Trolley Line #9 Trail, Maryland

The Trolley Line #9 Trail runs from Catonsville, Maryland, to Ellicott City. The trolley was in service from the 1890s to the 1950s. The route was converted in the 1990s to a walking trail. We went early one summer morning to check it out. We started from the Catonsville side.

Start of the trail

Some sewer heads are still visible along the trail. We wondered if anyone had planned to add housing or commerce along the line. Occasionally we did see some houses from the trail.

Of to the side, a strange structure

The trail winds back and forth with the Cooper Branch, a creek that runs into the Patapsco River.

A bit of Cooper Branch

The trail crosses Oella Avenue which has some delightful commerce--a store called The Breadery. They did not have any inside sales but some baked treats were left outside for walk-up customers to buy on the honor system. We would have bought snacks but we only had a twenty dollar bill and didn't want to buy that many treats! We came too early for change to be in the basket. Maybe next time.

The Breadery

We continued on the trail, knowing at the end another restaurant and bakery would be available.

Back on the road

My daughter found a gigantic leaf. By the time the camera was ready, all that was left was a gigantic stem.

A little disappointed

An interesting rock formation

A side trail leads to Benjamin Banneker Historical Park and Museum.

Another trail

We did not sidetrack but headed on to Ellicott City. Soon we found a wooden bridge leading through a rock cavern. The 1890s work crews had to hand cut the rock out of the way for the trolley.

Approaching the bridge

Another bridge overhead!

The last leg of the path led us by a few houses near downtown Ellicott City. We could see the silos of the flour mill down at the end of the street.

Some residences

The path goes on

We wound up at another bakery where they allowed six people at a time. Since they had two other customers, we went right in! We had a nice assortment--a blueberry muffin, a coconut pineapple muffin, a cinnamon scone, and a bag of chips.

Not the best shot of the bakery

On our way back up the trail, we saw another trailhead for the Banneker Historical Park!

Another way to the park

The trail is beautiful and nicely shady. The main challenge was going back up hill!

Another wall going back to nature

Since the day was hot, we skipped the two or three geocaches along the way. Maybe we'll come back with Mom in tow to get treats at The Breadery and geocahe too!