It’s such a beautiful day. I found myself looking out the window at work and wishing that I was walking along the canal. I guess it will have to wait until Sunday!
16 Sep
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Posted by Jack Chesson on September 16, 2011 at 10:15 pm
Yes, it is beautiful there. I visited the Fifteen Mile campground in August and was really impressed with that wonderful part of the canal. The towpath appears really well preserved. Took lots of pictures so I could remember it well. I want to go back to camp there now with cooler weather.
Does the NPS Fifteen Mile campground fill up on weekends? During the week? Is Bill’s Place open on weekends or during the week? I checked out the Little Orleans campground nearby, but it costs more and tent camping has no electricity, toilets, or water. Does it fill up in fall?
And lastly, there was little water in the Potomac at Fifteen Mile in August. Understandable due to the drought, but it’s disheartening to look out and see mainly rocks. We want to camp for a few days, kayak on the Potomac if possible, and do a shuttle to bike back from the Paw Paw tunnel.
Any information you could provide would be very helpful since I’ve only visited the trail there once. But I know it well from Shepherdstown to Georgetown from several years of trail biking.
Thanks for any help you can provide,
Jack Chesson
Posted by 76pounds on September 17, 2011 at 12:39 am
Hi Jack,
Generally, there is plenty of room at the campground, but on occasion there is a Boy Scout function or a biker rally at Bill’s which may take up the whole site. However, from my observations, this isn’t very often. With cooler weather on the way, I don’t think you’ll have any problems.
Bill’s Place is definitely open on the weekend. A small crowd is always in front of the TV watching NASCAR or a football game. I have seen it closed during weekdays–in a manner of speaking. Sometimes when things are slow, the door is locked. However, the door buzzer usually rouses somebody in the back.
I mentioned in another post that Bill is a legend in the upper Potomac valley, and his establishment is really something to see. It is quirky and fun, but it’s also an essential watering hole for hikers and bikers. While it does have a certain old-time charm, you never know what to expect…last time we were there he was selling “Bill’s Place” thongs and skull caps!
Lately, we have gotten plenty of rain in the area, and a week ago the Potomac was running very high. It tends to drop quickly whenever the rain stops, but there won’t be a shortage of water for a good while. I’ve never fished in Little Orleans, but I’ve had pretty good luck with smallmouth bass in the area of the Paw Paw bends.
On your next trip, I would highly recommend hiking over the Paw Paw Tunnel on the Tunnel Hill Trail. It’s no place for a bike, but when the trees are down it offers a beautiful view of the Potomac River! I hope you have a great camping trip and bike ride!
Posted by Melissa on September 16, 2011 at 10:53 pm
We’ve finally gotten some long awaited rain. It’s been slow and steady and the ground is soaking it up as quickly as it falls.
Posted by 76pounds on September 16, 2011 at 11:29 pm
We’ve had more rain than we know what to do with, but fortunately, the river didn’t flood on our end of the park!
Posted by thomasaitken01 on September 19, 2011 at 1:58 am
I do have a bit more information for Jack: while he was president, Little Orleans was supposedly Herbert Hoover’s favorite fishing spot.