Gwynn Falls Trail, Baltimore, Maryland--Carrollton Viaduct

The Gwynn Falls Trail runs from the Inner Harbor of Baltimore out to a park and ride in the suburbs. We parked at Trailhead 6, which is right next to the Carroll Park Golf Course. The trail follows along Gwynn Falls, a river that feed into the harbor. The trail at this point is paved and large enough for a car or truck. The kids loved playing on the gate keeping just anyone from driving down the path. 

Entering the pathway

The trail has a few interpretive signs that tell the history of the area. This particular part of the river was flat enough for people, including the natives, to cross. 

Explaining how they used to cross the river

The river hiding in the foliage

We came to this part of the trail to see the Carrollton Viaduct. We saw a model of the viaduct last time we visited the B&O Railway Museum. On the way, we saw some cool stuff.

A budding tree

A modern way to cross the river

View of the river from the bridge

The other view

Further on we saw the Viaduct. It was built in 1829, just two years after the founding of the B&O Railroad. The bridge was part of the first train route out to the town of Ellicott Mills (now Ellicott City). The cornerstone was laid by Charles Carrollton, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. Amazingly, the bridge is still in use almost two hundred years later. The locomotives and trains are much heavier than they were back in the day.

Our first sighting of the viaduct, and in use!

The span for pedestrians in 16 feet; the span over the river is 80 feet.

Spanning the river

A small beach is nearby and we took the opportunity to throw stones into the river.

A popular pasttime

I wanted to go further down the trail. My older son decided to go the hard way to the other side of the viaduct.

Another popular pasttime

Closeup of same

My younger son led me through the pedestrian span, which had an appropriately spooky echo inside. 

Heading for fun

The other side of the viaduct has a ramp up to another bridge that goes over both the river and the railroad tracks.

View of the tracks

View of the river

The other kids didn't catch up until we headed back to the viaduct. They had trouble making it through the dense foliage on the other side.

Finding at least one other child

On the way back, we saw the other side of the map, which had some useful local information, including stuff about the B&O Railway roundhouse (now the museum) and the nearby home that Carroll built (now called the Mount Clare Mansion).

Information everywhere!

We'll probably hike more of the trail in the future!