Turners Gap To Interstate 70

Brief Description of Section
This very easy section crosses a succession of low hills almost entirely on forest roads.

Maps

Map 1	Map 2	Map 3

Points of Interest
The first monument ever erected to George Washington (at 3.0/2.0 mi.), in Washington Monument State Park, offers a spectacular westward view. At Turners Gap, the Old South Mountain Inn and Dahlgren Chapel are of historical interest. Also, part of the Battle of South Mountain was fought in the vicinity of Turners Gap.

Shelters and Campsites

Washington Monument State Park allows camping for youth groups only. Write to Superintendent, Washington Monument State Park, Route 1, Middletown, MD or call 301-432-8065. Camping and fires are prohibited everywhere else in this section.

Supplies, Services, and Accommodations

Boonsboro (2 miles west of Turners Gap) has grocery and hardware stores and a post office.

Water and rest rooms are available at Washington Monument State Park (at 3.2/1.8 mi.). There is a public telephone booth at intersection of Washington Monument and Zittlestown roads (3.4/1.6).

Old South Mountain Inn (at Turners Gap) provides dinner 5-9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday; Saturday noon-10 p.m. and Sunday brunch at 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., regular meals to 8 p.m. No lodging.

Trail Description, South to North

0.0     US Alt-40 at Turners Gap. Ascend pasture to left and rear of stone chapel. (To left is Old South Mountain Inn, used by several Presidents. At least 200 years old, it is one of the oldest public houses along AT. Opposite inn is a Gothic stone chapel (open Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, 1-5 p.m.) built by the widow of Admiral Dahlgren, inventor of the Dahlgren cannon.)

1.0     Path on left leads short distance to small cliff with winter view. Descend.

1.2     Cross two stone fences 70 yd apart.

1.4     Cross Monument Rd.

1.6     Cross Washington Monument Rd. (About 70 yds to left is a telephone booth.) Bear right as Trail begins to parallel Washington Monument Rd and in 10 yds cross entrance road leading into lower monument parking lot.

1.8     Upper parking lot with ranger residence on left. Turn right at bulletin board and ascend path. (Follow edge of parking lot another 80 yds to museum and rest rooms. Water in season.)

2.0     Bear right off paved path. (To left, 40 yds uphill, is first completed monument to George Washington and excellent view. (First built in 1827, and restored by CCC in 1934-36. See “History Along the Trail.” Interior stairs lead to spectacular view from top of monument.)

2.1     Large talus slope left, limited winter view. Be careful of loose rocks.

2.3     Cross high-tension powerline clearing.

2.8     Unmarked path leads right short distance to rocks with good winter view. Descend ahead.

3.5     Old road intersects on right. Go straight. Level.

3.6     Go right off road and onto path at fork. Cross dirt road ahead and ascend through lots of laurel, chestnut oaks, and American chestnut shoots.

3.9     Reach local high point and begin descent.

4.0     Bear left onto unused forest road which continues ascending to right.

4.1     Cross telephone line.

4.2     At ridge line gap, cross paved Boonsboro Mountain Rd and ascend Bartman Hill.

4.4     High point on Bartman Hill; descend through hickory, oak, maple, dogwood, and sassafras.

4.9     Cross paved Boonsboro Mountain Rd diagonally to left and follow tree-lined Trail easement between two houses. Stay on Trail. Then turn left, descend stairs, turn right, and cross footbridge over I-70.

5.0     North end of footbridge over I-70. To continue on Trail, bear sharp left to parallel I-70. (Blue-blazed trail leads straight from bridge 0.15 mi. to large parking lot on US 40.)