Today, I'll be showing you a different area of the Torrey C. Brown Trail that is formerly known as the NCR Trail. I entered at Parking Lot 1 - 1302 Paper Mill Rd #1300, Cockeysville, MD 21030. I've always known it as the NCR Trail and the last time I was at this location was approximately 15 years ago. Back then I biked the trail and on this visit I walked it up to the Big Gunpowder Falls River. It is a wide and paved trail that is big enough to accomodate bicyclists, walkers, joggers and riders on horseback. They also allow you to bring your dog so long as he or she is on a leash. If you want to bike it and don't have a bike then there is a bike rental just across the street and the rates are reasonable. The shop is Hunt Valley Village Bike Rentals & River Tubes 1235 Paper Mill Rd S.E., Hunt Valley, MD 21031 and this is their website. Now ... lets go check out the trail! We parked on Lot 1 and there was ample parking. At one end there is a park like setting with benches to sit and a couple of plaques at the entrance. There is a water fountain but it was turned off due to covid.
The plaque in the first photo reads:
"North Central Railroad Trail"
"COMPLETED IN 1832, THE NORTH CENTRAIL RAILROAD CARRIED PASSENGERS AND FREIGHT BETWEEN BALTIMORE, YORK AND HARRISBURG FOR 140 YEARS. AFTER THE DECLINE OF THE RAILROAD THE RAILROAD BED WAS CONVERTED TO A RAIL TRAIL IN 1984. TODAY THE MARYLAND PORTION OF THE TRAIL IS TWENTY MILES LONG AND IS MANAGED BY THE MARYLAND DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS PART OF THE GUNPOWDER FALLS STATE PARK. YORK COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA MANAGES AN ADDITIONAL 20 MILES FROM THE MASON-DIXON LINE TO YORK, PENNSYLVANIA."
Here is the ramp that leads down to the trail and a bulletin board with some park info at the bottom.
The following photos show the trail, some pretty flowers along the trail and some green scenery. Things have changed some (a lot) since my last visit all those years ago and the foliage is much more abundant now.
While there we (husband and I) came across some "ruins" including this old Lime Kiln. The plaque here reads:
"Lime Kiln"
Lime Kilns in this area were built into hillsides for support. A fire was maintained at the bottom of the pit and crude lime from a nearby source was thrown on top of it. The heat from the fire would separate the pure powder form of the lime from the other rocks and minerals. Lime in Balt. Co. was used to white-wash buildings, as a disinfectant, and poured over dead bodies to slow decay. Although the exact age of this kiln is not known, it probably was constructed in the late 1800's."
It was right about here that I could hear some beautiful flute music but I had no idea where it was coming from. We continued on and saw some mushrooms along the way, a natural stonewall and there were several benches along the way if one needed to stop and rest.
The next thing that we came across looked to be the remnants of an old bridge. I wondered if it could be the bridge that was burned that I read of on a plaque at the entrance. I can't say if it is but I have a feeling that it isn't as I would think it would be decayed more. I couldn't find any kind of marker that may give more info but it was an interesting thing to see regardless.
Right up here is the bridge over the Big Gunpowder Falls River. I think this may be the bridge that was burned and it was rebuilt. Here there are amenities should one need and a bike rack where you can lock up your bike in case you want to walk down to the river.
A view from one side of the bridge and a couple from the opposite side.
It was also from the bridge that I found where the beautiful flute music was coming from. A gentleman was playing down below on a small island off the trail and right by the river. I was interested to find out who he was and an internet search provided the answer. His name is Marlin Ballard and he decided to play his music there to help people take their minds off of covid. He plays beautifully and it was a delight to hear! It was so relaxing that I didn't even think to record it..sorry! Source
We headed down a trail to the water and saw an old building in ruins. I wondered what it was used for as it was a small building. I was also tempted to get a closer look but thought it best not to wander too close.
The following are some water views and some views of the bridge.The bridge looks a little spooky from here too!
Back up the little hill and a last shot of the old building in ruins and back on the trail to head back to the parking lot.
On my way back I saw some pretty Goldenrod plants and Pale Jewelweed!
On my walk I saw a lot of interesting and beautiful things. I did see a lot of birds but the sightings were fleeting as they darted in and out of the brush. I did see one little creature that was both colorful and cute but I didn't see it looking up or around! I saw it as I was looking down and I was actually surprised how quick he or she was!
Before long we were back to our starting point and although I had an awesome time I was tired and ready to get home. I hope you enjoyed joining me on my visit to the Torrey C. Brown Trail aka the NCR Trail! 💖
Thank you 