circuit hike. While
you are in the area visit the C&O Canal
National Historical Park which adjoins
the forest along the Potomac River. The
Paw Paw Tunnel, 3,080 feet in length, is
located on the eastern edge of the
forest. Various hiking trails lead off
from the canal into the forest.
The Green Ridge State Forest Mountain
Bike Trail features a challenging 11.6
mile bike loop in a wilderness setting.
"The Ridge," as it is commonly referred
to, is a single track trail suitable for
intermediate to advanced riders that
winds up and down the ridges and valleys
of the forest. Riders will encounter
technical obstacles such as stream
crossings, fallen trees, steep turns and
sustained climbs. Four "easy-out" routes
are incorporated into the trail allowing
riders to shorten their ride and return
to the start/finish point. Ask for a
Green Ridge State Forest mountain bike
map and guide at the forest's office.
The Ridge Trail is located in a vast
43,000 acre tract of hardwood forest,
and is marked with signs that indicate a
preferred direction of travel and the
mileage in descending order. Green Ridge
State Forest is also an excellent venue
for guided canoe trips and hiking, and
offers approximately 100 primitive
campsites throughout the forest. Hikers
can also take advantage of four new
Adirondack style shelters to be placed
along scenic and remote sections of a 24
mile backpacking trail.
Bond's Landing is the focal point for
boating and canoeing in the eastern part
of Allegany County. A boat ramp here
provides easy access to the Potomac
River, a waterway rich in the history of
Colonial and 19th century Maryland.
View a copy of the Green Ridge State
Forest Trail Guide by
clicking here! This trail
guide, complete with a map of the
multi-use trails, is available for sale
at the Green Ridge State Forest visitor
center.
Park Inquiries: (301) 478-3124
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